Belgium: Recticel recorded consolidated sales of Euro295m in the first quarter of 2022, up by 43% year-on-year from Euro206m in the first quarter of 2021. The group attributed the growth partly to a 28% year-on-year increase in its insulation sales in the quarter. It ended the quarter with net financial debt of Euro130m, down by 12% year-on-year from Euro148m. Recticel said that the quarter brought progress towards closing its divestment of its engineered foams business line to US-based Carpenter in mid-2022.

The group said that, despite geopolitical instability and inflationary pressure, its business continues to develop well in 2022. It continues to work on accelerated growth plans in order to double its insulation sales over a period ending in 2025.

Russia: Ireland-based Kingspan says it has exited the Russian market and divested its operations to local management. The decision was made in early March 2022 but it took several weeks to carry out. The company said that Russia accounted for less than 1% its global operations. Following the departure Kingspan products will no longer be available for sale in Russia.

The insulation producer added that it was “Deeply saddened by the growing humanitarian crisis as a result of Russia’s unjustified attack on Ukraine and its people.” It has made a US$750,000 donation to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the setup of five Blue Dot Centres to assist refugees on the Ukrainian border.

UK: Knauf Insulation plans to upgrade two of its glass wool insulation plants in the UK at a cost of Euro53.7m. The upgrades consist of a packaging equipment upgrade at the Cwmbran, Torfaen, insulation plant and the replacement of the furnace and connected equipment at its St Helens, Merseyside, insulation plant, as well the acquisition of land adjacent to the latter from NSG Group. As a result of its upgrade, the Cwmbran plant will begin producing insulation slabs as well as rolls and blowing wool. The company said that the investments are a response to anticipated glass wool insulation demand growth on the back of the government’s Future Homes Standard energy efficiency policy.

Managing director Neil Hargreaves said “This series of investments will boost capacity as well as improve the range, availability and sustainability of our products.”

US: Saint-Gobain plans to spend US$32m towards to upgrade to CertainTeed’s Chowchilla glasswool plant in California. The investment is part of a US$400m expansion package planned for four US plants previously announced in November 2021. The upgrade work at Chowchilla will include the addition of a new furnace and other equipment that will use less natural gas and electricity. It is the largest investment in the site since its creation in 1978. Saint-Gobain Group estimates that these improvements will reduce CO₂ emissions by 4000t/yr at the site.