Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Poland: Petralana has completed the construction of a mineral wool plant in Bytom. The plant will employ almost 200 people and produce 41,000t/yr of mineral wool.

US: USI, a national construction services provider of installed insulation and related services to builders, contractors and homeowners, has announced the acquisition of Smith Insulation, a Louisburg, North Carolina-based full-line insulation services contractor.

Founded in 1979 by Timothy Smith, family-run Smith Insulation has shown steady growth. The company employs approximately 35 personnel and serves the Raleigh, Durham and Roanoke Rapids markets. After closing, Smith will become branch manager and Duane Smith will maintain his current role as production manager.

In addition to the North Carolina markets served by Smith Insulation, USI has an existing branch serving western North Carolina and parts of Virginia. "We are excited how this acquisition further increases our presence in North Carolina," said Bill Varner, president and CEO of USI. "Bringing Smith's expertise, valued people and assets to USI is a significant opportunity for us. We expect a smooth transition and enhanced value for both our current and future customers."

"Joining forces with USI provides us with a whole new level of resources. USI shares our values of teamwork, trust and integrity that are so crucial in a relationship-driven industry. Our combined best practices and focus on service leaves me very optimistic about the future," said Timothy Smith.

US: For the sixth year in a row, Owens Corning has earned placement in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) in recognition of its sustainability initiatives.
For the third straight year, Owens Corning was named the Industry Leader for the DJSI World Building Products group. The DJSI World is a listing of the world's largest companies based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria.

"We are honoured to have earned placement again in 2015," said chairman and CEO Mike Thaman. "Our people and products make the world a better place. That simple and powerful purpose defines Owens Corning today, as well as the company we are building for the future."

"Continuing our steady progress toward shrinking our environmental footprint, we are even more energised as we expand our impact through our positive handprint," said chief sustainability officer Frank O'Brien-Bernini. "Collaborating up and down the value chain, we make buildings more energy-efficient, roofs more durable and resistant to extreme weather, cars more fuel-efficient, renewable energy more cost-effective and our company a better corporate citizen."

Serbia: Slovenia's chemical group Jub, which celebrates its 140th anniversary in 2015, is expanding its production abroad with the launch of a new styrofoam thermal insulation plant in Šimanovci near Belgrade on 10 September 2015.

The new plant cost Euro5.6m, while the total investments made by Jub in Serbia, where it has been present since 2004, have been estimated at Euro27m. The group includes 12 companies that operate on more than 12 markets worldwide. It expanded its product range to insulation materials in 2012.

Azerbaijan: Russia's TechnoNICOL wants to establish cooperation with Azerbaijan by 2016 to supply the country with insulation materials for industrial and civil projects.

General director of TechnoNICOL's mineral insulation department Irek Allayarov said that it plans to supply Azerbaijan from TechnoNICOL's new 1.3Mm³/yr plant in Krasny Sulin Industrial Park in Rostov, Russia. He added that close proximity to the borders with several countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) would make exports ideal. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Armenia have all been targeted.

"The plant's products include general construction, technical insulation and materials for fire protection systems. In the future we will consider the production of agricultural products, such as insulation used for the construction of greenhouses," said Allayarov.