Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Ireland: Kingspan says that its latest modifications to its GreenGuard GG300 insulation boards have further reduced their thermal conductivity to 0.033W/mK. Specification Online News has reported that the producer says that this will facilitate slimmer construction while still meeting U-values, especially important in high compressive strength-applications such as inverted roofs and flooring. Accordingly, the boards are now also available in a new, slimmer 180mm thickness. The entire range of GreenGuard GG300 boards integrates with Kingspan's BIM Designer software platform.

Germany: Bauder has launched BauderECO FF, an 80% biomass polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation for flat roofs. Construction Management News has reported that the product offers 75% reduced CO₂ compared with conventional PIR insulation, and is compatible with the Bauder Total Roof System and Thermofol warm roof waterproofing products.

Lithuania: Russia-based TechnoNicol has divested its Baltic roofing and waterproofing membranes business, Mida, to France-based Soprema. The business includes plants in Lithuania. TechnoNicol acquired Mida in 2001. BNS News has reported that its sales dropped by 17% to €38m in 2023, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Mida said "Mida has completely cut off all ties with its former owner, Technonicol. Mida is beginning a new stage in the growth of its business in Europe."

US: Continental Materials has appointed Ralph Bove as senior vice president strategy and growth. The company newly created the role for Bove, as part of its efforts to enhance its national presence in roofing distribution. Bove’s background includes both branch and executive management levels in national and regional independent roofing distribution. Continental Materials says that his leadership will help to ensure the continuous improvements needed to meet current and future demand and changes in the roofing industry. Continental Materials produces fibre insulation boards for roofing, alongside other materials for roofing systems.

President and CEO Peter Fischer said "We are excited to make this addition to our team. Ralph's experience in the roofing distribution business and his vast industry knowledge makes him a strong asset as we continue to expand our business and product offerings nationally. With the addition of Ralph and his professional capabilities, we continue to show our commitment to the industry with strategic growth and additional support for our valued customers."

Austria: Strabag has acquired hemp insulation producer Naporo Klima Dammstoff from Synthesa. SeeNews has reported that Strabag expects the acquisition to help it to expand its product range in line with its 2040 decarbonisation target. Meanwhile, Naporo Klima Dammstoff says that it will work with Strabag to explore new applications for its products, including in green roofs and as acoustic insulation.

Synthesa managing director Georg Bluemel said “In Strabag, we have found a partner who will continue to write Naporo’s success story in the future. We look forward to additional growth prospects for the company and its employees.”

Ireland: Kingspan’s sales declined by 3% to Euro8.09bn in 2023 from Euro8.34bn in 2022. Its insulation sales fell by 8% and its insulated panels sales by 9%. Meanwhile, roofing and waterproofing sales grew to reach Euro500m. The group’s profit after tax rose by 6% to Euro654m from Euro616m. It invested Euro248m in new acquisitions throughout the year. Kingspan plans to invest Euro750m up to 2028 in order to capture 15% of the flat roofing market in North America.

CEO Gene Murtagh "Beyond insulation, each of our climate-focussed business units across roofing and waterproofing, light, air and water and data and flooring are scaling at pace with every potential for each to exceed Euro1bn divisional revenue over the coming years.” Murtagh added “Given our robust balance sheet, strong development pipeline, strong structural demand for energy efficiency and the ever increasing and obvious impacts of climate change, we expect 2024 to be a year of continuing strategic and operational progress for Kingspan.”

India: France-based Saint-Gobain has acquired waterproofing systems producer Menkol Industries. Menkol Industries operates a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) products plant in the Kinfra Industrial And Textile Park in Kanjikkode, Kerala.

US: Holcim Building Envelope supplied insulation and roofing systems, including its Elevate ISOGARD polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation boards, to the 62-storey Winthrop Center tower block in Boston, Massachusetts. The Winthrop Center is the largest office building ever built on the Passive House positive energy efficiency model. Holcim Building Envelope says that its insulation and roofing systems deliver 40% better thermal performance than competing products, helping the block to achieve a 150% reduction in net energy use compared to an average Class A building in Boston.

Holcim Building Envelope commercial roofing systems & lining president Kristin Beck said "The Passive House certification of the Winthrop Center highlights the superior sustainable performance and quality of our Elevate products. This certification reinforces the effectiveness of Holcim's innovative building envelope solutions in significantly reducing energy consumption, and it also sets a standard for sustainable construction in cold climate regions."

Canada: Saint-Gobain has entered into a definitive agreement to buy Building Products of Canada for around Euro925m in cash. The privately owned company manufactures residential roofing shingles and wood fibre insulation panels. The acquisition is intended to reinforce Saint-Gobain’s position in light and sustainable construction in the Canadian market. Closure of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and expected by the end of 2023.

Benoit Bazin, chief executive officer of Saint-Gobain, said “This is an important and logical step for Saint-Gobain, allowing us to establish a leading position in roofing in Canada, completing our offering for the building envelope which we have reinforced with the recent Kaycan and GCP acquisitions. It completes our offering of solutions for light and sustainable construction in Canada as we have done successfully in the US.”