Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

US: Hamed Saber has won the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association (RIMA) International’s Alexander Schwartz Award. The awarded recognises notable reflective products industry representatives who have advanced the industry through their contributions. Saber has authored over 150 papers, with sponsors including the US Department of Energy, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. RIMA International said that Saber’s work has been instrumental in progressing the industry from one-dimensional to three-dimensional analysis within the industry, which it called the ‘third spike’ in the history of reflective insulation technology.

The association said “RIMA International is pleased to recognise Dr Hamed Saber for all he has contributed on behalf of this organisation and the industry it represents throughout his professional career. The industry has benefited greatly from his efforts, and it couldn’t go to a more deserving person.”

US: Kingspan Insulated Panels North America is building a new K-Roc mineral wool insulation plant in Mattoon, Illinois. The producer expects the plant to commence operations in early 2025. It will be equipped with a solar power plant and rainwater harvesting system, recycling system and electric vehicle charging stations. When operational, it will employ 50 people. Kingspan’s K-Roc mineral wool insulation offers a three-hour fire rating in wall applications and one-hour fire rating in ceiling applications.

Kingspan Insulated Panels North America president Alswinn Kieboom said "As a result of continued growth and optimism for the future, the addition of this new facility complements our existing footprint in North America, giving us better access to our customer base. We are looking forward to launching this new site and having a presence in the Midwest."

US: Owens Corning has published its 2023 Sustainability Report, highlighting its advances in sustainability in the past year. These included a 59% share of revenues from reduced-CO₂ products, with a 25% share of revenues from 14 products certified as produced with 100% renewable electricity. Scope 1 and 2 emissions fell by 28% from 2018 levels, in line with the group’s 50% 2030 reduction target. It launched a pilot bitumen felt shingle recycling programme, aimed at recycling 2Mt/yr of shingles in the US by 2030. Further, Owens Corning reduced its generation of landfill waste by 14% from 2018 levels, and launched a Circular Economy Recycling Technology Innovation Laboratory in Granville, Ohio. In 2023, the group’s incident rate was 81% below the industry average, and it remains on track to meet its 2030 inclusion and diversity goals.

Senior vice president and chief sustainability officer David Rabuano said “Our 2030 sustainability goals are growing ever closer, and we believe that the targets we have set for ourselves are well within our reach. This confidence is the result of our employees’ unparalleled engagement and enthusiasm for our mission coupled with our investments in the innovation required to execute new solutions.”

Chair and CEO Brian Chambers said “Owens Corning demonstrated outstanding financial and sustainability results in 2023, showcasing the power of our company’s mission to build a sustainable future through material innovation. This report reflects the global scope of our people and our products and the many ways they work to make the world a better place.”

Owens Corning recorded net sales of US$9.68bn in 2023, down by 1% from US$9.76bn in 2022, while its adjusted earnings before interest and taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 2% to US$2.31bn.

US: Rockwool North America plans to build a new US$175m stone wool insulation plant at Wallula Gap, Washington. The Denmark-based producer has acquired 101 hectares of land at the Port of Walla Walla, local press has reported. The upcoming plant will produce insulation using Washington’s abundant igneous rock.

Rockwool North America already operates two other US plants, at Byhalia in Mississippi and Ranson in West Virginia, alongside a further two in Canada. It employs 1100 people, and this will rise by 11% to over 1200 people following the entry into operation of the Wallula Gap plant.

US: The National Insulation Association (NIA) and the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) have signed a Joint Standards Development Agreement. The agreement establishes a unified mechanical insulation standards programme.

NIA CEO Michele Jones said “This partnership represents a significant milestone for the NIA and the broader insulation industry. By aligning our efforts with AMPP, we’re not just setting new standards but driving standardisation and efficiency in insulation applications across various sectors. This collaboration is a step forward in our commitment to sustainability, decarbonisation, safety and enhancing the value insulation brings to the global market.”

US: Saint-Gobain has acquired the business assets of speciality insulation products company International Cellulose Corporation (ICC). Saint-Gobain said that the acquisition strengthens its leadership in light and sustainable construction. ICC will become part of Saint-Gobain subsidiary CertainTeed's Commercial Building and Infrastructure business. ICC employs 50 people at its plant in Houston, Texas.

Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed president and CEO Mark Rayfield said “With plant fibre-based spray insulation products that allow commercial spaces to be more energy efficient, safe and comfortable, ICC is a perfect fit for Saint-Gobain North America. I look forward to welcoming the ICC team to the Saint-Gobain family and working together to meet our sustainability goals and our purpose: Making the World a Better Home.”

US: Owens Corning has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of door systems producer Masonite International Corporation for US$3.9bn. This acquisition marks a diversification into the residential building sector for Owens Corning, providing it with a new growth platform on which to leverage its capabilities.

Owens Corning chair and CEO Brian Chambers said "We are excited by this opportunity to add a scalable new growth platform for our company. Masonite is a market leader that complements our existing residential interior and exterior product offering and has consistently demonstrated top-line growth and margin expansion. The combination of our commercial, operational and innovation capabilities allows us to accelerate our long-term enterprise growth strategy with a clear line of sight to meaningful synergies and increased cash flow generation. We look forward to welcoming the talented Masonite team to Owens Corning and working with them to deliver enhanced value to customers and shareholders.”

US: Owens Corning celebrated its inclusion on the Sustainability World Index for its 14th consecutive year on 14 December 2023. Companies’ S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) contributed towards their assessment for the index. Owens Corning has a score of 85.

Chair and chief executive officer Brian Chambers said "Our industry-leading score is a testament to Owens Corning's unwavering commitment to sustainability and our progress toward achieving our 2030 sustainability goals. We remain dedicated to providing sustainable solutions to our customers and making a positive impact on the world."

US: Owens Corning commenced construction of its planned US$60m Russellville extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation plant in Arkansas. When commissioned in 2025, the plant will employ 50 people and produce Owens Corning’s Foamular NGX XPS insulation. Local press has reported that the move represents the company’s third expansion in Arkansas since the start of 2022. It has been present in the state since 1985.

Owens Corning vice president and general manager, foam insulation, Rodney Wideman said "This new plant and today's groundbreaking ceremony represents commitment to our customers' growth and the Russellville community.”

US: Germany-based Knauf Insulation celebrated the 45th anniversary of its US operations earlier in November 2023. The producer first entered the market following its acquisition of the Shelbyville glass wool insulation plant in Indiana in 1978. It has since grown its business from 450 employees at the Shelbyville plant to 1600 employees across six different sites.

Knauf North America CEO Matt Parrish said “Our commitment to innovation and sustainability has been a driving force behind our continued success and we are excited for what the future holds. As we look ahead, we will continue to prioritise our employees, customers, and the communities we serve, with a focus on creating innovative solutions that shape the way we live and build."