Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Ireland: Kingspan's CO₂ emissions fell by 26% over the two years between 2020 and 2022. The group aims to achieve a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions between 2020 and 2030. The Irish Times newspaper has reported that the company adopted a Euro70/t internal pricing mechanism in January 2023. Over the past three years, it increased its renewable energy share to 33% from 20%, increased its rainwater harvesting capacity by 26% and reduced its volume of waste sent to landfill by 42%.

Kingspan head of sustainability Bianca Wong said "It’s a testament to the enduring efforts of our colleagues that we completed over 100 projects in 2022. We will continue to build on our progress to date and aim to further accelerate our strategies in the coming years."

Saudi Arabia: Maersk Arabia Logistics Services has signed a contract with Zamil Steel Construction Company for the construction of a building materials terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port in Jeddah. Local press has reported that the terminal will consist of multiple warehouses, a logistics yard and office facilities. It will stock glass and stone wool insulation and insulation panels, along with other products.

US: Owens Corning has published plans for a new extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation plant in Russellville, Arkansas. The Courier newspaper has reported that the plant will produce the company's Foamular NGX brand insulation. It will employ an estimated 50 people.

Owens Corning previously invested US$24.5m in an expansion to its Fort Smith glass and mineral wool insulation plant in the state, also creating 50 new jobs.

Croatia: Knauf Insulation plans to invest Euro120m to build a second production line at its Novi Marof stone wool insulation plant. HINA News has reported that Knauf Insulation managing partner Alexander Knauf met government officials to discuss the company's plan. The producer says that the new line will create 70 direct jobs.

India: Saint-Gobain has entered into an agreement to acquire Indian market leader glass wool insulation producer Twiga Fiberglass, local press has reported. Twiga Fiberglass has produced insulation as a licensee of Saint-Gobain's glass wool insulation technology since 2005.

Saint-Gobain previously acquired stone wool insulation producer Rockwool India in February 2022.