Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

UK: The British Board of Agrément (BBA) has given its approval to Rockwool’s Rainscreen Duo Slab façade insulation product. It is the first stone wool product to gain this for use in ventilated rainscreen systems. As part of the certification process the product was tested for factors such as thermal performance, condensation risk, behaviour in relation to fire, and durability in order to meet national regulations. Rainscreen Duo Slab has achieved certification status for use as a Hybrid frame system and Rainscreen system.

“It is incredibly important to us to put our products through the BBA process, as the certification provides architects with peace of mind when specifying our products” comments Paul Barrett, Product Manager at Rockwool.

Rainscreen Duo Slab is a dual density insulation board that offers weather resistance on its outer surface whilst being installed and an inner surface that is designed to accommodate the substrate to which it is being applied. It is fire resilient and complies with Approved Document B, achieving the Euroclass classification: A1. It also complies with BR135: Fire Performance of External Insulation for Walls of Multi-Storey Buildings.

US: Owens Corning has signed an agreement to acquire Pittsburgh Corning, a producer of cellular glass insulation systems for commercial and industrial markets. Upon closing, the company will pay approximately 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. He added that the purchase will build Owen Corning’s core glass technologies.

Pittsburgh Corning employs over 1100 people in 17 countries. It operates facilities in the US, Belgium, Czechia and China. It produces Foamglas cellular glass, an insulation used for low-temperature industrial applications and in commercial buildings. The company also offers a line of accessory products. Pittsburgh Corning reported sales of over US$240m in 2016.

US: TopBuild will pay Owens Corning US$30m to settle a contract dispute from mid-2016. Owens Corning has also agreed to dismiss a lawsuit it filed in May 2016 against the insulation distributor and installer. Additional details of the settlement agreement remain confidential. Following the agreement both companies plan to resume a ‘productive and normalised’ commercial relationship whereby Owens Corning will sell residential insulation to TopBuild and its subsidiaries, including TruTeam.

US: Lapolla Industries has launched a new version of its Foam-Lok 500 spray polyurethane foam insulation product. The updated version has passed the AC 377 End Use Configuration Criteria and the producer says it meets the building code requirements for use with no additional ignition barrier required. The open cell insulation is being marketed for use in sealing the building envelope in both residential and commercial applications.

US: Huttig Building Products has announced a national distribution agreement with Knauf Insulation. The building materials distributor will carry a variety of Knauf Insulation products. The deal is the latest in a series of moves by Huttig to secure more brands and to broaden its range.