Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Denmark: Rockwool has said that its results for 2014 were negatively affected by the devaluation of the Russian Rouble and that Russia will continue to impact its results for some time to come. Its turnover, however, increased by 9% year-on-year to Euro2.18bn, whereas earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) fell by 4% to Euro161m. Post-tax profit decreased to Euro112m from Euro116m in 2013. Rockwool expects its net sales growth in 2015 to be slightly positive and EBIT to reach around Euro150m.

Belgium: Kingspan has acquired full control of the industrial insulation products joint venture that it shares with Belgium's Recticel. Previously, the two groups each owned 50% of Kingspan Tarec Industrial Insulation (KTII). Kingspan has now taken full control of KTII via an estimated Euro8.5m purchase.

Kingspan and Recticel launched their joint venture in 2006, combining their respective industrial insulation businesses in the process. KTII is a niche operator, producing premium performance pipe insulation products for petrochemical operations and the cool truck industry. The business had revenues of around Euro31m in 2014.

US: Johns Manville (JM) has announced a significant upgrade to its nonwoven glass mat production plant in Waterville, Ohio. Beginning in late 2015, JM will upgrade an existing nonwoven mat line with advanced manufacturing technology that will allow it to better serve customers in growing segments of the global specialty glass mat market. JM anticipates the upgraded production line will be fully operational in early 2016.

"Our upgraded Waterville plant will enable JM to provide global product capability between Europe and the Americas and to deliver global product consistency with regional availability," said Tanya Bradby, portfolio leader of Nonwovens America.

Turkey/Luxembourg: Armacell International SA, a Luxembourg-based provider of insulation foams for the equipment insulation market, has acquired OneFlex, a Turkey-based manufacturer of insulation materials for building technology. OneFlex generated a revenue of US$11.2m in 2014. The acquisition will allow Armacell to strengthen its production capabilities and position in Turkey and to expand its footprint across the regions of Middle East, Africa and South-eastern Europe.

US: The Owens Corning Foundation will donate US$1.1m in cash and gifts-in-kind to Habitat for Humanity International over three years. The partnership will support house construction and revitalisation projects nationwide.

The Owens Corning Foundation has donated US$200,000 for 2015 and pledged US$200,000/yr for 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Owens Corning anticipates gift-in-kind donations of US$500,000 over the three years. These gifts include insulation and roofing products to support Habitat's affordable housing efforts.

"One of the most important benefits of community investment is the positive impact it has on our employees and the communities where they live and work," said Don Rettig, president of the Owens Corning Foundation. "Habitat is an ideal partner for Owens Corning. We provide financial support, donate building materials and encourage employee volunteerism. What's more, Habitat has a presence in nearly every Owens Corning location across the US and Canada."

During 2015 - 2017, Owens Corning will also contribute and install science-supported insulating systems and its Total Protection Roofing System™. These systems are designed to improve the thermal, air and moisture performance in the building envelope of Habitat homes, as well as help protect them from harsh weather conditions.

"We are grateful for Owens Corning's commitment to Habitat for Humanity," said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, deputy director of Corporate, Foundation and Institution Relations for Habitat for Humanity International. "Their support will enable us to help more families have access to safe, decent, affordable homes where they can create a brighter future."

Cash and gifts-in-kind from the Owens Corning Foundation and the company itself totalled more than US$1m in 2012 – 2014. The gifts-in-kind insulated and/or roofed more than 1100 homes. Owens Corning employees participated in more than 30 Habitat builds across the United States and Canada during this period. Owens Corning has supported Habitat for Humanity since 1997.