Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

US: The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) has opposed the Washington State government’s identification of all organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) as a priority chemical for additional regulations, including a possible ban. PIMA, along with other industry associations, argues that a blanket treatment of OFRs ignores variations in their chemical structure and risk profiles, thereby complicating efforts to identify safer alternatives while continuing to ensure insulation’s performance and fire safety.

Egypt: AlexForm has inaugurated its new US$13.8m, 2.1Mm²/yr Sokhna insulation plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Arab News has reported that the plant is equipped with polyurethane (PU) and stone wool insulation production lines. It will employ 120 workers.

UK: The government has accepted the recommendations of a public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster, in which 72 people died in a fire that spread through exterior cladding systems in a residential block in London. The Guardian newspaper has reported that the inquiry recommended actions against seven different organisations that share in responsibility for the spread of the deadly fire. The inquiry's final report named these organisations as Kingspan Insulation, Saint-Gobain Construction Products, Harley Facades and testing company Exova Group, along with aluminium and bonded sheets producer Arconic Architectural Products, property development and management company Rydon Maintenance and architecture firm Studio E Architects. Additionally, the report recommended the introduction of a unified regulatory body for the construction industry and the consolidation of fire safety matters under the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said "The final report exposed in stark and devastating detail the shocking industry behaviour and wider failures that led to the fire, and the deep injustices endured by the bereaved, survivors and residents.”

UK Shadow Housing and Communities Secretary Kevin Hollinrake told Parliament that criminal charges against those responsible must follow ‘where evidence allows.’

Russia: TechnoNICOL plans to build a further plant in Khabarovsk Krai. Interfax Russia & CIS Business News has reported that the plant will produce technical insulation, as well as 80,000m³/yr of shipbuilding insulation and 20,000m³/yr of substrates for vegeculture. TechnoNICOL plans to invest US$3.49m in the plant, and commission it in mid-late 2025.

France: Revibat has announced the launch of a new 1.5t/hr glasswool recycling line, featuring recycling equipment supplier Andritz’s NeXline AirLay system. The line, situated near Paris, will receive post-consumer glasswool from around the French capital. Revibat says that it plans to roll out the NeXline AirLay system in order to supply its recycled insulation production operations across France.