Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Italy: TechnoNicol has strengthened its position in Western Europe with the acquisition of an Italian insulation and waterproofing producer, Italiana Membrane. TechnoNicol has said that it intends to invest in small upgrades aimed at increasing production efficiency and reducing costs at its new Italian business over the next two years.

Italiana Membrane runs several production plants that manufacture a range of roofing and waterproofing bitumen modified membranes, which are sold in Italy and 50 other countries. The company exports around 35% of its output, mainly to markets in North and Latin America, Scandinavia and the Middle East. In 2011, its annual turnover amounted to Euro50m.

"The acquisition of Italiana Membrane allows us to not only increase exports, but it gives TechnoNicol the opportunity to take a significant niche in the western markets," said TechnoNicol's president Sergei Kolesnikov. Prior to the takeover, TechnoNicol held talks with Italian trade unions and reached an agreement on the number of Italiana Membrane workers it would employ and future pay levels.

The Italian firm's main plant has a production capacity of 20Mm2/yr. It operates three polymer-bitumen material lines; one line produces roofing shingles made of APP modified bitumen reinforced with non-woven polyester and glass fibre; another turning out heat insulation and waterproofing panels and a sixth line producing waterproofing liquids.

US: Roxul Inc, part of Rockwool International, has opened its first US manufacturing facility near Byhalia, Mississippi. The 600,000ft², US$160m plant was first announced in 2012 and broke ground in May 2013. Production began on Roxul's stone wool insulation products in June 2014. The company will employ 150 people when it reaches full capacity.

"When conducting our site selection due diligence, it was clear the state of Mississippi and Marshall County provided us the optimal location from both a manufacturing and distribution standpoint," said Trent Ogilvie, Roxul's chairman and managing director. "The support that Roxul has received from the community and the state has been terrific. We couldn't have found a better place to call home."

US: Honeywell, an American multinational conglomerate that produces a variety of commercial and consumer products, engineering services and aerospace systems, has announced that it plans to increase its production of low global-warming-potential (GWP) materials (i.e. insulation materials, refrigerants, aerosols and solvents).

The company projects that use of its low-GWP hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacements will eliminate more than 350Mt in CO₂ equivalents by 2025, equivalent to removing 70 million cars from the road for one year. Prior to 2020, Honeywell will drive a 50%/yr reduction in the production of high-GWP HFCs on a CO₂ equivalent basis. In addition, Honeywell plans to spend US$900m on research and development and new capacity, mainly in the US, in the coming years to produce next-generation refrigerants, insulation materials, aerosols and solvents. These have global warming potentials at least 99% lower than most technologies used today.

US: For the fifth 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 second straight year, Owens Corning was named the Industry Leader for the DJSI World Building Products group.

"We are proud to have earned a place on this list again this year," said chairman and CEO Mike Thaman. "Our employees are working every day to make homes more energy-efficient, roofs more durable and weather-resistant, cars more fuel efficient and renewable energy more cost effective. Our sustainability strategy is realised every day at Owens Corning, through the products we produce and the way we produce them."

Composed of global sustainability leaders, the DJSI World Index is a listing of the world's largest companies based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria. The DJSI follow a best-in-class approach, including companies across all industries that outperform their peers in numerous sustainability metrics.

US: USA Insulation, which specialises in retrofit insulation, opened a new franchise location in St Louis, Missouri on 9 September 2014. The new owner, Doug Graham, will provide homeowners in the Metro St Louis and Metro East areas with USA Insulation's proprietary Premium Foam, among other products.

"We are thrilled to have Doug head up our new franchise in an area of the country that has a large number of homes with insulation needs," said Patrick Pitrone, USA Insulation president. "With the winter and summer temperature extremes that Greater St Louis experiences, USA Insulation will be able to help homeowners be more comfortable in their homes while substantially lowering their energy bills."

USA Insulation's Premium Foam is injected as a liquid into wall cavities from small holes drilled in the home's facing, where it hardens quickly to provide a thermal barrier. USA Insulation also offers blown-in insulation for attic spaces and air sealing to close any openings around pipes and fixtures.

"St. Louis has a large number of old homes, including historical homes that can't be torn down, which are either under-insulated or not insulated," said Graham. "A home is probably the largest investment a person will ever make. Not only will our insulation help homeowners be more comfortable in their homes year-round, it can also enhance the home's resale value."