Denmark: Rockwool’s earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) have risen by 78% year-on-year to Euro64m in the first half of 2016 from Euro36m in the same period of 2015. Its sales revenue fell by 2% to Euro784m from Euro799m due to currency variations. In local currencies its revenue rose by 2.1% due to the Building insulation segment, whereas the Industrial & Technical insulation area continued to be challenged by low investment levels in the oil and gas related industries.

“I am very satisfied with the continued improvement in our performance, especially within the Insulation business. This is a result of the acceleration of our Business Transformation Program, improved market conditions in Germany and the successful expansion in the US. We are confident that we will deliver a strong result for 2016,” said chief executive officer Jens Birgersson.

Regionally, markets in Asia and North America performed well. Markets in Western Europe showed continued improvement but sales in Russia continued to fall.

Romania: Hirsch Servo has bought the insulating material division of Arcon. The deal includes two expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation production plants in Bucharest and Sfantu Gheorghe. No price for the transaction has been released. Hirsch Servo will become the second largest insulation producer in the country, following its purchase of the Energoterom insulation plant at Timisoara in July 2016.

UK: Kingspan’s sales revenue has risen by 19% year-on-year to Euro1.47bn in the first half of 2016 from Euro1.24bn in the same period in 2015. Its net profit rose by 83% to Euro126m from Euro82.4m. The insulation and building products manufacturer attributed the result to increased market penetration and growth though new acquisitions.

“These results reflect our strongest ever six month performance, underpinned by solid organic growth and a robust contribution from the Joris Ide and Vicwest businesses acquired last year. The expansion in profit margin has helped deliver a 50% increase in trading profit and, with good order intake momentum in the second quarter continuing into the current trading period, we expect a solid performance in the second half,” said Gene Murtagh, Chief Executive of Kingspan.

The company’s sales revenue from insulated panels rose by 26% to Euro950m from Euro753m, supported by sales in mainland Europe. Sales revenue from insulated boards rose by 9% to Euro947m from Euro319m driven by the UK

US: Installed Building Products has acquired Southern Insulators & Specialties, a fibreglass and spray foam insulation installer based in Covington, Louisiana. No value for the purchase was released.

"Southern has a large presence in the state of Louisiana with trailing-12 month revenues of approximately US$5m," said Jeff Edwards, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He added that Installed Building Products has completed six acquisitions, representing nearly US$53m of annual revenue, since the start of 2016.