Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

UK: Celotex has stopped supplying its RS5000 polyisocyanurate foam (PIR) insulation board product in rainscreen cladding systems for buildings over 18m tall. The decision is a temporary one whilst an investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire continues. The subsidiary of Saint-Gobain previously confirmed that its product was purchased for use in a refurbishment project at the building. The fire is believed to have killed 79 people.

The insulation producer said that safety testing had been undertaken on its RS5000 product as part of a ‘particular’ rainscreen cladding system. It added that, “…any changes to components of the cladding system or construction methods used need to be considered by the relevant building designer.”

The decision by Celotex follows an announcement by the Metropolitan Police that insulation samples collected from Grenfell Tower combusted quickly in tests. The authorities are examining aluminium composite tiles, the insulation behind it and how these tiles were fixed to the building as well as how they were installed. The aluminium composite tiles have also failed initial safety tests.

Finland: Recticel plans to build a new Euro23m polyurethane (PUR) foam insulation board plant. Production at the site is scheduled to start in the second half of 2018. The site will manufacture thermal insulation products for sale in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltic countries

“This investment is an additional step in the execution of the growth strategy of our Insulation business. It offers an attractive expansion in the Nordic region, which is a growing market for high performance insulation materials,” said Olivier Chapelle the company’s chief executive officer (CEO).

Denmark: Lars Christian Lilleholt, the Minister for Energy and Climate, has stopped subsidies for domestic cavity wall insulation projects due to problems related to the scheme. The subsidies were stopped on a temporary three-month basis in March 2017 and this had now been made permanent in conjunction with the energy companies that take part in the scheme. A survey published in March 2017 reported errors in 60% of the projects carried out under the scheme.

Norway: Saint-Gobain has entered into talks with the owners and shareholders of Glava to buy their shares, with the support of the company’s management. Prior to this negotiation, Saint-Gobain already owned 17% of the capital of Glava, which has manufactured products under an Isover license since 1960. The acquisition will be subject to the scrutiny of the relevant competition bodies.

Insulation producer Glava operates two mineral wool plants at Askim near Oslo, and at Stjørdal near Trondheim. It also has workshops producing expanded polystyrene and ceilings. Glava supplies a comprehensive range of insulating products and accessories to its customers. The company reported sales of over Euro140m in 2016.

US: Owens Corning has signed an agreement to acquire Pittsburgh Corning, a producer of cellular glass insulation systems for commercial and industrial markets, for around US$560m in cash, on a cash free and debt free basis. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2017.

“The acquisition of Pittsburgh Corning will further expand Owens Corning’s commercial and industrial product offering and grow our presence in Europe and Asia,” said Julian Francis, president of Owens Corning’s Insulation Business. “The addition of Pittsburgh Corning will build on our core glass technologies and accelerates our progress in making Owens Corning the leading provider of insulation solutions with fiberglass, foam, mineral fibre, and cellular glass.”

Pittsburgh Corning produces cellular glass insulation products for commercial and residential buildings and energy and industrial applications. Its productions include Foamglas. The company also produces a range of complementary accessory products including sealants, adhesives, and jacketing. Pittsburgh Corning employs over 1100 people in 17 countries. It operates facilities in the US, Belgium, Czech Republic and China. It reported sales of over US$240m in 2016.