Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

US: Distribution International Inc, a portfolio company of Audax Group Inc and the CapStreet Group LLC has acquired Mechanical Insulation Supply Inc, a distributor of mechanical industrial insulation and accessories, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) products and refractory products and accessories.

US: A fire was reported at Knauf Insulation’s insulation plant, which was formerly a Guardian Industries plant, in Albion, Michigan on 8 October 2014. According to local media, the fire started in one of the ovens and spread through the ducts to the smoke stack. Damage is thought to be minimal, although the equipment remains to be fully inspected. 

World: A new report from The Freedonia Group has forecast that global demand for insulation will rise by 5%/yr to 24.9Bnm2/yr of R-1 value in the period to 2018. This represents a significant increase from the rate of the 2008 - 2013 period. The foamed plastic insulation sector will post the fastest gains and strong growth in residential building construction activity will be the primary driver of demand.

In developing countries, rising building construction and industrial activity will lead to increased demand for insulation. In many high-income countries, insulation demand will rebound from downturns during the 2008 - 2013 period that were caused, in part, by sharp declines in housing construction. Government efforts, particularly in Western Europe, to reduce energy consumption will lead to the adoption of new building codes that require increased amounts of insulation.

The Asia-Pacific region is forecast to have the fastest growth in insulation demand in the period to 2018, aided by advances in building construction activity as well as manufacturing and industrial output. Over 58% of new global insulation demand generated between 2013 and 2018 will be attributable to this region. Among the regional countries that are expected to post solid growth are China, India and Indonesia.

In North America demand for insulation in residential construction applications will grow 6.5%/yr in R-1 value through 2018, due primarily to a partial recovery in housing construction in the United States. Rural-to-urban migration in developing countries in the Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central and Southern America will stimulate building activity in urban areas and therefore insulation demand.

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."