Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Finland/Spain: Finland-based UPM Biochemicals and Spain-based URSA have developed a new type of glass wool insulation that uses a proprietary lignin-resin binder. The companies have worked together to optimise the binder composition for both performance and smooth runnability on URSA’s production lines. UPM Biochemicals says that UPM BioPiva lignin is a “sustainably produced, cost-effective and versatile raw material that has proven valuable in the creation of many value-added industrial applications, especially in lignin-based phenolic resins.”

Christian Hübsch, Director Sales & Marketing at UPM Biochemicals said “We are thrilled about having reached this milestone together with our partners from URSA, as it marks a potentially disruptive innovation for the insulation materials industry in general, and a great achievement for URSA with its long-held vision to go green and to reduce the carbon footprint of its products,”

Wolfgang Marka, Managing Director of URSA-Adria, added “We undertook long-term studies with UPM Biochemicals to assess the viability of replacing synthetic resins with a new bio-based binder and we are excited to produce one of the most sustainable glass wool insulation materials available.”

UPM Biochemicals develops and sells wood-based biochemicals for use in a variety of industries including insulation. It is building an industrial-scale biorefinery in Leuna, Germany to convert solid wood into biochemicals.

URSA produces both mineral wool and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation products in Europe. It is a subsidiary of Etex.

Belgium: Etex's sales were Euro3.74bn in 2022, up by 25% year-on-year from 2021 levels. The group's insulation sales were Euro312m, 8.3% of the group total for the year. Its recurring earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (REBITDA) totalled Euro645m, up by 13%. During 2022, Etex reduced its absolute CO₂ emissions by 20% compared with 2018 levels.

Regarding insulation sales, the producer said "The early months of 2022 saw very strong volumes, followed by modest drops. Insulation’s results were impacted by issues surrounding inflation, gas, power and raw materials but the energy savings aspect of insulation made glass wool and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation even more attractive than previous years."

Etex expanded its insulation business during the year through its acquisition of Spain-based URSA.

Russia: URSA Eurasia has appointed Alexander Trubitsyn as its general director for the production of thermal insulation materials. Previously he held the position of the Director of Production and Logistics at the company. Trubitsyn succeeds Denis Shvydkoi in the post. Shvydkoi will manage international projects for URSA Group, based at the company's head office.

Spain: Etex has completed its acquisition of extruded polystyrene (XPS) and glass wool insulation producer URSA from Xella Group. URSA operates 13 plants and employs 1700 people.

Xella CEO Christophe Clemente said “With this portfolio simplification, Xella takes an important step, to focus its resources on the development of building materials solutions. With our complementary product types, autoclaved aerated concrete and calcium silicate products, we aim to strengthen our position as a leading European supplier of masonry solutions. I warmly thank the URSA teams for their achievements during the successful past years within Xella Group and wish them a bright future with Etex.”

Spain: Etex has signed a deal with Germany-based Xella Group for the acquisition of its subsidiary URSA. The Belgium-based group says that the move confirms its portfolio shift towards lightweight construction materials. URSA produces its expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS) and glass and mineral wool insulation across a total of 13 sites and has operations in 20 European countries.

Chief executive officer Bernard Delvaux said “The acquisition of URSA confirms the portfolio shift initiated a few years ago by Etex to become a global leader in lightweight and modular construction. This acquisition is a strategic fit for Etex combining a new growth platform with a strong focus on sustainability. I have been truly impressed by both the quality of the management at URSA and its sound business model. I look forward to welcoming our new teammates to Etex and embarking on a prosperous future together.”

Italy: Ursa has launched a new extruded polystyrene (XPS) panel product called Ursa Maior. The insulation producer says that the product, Ursa Maior S27P, is the first and only extruded polystyrene thermal insulation panel that combines a thermal conductivity rate of 0.027W/mK with high compressive strength of 300kPa. Other features include water resistance and resilience to freeze and thaw cycles. It is being produced at Ursa’s Bondeno plant.

Germany: Xella International has announced changes to the management of its subsidiary Ursa. Jochen Friedrichs has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of its subsidiary Ursa. He will also join the Xella Group Executive Committee. Xella said Friedrichs was responsible for the acquisition of Ursa on the Xella side of and therefore holds ‘detailed’ knowledge of both Ursa and Xella.

Other appointments include the assignment of Björn Baum as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Ursa. He will also remain as the Head of Xella Group’s Energy Management. Joaquín Lozano Agramunt will retain his position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Ursa. In addition, Ana Lluch Martinez, Chief Legal and HR, and Gonzalo de las Alas-Pumariño, Head of Technology and Projects, will become members of the Ursa Executive Committee.

Xella International announced that it was buying Spain’s Ursa in August 2017. The European Commission approved the acquisition of the insulation producer by Xella in October 2017. The acquisition is expected to compete by the end of 2017.

Europe/Spain: The European Commission has approved, under the European Union (EU) merger regulation, the acquisition of Spanish insulation producer URSA by Germany’s Xella. The commission concluded that the acquisition would raise no competition concerns because of the limited overlaps between the activities of the companies. The deal was first announced in August 2017 and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

Spain: Spanish insulation firm URSA is to be sold by investment firm KKR to Germany’s Xella International GmbH. The sale is subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities and is expected to be closed by the end of 2017. No value for the deal has been disclosed to date.

“We are looking forward to becoming part of the Xella Group,” said URSA CEO Pepyn Dindant. “Xella is a very successful company in the building materials industry and deeply understands our markets, customer needs and products. This will give us important impulses for our profitable growth strategy that we will keep on implementing with high priority and strong client focus.”

“Especially in recent years, URSA has delivered outstanding performance,” said Dr Jochen Fabritus, CEO of Xella Group. “We highly appreciate what URSA’s executives and employees have achieved and are looking forward to welcoming them as part of the Xella family. Consequently, URSA will become an independent business unit to continue its successful development. Xella will support URSA with all measures that are appropriate to achieve further profitable growth.”

Xella says that, while URSA will operate as an independent business unit focused on the specific needs of its clients in the insulation sector, there are various areas in which both companies will benefit from each other. URSA completes Xella’s portfolio of mineral-based building materials, creating opportunities to combine products of the new brand into innovative solutions. Also, in terms of size, geographical spread and management structure, URSA is very similar to Xella’s existing business units, allowing for a fast and smooth integration process.

Belgium: Ursa’s plant in Desselgem has gained ISO 140001 certification for the design, production and sales of glass wool insulation. The international standard specifies all the necessary requirements to establish an Environmental Management System, which will aid the environmental performance of the company. In addition the certification allows the company’s products to be sold more easily in the UK as they can now be readily specified in buildings being assessed under BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.