Belgium: Spray foam manufacturer, Icynene Inc, has formally opened its first European office in Brussels.

"Over the past 18 months, Icynene has experienced a significant growth in Europe, which we expect to continue at the same pace as we look to new markets in the region. Thermal regulations have become more stringent and are now focused on air-tightness and healthy insulation products. Icynene nicely fits into this new environment and brings alternative solutions to traditional insulation." said Bertrand Lauret, Managing Director of Abington Gate Europe, Icynene contact for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The office opened on 7 January 2012 following negotiations with the Brussels Science Incubator (BLSI). The office will initially accommodate two staff with an expansion expected later in 2013.

Established in 1986, Icynene builds energy-efficient residential and commercial structures in over 31 countries. Its products include light density open cell and medium density closed cell spray foam insulation for both insulation and air barrier purposes.

Finland: The Finnish insulation firm Paroc has announced that Joakim Westerlund, aged 34, was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President for base production and as a member of the group's management team at the start of 2013. Westerlund has worked for Paroc since February 2008, working for its base division since the spring of 2012. He graduated as a doctor of Science in Technology from Åbo Akademi University in 2005.

"Westerlund is a genuine and skilful leader whom colleagues and subordinates respect, especially for his ability to motivate and inspire members of his team. Joakim is also known as an analytical and logical thinker whose strong strategic ability comes from thoroughly familiarising himself with issues. He brings an excellent addition to the Paroc Management Team," said Paroc Group CEO, Kari Lehtinen.

UK: Superglass Holdings plc, a Stirling, Scotland-based manufacturer of glass fibre insulation, has reported in an interim management statement covering 1 September 2012 to 14 January 2013 that the first phase of Project Phoenix, its capital investment programme, remains on budget and is on track for completion during the first half of 2013.

Estimated annualised cost savings from the programme have increased from Euro4.33m to Euro6.02m, with the first full year of savings expected in 2013-2014. The increase in savings is mainly due to the installation of new fiberising technology. One of the company's newly installed production lines is now running at full capacity and the second line scheduled to be upgraded in the spring of 2013. However, upgrading each line will incur 'significant' costs as a result of six weeks production downtime.

Sales volumes for the period have been steady but a stronger than anticipated demand for volume commodity products has had a negative impact on average sales prices. Overall market conditions are also affecting prices. Input costs have remained under pressure, particular as energy costs continue to rise.

Superglass remains cautious about the UK Green Deal and it continues to work on broadening its routes to market. Volumes are likely to reduce with potentially slow start-up of the Green Deal scheme.

US: After exploring a number of options, building products manufacturer Johns Manville (JM) has signed a new 12-year lease for its global headquarters in the JM Plaza building in downtown Denver, beginning January 2013.



The decision to remain at JM Plaza involved a thorough evaluation of the economics and employee and business logistics of several locations, including alternate sites downtown and in the Denver Technical Center.



"There were several excellent choices in the Denver metro area where we could conduct our headquarters operations," said Mary Rhinehart, JM president and CEO. "However, at the end of the day, our current location provided the greatest benefit across all of the factors we considered."