US: Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas named Knauf Insulation's McGregor insulation plant its Outstanding Large Employer in McLennan County at an event on 15 January 2026.
Knauf Insulation North America CEO Matt Parrish said "This recognition reflects our commitment to investing in people, fostering opportunity and creating a culture where innovation and community go hand in hand. We are proud to call Central Texas home and look forward to shaping its future together."
US: The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International (RIMA International) has elected its 2026 Board of Directors. The association appointed RoyOMartin's Bobby Byrd as its president, replacing past president Mike Boulding of Fi-Foil Company. MWI Components' Philip Ramstack will serve as RIMA’s vice president and EchoTape's Mark Lovan as secretary and treasurer. Celplast Metallized Products' Dante Ferrari, Low-E's Paul McIlwee, Fi-Foil Company's Rodney Miller, Balcan Innovations' Kelly Myers, LP Building Solutions' Neil Freidberg and Prodex's Sergio Luconi all step into directorial positions.
Russia: The Russian government has transferred the Russian assets of Denmark-based Rockwool to local company Rozvitok Stroitelnykh Aktivov. The New Voice of Ukraine newspaper has reported that Rozvitok Stroitelnykh Aktivov received a 100% stake in one entity, identified as ‘Rockwool,’ and a 68% stake in another, ‘Rockwool-Volga.’ The forthcoming Global Insulation Directory 2026 lists four Rockwool mineral wool insulation plants in Russia: Rockwool Volga’s Alabuga plant in Tatarstan, Rockwool Ural’s Troitsk plant in Chelyabinsk, Rockwool Sever’s Vyborg plant in Leningrad and CSJC Mineralnaya Vata’s Zheleznodorozhny plant in Moscow. Following the 24 February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Rockwool continued to run its Russian plants as a standalone entity, but cancelled a US$233m expansion to its Vyborg plant, withdrew US$62.3m and donated US$77.9m to the Foundation for Ukraine's Reconstruction.
Rockwool said “What we are seeing is an obvious breach of all international rules. It is indisputably illegal by any standard. We intend to use all legal avenues to defend our assets and prevent them from falling into Russian hands.”
Kazakhstan: KazFeltec has launched a 3500t/yr wool processing plant and 2200t/yr non-woven materials plant in Aktobe. Kazakhstan Newsline has reported the total investment cost of the facility as US$10.4m. Italy-based Cormatex supplied processing and production equipment. Products will include wool-based insulation and the plant will commence domestic and export sales in March 2026.
