Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Germany: Va-Q-Tec is increasing its equity stake in Sumteq, a technology company that develops innovative polymer nanofoams with insulation properties, to expand its portfolio of high-performance products. Va-Q-Tec initially acquired an equity stake in Sumteq in autumn 2015. As technological and sales milestones have been achieved ahead of time, Va-Q-Tec is now supporting Sumteq with further funds for its further development.

Both companies are also linked by a strategic partnership. Joint objectives include the pilot testing and market launch of Sumteq products as a further high-performance insulation material, as well as knowledge exchange on the development and production of nanoporous and mesoporous foams. The strategic partnership offers both companies the possibility to contribute their respective expertise and consequently create added value for their customers.

"As an innovative start-up, Sumteq with its new type of nanofoam possesses a highly interesting and groundbreaking product for many markets. We'll be happy to contribute our expertise to assist its market launch. The Sumteq technology has the potential to fundamentally revolutionise nanocell foam production. We're convinced Sumteq’s nanofoams provide an excellent supplement to our vacuum insulation panels. They fit excellently into our long-term technology roadmap," said Joachim Kuhn, co-founder and CEO of Va-Q-Tec.

Russia: TechnoNicol has started operation at a Euro105m mineral wool plant in the south of the Rostov region. The new unit will produce four types of rock wool products. Future plans for the site include the production of pipe and roof insulation and exports to markets in Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

Denmark: Sales from Rockwool’s insulation business have fallen slightly by 2% year-on-year to Euro1.22bn in the first nine months of 2016 from Euro1.24bn in the same period in 2015. However, the group reported this as a 1.2% rise in local currencies. Earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) rose by 61% to Euro114m from Euro71m. By region it said that sales performed well in North America, showed signs of improvement in Western Europe but continued to decline in Russia.

Ireland: Kingspan’s sales have risen by 13% year-on-year to Euro2.27bn for the first nine months of 2016 from Euro2bn in the same period in 2015. Sales by its insulated panels division rose by 17% driven by good markets in the UK, France and Benelux, although slowdowns were reported in Germany and the US. Sales by its insulation board division rose by 6% with positive performance noted in the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia and the US. The insulation producer noted in its interim trading report that the weakening Pound Sterling against the Euro was negatively impacting its Sterling denominated earnings.

Russia: Restrictions on imports have stopped Paroc from transporting stone from its Lapinlahti in Finland to its insulation plant in Russia. Joakim Westerlund, Paroc's chief operating officer, said that the import restrictions on crushed rock material were imposed with relatively short notice in summer 2016 according to the Savon Sanomat newspaper. Subsequently the insulation producer has had to source stone locally in Russia. Quarrying at Lapinlahti for Paroc by Fjäder Group has previously totalled 20,000t/yr.