Malaysia: PGF Insulation Sdn Bhd plans to build a second mineral wool plant next to its existing plant in Penang and start production in early 2016. PGF has awarded the first phase of the project to a local contractor and work is expected to commence in May 2014. This phase of the project, when completed, will have a capacity of 20,000MT/yr with a focus on batts and boards production.

PGF has started its plant expansion plan due to growing demand for its glasswool products in the Asia Pacific region. The five-acre site was acquired in 2008 for future expansion purposes. PGF's current facility has a production capacity of 20,000Mt/yr. The first phase project will add 20,000Mt/yr and it will be operational in 2016. A second phase will add a further 20,000Mt/yr bringing the total production capacity to 60,000Mt/yr. PGF intends to be become the largest mineral wool manufacturer in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region when the upgrades are completed.

This news article was updated on 3 April 2014

Australia: An insulation industry representative was told 'not to rock the boat' when he warned government planners about safety risks in the Home Insulation Program. The comments have arisen in a royal commission into the Home Insulation Program that is investigating whether the deaths of four installers could have been avoided.

Peter Ruz, who worked for Fletcher Insulation and who was the director of the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand, raised safety issues with installing foil insulation when he was consulted about the scheme in 2009. According to Australian Broadcasting Corporation transcripts from the commission, Ruz said he told government planners that three installers in New Zealand had been electrocuted and that he recommended the use of other insulation materials. However, Ruz felt that planners at the meeting dismissed his comments as 'squabbling' between different insulation type producers. Ruz also alleges that he sent an Environment Department manager, Beth Brunoro, news cuttings of the deaths in New Zealand.

Brunoro previously told the inquiry earlier that concerns would have been taken into consideration when the guidelines were being created for the scheme. It is unclear exactly what happened with that information because Brunoro stopped overseeing the project in April 2009 and the insulation scheme started in full in July 2009.

rThe Home Insulation Program ran until February 2010. The royal commission, overseen by Richard Hanger, will submit its report by 30 June 2014.

Saudi Arabia: Thermal insulation in buildings will soon be mandatory in 23 cities and towns across Saudi Arabia. Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Prince Mansour bin Miteb bin Abdulaziz, said that the measures would be a pre-requisite when applying for electricity connections.

Municipalities and engineering consultants will coordinate with Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to implement the policy. If any building fails to install insulation, it won't be able to subscribe for power supply and the Municipality will also not approve permanent permission. An exclusive integrated system will be developed between Municipalities and SEC to verify the installation.

Thermal insulation is used to protect the buildings from excessive heat during peak summer time. It reduces the pace of heat transfer inside the building through the walls and roof and as a result, saves about 40% of energy in air-conditioning. The decision will increase construction costs, but will reduce power consumption.

Air-conditioners account for about 70% of electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia and with more than 1.5 million new homes needed to keep pace with population growth, domestic energy demand is anticipated to double by 2030, according to the SEC.

Japan: Achilles Corporation has adopted Honeywell's Solstice(R) Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA) for use in its line of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) building insulation, which is sold under the trade name Achilles Airlon FR-FO.

"Honeywell is committed to developing technologies that help our customers to produce energy-efficient materials that are better for the environment," said Sanjeev Rastogi, business director for Honeywell Fluorine Products. "We are delighted to help Achilles introduce a new class of spray foam insulation in Japan that benefits from our expertise in developing and supplying high-performance, energy-efficient and low-global-warming-potential solutions."