Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Russia: Paroc intends to expand its production in Russia by 1.5 times to 45,000t in 2015. So far in 2015, its capacity utilisation rate is 100%. In 2014, Paroc's Tver plant sold 29,000t of mineral wool.

Paroc is investing US$121m in a new thermal insulation production plant in Tver. The project will be implemented in three stages; 2011 - 2013, 2014 - 2016 and 2017 - 2020. The new plant will produce up to 50,000t/yr of mineral wool.

Germany: HASIT Trockenmörtel GmbH's Fixit 222 Aerogel product, a Cabot Aeorgel-containing insulating plaster material, was recently recognised as one of the most innovative products exhibited at the BAU 2015, a trade fair for architecture, construction materials and systems.

"We are seeing a rise in interest in insulative aerogel coatings and plasters due to increased focus on environmental, energy-efficiency and safety requirements," said Milto Vlachos, general manager of Cabot Aerogel. "We believe that our Aerogel can help customers to reduce energy costs and lower carbon footprints in buildings around the world. Through our technical collaboration with HASIT, we have developed a product that helps customers apply insulation on all types of buildings, including historic façades. It also delivers superior performance compared to similar products on the market today."

The HASIT Fixit 222 Aerogel was recognised for the role that the material can play in reducing the energy consumption of buildings. The material, which is a combination of Cabot's highly-insulating Aerogel and hydraulic lime plaster, has a low thermal conductivity that provides insulation three to four times more effective than conventional insulating plaster. The material meets fire safety and flammability requirements without using environmentally-hazardous flame retardants. It can be prepared and applied manually or with conventional application machines for both indoor and outdoor areas.

Fixit 222 Aerogel can be used for façades worth preserving or with historic building status. The material allows planners, architects and builders the aesthetic and performance advantages of mineral plaster, while setting new standards for both internal and external insulation. It has been used in the Swiss market since 2013 and HASIT began selling Fixit 222 to the German markets in 2014.

Brazil: Elcateq, which manufactures a range of insulation materials for roofing and other construction applications, is eyeing sales of over US$1m in 2015.

"This year's target is US$1m of turnover. In 2012 our turnover was zero, but in three years things have constantly changed for the better," said Elasteq board member Kristian Kahre. Elcateq started production in 2012 and now has a portfolio of nine products. In 2013 Krimelte, Estonia's polyurethane foams and sealants producer, acquired a 40% stake. It now has a majority shareholding.

Kahre said that Elcateq would also consider future expansion. "We need to build up some reserves, but I believe that further expansion is possible, maybe further development of the company within Brazil," said Kahre. "We also might increase production space at some point."

US/Canada: Armacell International SA, which produces flexible insulation foams for the equipment insulation market, has completed the acquisition of Industrial Thermo Polymers Limited (ITP), a producer of extruded polyethylene (EPS) foam products in North America.

"We are pleased and excited to welcome the employees of ITP into the Armacell family," said Thomas Himmel, vice president of the Americas and engineered foams for Armacell. "The acquisition of ITP supports our strategy to expand our manufacturing capability of polyethylene foam products. The Brampton facility will be the base for our future investment into the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam in North America."

ITP was founded in 1980 and maintains headquarters in Toronto, Canada. Under the brand name Tundra, it manufactures self-sealing pipe insulation, insulating foam filler and water toys. In 2014, ITP generated US$23.5m in revenue.

US: Installed Building Products has reported strong results for both the fourth quarter of 2014 and the entire 2014 year.

"The positive momentum in our business continued through the fourth quarter of 2014, resulting in solid growth in our net revenue and profitability for the full year of 2014," stated Jeff Edwards, chairman and CEO. "In the fourth quarter, we were especially pleased with our 21.7% increase in net revenue which resulted in another quarter of significant operating leverage. Into 2015, we expect housing completions to continue improving at a steady pace and we are energised by our prospects to continue scaling our business in a disciplined manner to further expand our national network of attractively positioned branch locations."

Installed Building Products' fourth quarter 2014 net revenue increased by 21.7% year-on-year to US$145m. Its branch sales increased by 16.2% year-on-year due to higher volume, price gains and a more favourable customer and product mix. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 65.3% year-on-year to US$15.2m. Its operating income rose by 105% year-on-year to US$9.3m.

In the entirety of 2014, Installed Building Products' revenue increased by 19.9% year-on-year to US$518m. Branch sales increased by 16.4%, with approximately 75% of the increase due to growth in the number of completed jobs and the remainder achieved through price gains and a more favourable customer and product mix. Adjusted EBITDA improved by 73.6% to US$44m.