US: Carlisle SynTec Systems, a major manufacturer and supplier of premium roofing products, has formed a strategic partnership with Columbia Green Technologies, a leading supplier of roof garden components. The partnership provides customers with single-source solutions for the entire roof garden system.

"Carlisle is committed to providing comprehensive building envelope solutions that meet the unique challenges associated with sustainable design," said Michael DuCharme, Carlisle's director of product marketing. "Together, Carlisle and Columbia Green will provide expert design assistance, high-performance materials and industry-leading warranties," said DuCharme.

"We are excited to partner with Carlisle. Columbia Green offers innovative green roof systems engineered for stormwater management and optimal plant health. Our partnership allows Carlisle to offer a single-source warranty that inspires confidence in the implementation of our systems," said Vanessa Keitges, president and CEO of Columbia Green Technologies.

Roof gardens, also known as green roofs or vegetative roofs, provide numerous environmental benefits, including enhanced stormwater management, improved air and water quality, reduction of the urban heat island effect and decreased energy consumption.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) has commenced commercial operation of a cable insulation polymers plant owned by Gulf Advanced Cables Insulation Company, a Sipchem affiliate, at its complex in Jubail Industrial City.

The plant produces several types of cable insulation polymers that are used to fabricate electrical cable insulation materials. Gulf Advanced Cables Insulation Company will market the products. Such specialised products are considered part of the company's strategy to execute comprehensive transformation projects in addition to its existing products. The raw materials, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), will be provided by International Polymers Company (IPC), a Sipchem affiliate. The plant will meet local and global demand.

US: Installed Building Products has acquired Layman Brothers Contracting based in Powhatan, Virginia and Bluegrass Insulation of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

UK: Gloucester-based Advanced Insulation, which manufactures technical coatings and specialised passive fire protection and thermal insulation materials, has acquired Nottinghamshire-based Covertherm Limited, a manufacturer of insulation jackets. Covertherm's range of bespoke thermal insulation jacket and cover solutions will complement Advanced Insulation's range of flexible fire protection jackets.

"At a time when many manufacturers are looking abroad for low-cost production solutions, we're looking to reverse that trend. This acquisition will provide a UK manufacturing base for our ContraFlex range of passive fire insulation jackets, which will now be produced by Covertherm for the UK and export markets," said Advanced Insulation's managing director Andrew Bennion. "It is also an opportunity for Covertherm's own portfolio to be introduced to Advanced Insulation's other jacket manufacturing bases and we expect the company to grow significantly over the next 12 months."

The new UK manufacturing facility adds to already established production plants in the UAE, Kazakhstan and South Korea and will provide increased production capacity that will help to cope with the increasing demand for ContraFlex products.