Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

UK: Rockwool subsidiary Wetherby Wall Systems has launched SOQEL A2, an external wall insulation system for use below damp-proof course. The system integrates Rockwool’s Coverrock X-2 pre-coated insulation with Heck K+A SL coating and Heck CER mesh. Specification Online News has reported that the system complies with the A2-s1,d0 UK fire standard for buildings over 11m tall.

Technical director Joe Ragdale said “We have worked alongside our Rockwool sister company Heck in Germany to launch this innovative system into the UK market. This solution provides architects and contractors working on remediation projects with a compliant, durable, and efficient way to enhance building safety.”

US: The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) has opposed the Washington State government’s identification of all organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) as a priority chemical for additional regulations, including a possible ban. PIMA, along with other industry associations, argues that a blanket treatment of OFRs ignores variations in their chemical structure and risk profiles, thereby complicating efforts to identify safer alternatives while continuing to ensure insulation’s performance and fire safety.

UK: The government has accepted the recommendations of a public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster, in which 72 people died in a fire that spread through exterior cladding systems in a residential block in London. The Guardian newspaper has reported that the inquiry recommended actions against seven different organisations that share in responsibility for the spread of the deadly fire. The inquiry's final report named these organisations as Kingspan Insulation, Saint-Gobain Construction Products, Harley Facades and testing company Exova Group, along with aluminium and bonded sheets producer Arconic Architectural Products, property development and management company Rydon Maintenance and architecture firm Studio E Architects. Additionally, the report recommended the introduction of a unified regulatory body for the construction industry and the consolidation of fire safety matters under the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said "The final report exposed in stark and devastating detail the shocking industry behaviour and wider failures that led to the fire, and the deep injustices endured by the bereaved, survivors and residents.”

UK Shadow Housing and Communities Secretary Kevin Hollinrake told Parliament that criminal charges against those responsible must follow ‘where evidence allows.’

UK: Superglass has secured Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) verification for its Superwall Cavity Batts range of insulation. Specification Online News has reported that the range is among the first in the insulation segment to receive this. The producer will seek verification for further products later in February 2025.

CCPI verification ensures the veracity and comprehensiveness of product information claims. It launched following the deathly Grenfell Tower disaster on 14 June 2017, where labelling was found to ‘deliberately misrepresent’ insulation’s fire safety performance.

Israel: Chemicals company ICL has launched VeriQuel R100, a reactive phosphorous flame retardant for rigid polyurethane (PU) insulation. VeriQuel R100 chemically bonds with the polymer matrix in PU insulation. ICL invested US$2m in the development of VeriQuel R100. Four US-based roofing producers also launched products featuring VeriQuel R100, with six more reportedly ‘in development’ in the US and Europe.

UK: Denmark-based Rockwool has acquired external thermal insulation composite systems producer Wetherby Building Systems. Reuters has reported that the newly acquired company will now operate as part of Rockwool Wall Systems, under the name Wetherby Wall Systems. The integration parallels that of previous Rockwool acquisitions in other markets, like Fast Wall Systems in Poland and Heck Wall Systems in Germany.

Rockwool CEO Jes Munk Hansen said “The share of stone wool insulation in the Wetherby business has been growing steadily, and we will be completing this transition to a fully stone wool-based portfolio, as we have done in other markets in the past.” He added that this will advance Rockwool’s transformation of the construction sector towards non-combustible façades.

Wetherby Building Systems managing director Bob Deane said “There is a long-standing relationship between Wetherby and Rockwool, and the match is strong on all significant drivers.”

North America: Knauf Insulation has launched its new Knauf Performance+ range of glass wool insulation for heating, ventilation and air conditioning applications. The launch of the range, which is asthma and allergy friendly and formaldehyde-free, coincided with the start of Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month on 1 May 2024.

Knauf Insulation said “In a world where indoor air is two-to-five times more polluted than outdoor air, improving indoor air quality is critical.” Senior vice president sales, marketing and innovation Nathan Walker added “By the end of 2024, Knauf commits to eliminating formaldehyde from all its remaining products. This move sets a new standard in the production of high-performing building materials.”

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.

South Korea: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has suspended the Korea Foamed Plastic Industry Cooperative’s standard for expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulating sandwich panels. The standard had been certified by the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology. Maeil Business Newspaper has reported that the suspension is part of a regulatory revision in the interest of fire safety. The value of the South Korean EPS sandwich panel industry is US$1.37bn/yr.

The Korea Foamed Plastic Industry Cooperative said “With a severe shortage of certification agencies, it takes over a year to obtain certification. This is tantamount to telling small businesses to shut down.”

UK: Recticel says that new requirements following the UK’s exit from the EU have created estimated extra one-time costs of Euro464,000. Local press has reported that UK-based laboratory testing is estimated to cost Euro325,000 across eight products, while new fire tests for the same products will add a further Euro130,000.

Senior technical manager Simon Blackham said “It’s the same standards, to the same test method, the same everything - and it would have to be paid for, ultimately, by the customer.”