Spain: URSA says it used 35,800t of recycled materials to produce glass wool and extruded polystyrene (XPS) products in 2023. Just under 70% of the raw materials used to manufacture glass wool and XPS came from waste streams from sectors including car and food manufacture.

The subsidiary of Belgium-based Etex has also been granted a new Environmental Quality Assurance certifying that it recycles at least 60% of the raw materials used in its glass wool. Other recent sustainability milestones include an increase in the amount of recycled material the company uses in its packaging. Glass wool products from its El Pla de Santa Maria plant contain a primary sheet with a minimum of 50% of recycled plastic and the packaging of its XPS range includes a primary sheet with up to 30% of recycled plastic.

Austria: Strabag has acquired hemp insulation producer Naporo Klima Dammstoff from Synthesa. SeeNews has reported that Strabag expects the acquisition to help it to expand its product range in line with its 2040 decarbonisation target. Meanwhile, Naporo Klima Dammstoff says that it will work with Strabag to explore new applications for its products, including in green roofs and as acoustic insulation.

Synthesa managing director Georg Bluemel said “In Strabag, we have found a partner who will continue to write Naporo’s success story in the future. We look forward to additional growth prospects for the company and its employees.”

Kazakhstan: Russia-based TechnoNICOL has begun building its upcoming US$124m Karaganda insulation plant. Interfax Kazakhstan Newswire has reported that the plant will export 30% of its insulation to Russia. Additionally, it will export some insulation to China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Uzbekistan.

US: The National Insulation Association (NIA) has renamed its President’s Award as the Ronald King Distinguished Service Award. The award is the NIA’s highest recognition of outstanding service. The rebrand honours industry veteran Ron King, who received the award twice, in 1986 and 2001.

Speaking of King, NIA President Laura Dover said “We are deeply grateful for your invaluable service to the NIA and this industry.”