Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Russia: TechnoNicol plans to launch production of its polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam insulation plant in the Ryazan region on 24 May 2016. The new plant will have a production capacity of 30Mm². Investment in the project amounts to Euro22.6m according to local press. The plant was originally scheduled for launch in the autumn of 2015.

Poland: Ineos Enterprises has agreed in principle to sell Ineos Styrenics, its expandable polystyrene (EPS) business, to Synthos for Euro80m. Completion of the transaction is likely to occur in the second half of 2016, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Ineos Styrenics produces EPS for the building, construction and packaging industries at manufacturing sites at Wingles and Ribécourt in Northern France and Breda in the Netherlands. The three production sites are supported by its technology Centre in Breda. Customer Service, Logistics and Finance groups are also located in Breda. The business employs around 250 people who will transfer as part of this deal.

“The aim of the acquisition will be to provide the highest quality EPS to ensure that EPS remain the insulation material of choice for our customers.” said Tomasz Kalwat, CEO of Synthos.

Synthos S.A. is one of the largest manufacturers of chemical raw materials in Poland. The company is the first European manufacturer of emulsion rubbers and is a leading manufacturer of polystyrene for foaming applications. The Company is traded on the Polish stock exchange with its headquarters located in Oświęcim

Sweden: On 4 May 2016 Climate Recovery Ind AB Kalmar announced an agreement with Maschinen Production Negeli (MPN) to provide air duct production equipment to support the launch of the Climate Recovery (CR) Duct System. The CR Duct System offers benefits including: flat packaging of a round system, with up to 90 meters of duct on a single pallet; 50% lighter and 50% faster installation than sheet metal competition; noise damping qualities up to 6dBa/metre; and a more sustainable approach to the air-conditioning and ventilation markets.

MPN is a leading manufacturer of pipe section production units for glass wool, stone wool and ceramic wool and fully automatic aluminium-facing production units for pipe sections. The agreement between the two companies is an effort to secure the worldwide expansion and launch of the system. Grand Bernhardsson, President of Climate Recovery, said, “Working with MPN offers us the chance to offer our products and production on a much larger, international scale. Our goal is to industrialise this fragmented market at a global level.”

Ireland: Kingspan has reported that its group sales rose by 25% year-on-year to Euro903m for the first four months of 2016. It also noted in an interim management statement that order placement in the non-residential segments in the UK had eased ahead of the referendum on European Union (EU) membership scheduled for late June 2016. Insulated panel sales rose by 37% in the period. Insulated board sales rose by 11% driven by strong UK sales and supported by Europe and the US.

Chief executive Gene Murtagh also said at the company’s annual general meeting on 5 May 2016 that the insulation producer had made an investment in a facility selling duct insulation in Iran. The unit is expected to be in production later in 2016 supported by the company‘s UAE business, according to the Irish Independent.

Germany: Evonik Industries is acquiring the Performance Materials Division of Air Products and Chemicals for US$3.8bn. The products it is acquiring from Air Products include ingredients for insulation foams, sun lotion and paint as well as additives to harden aircraft and marine coatings. The transaction is intended to be completed by the end of 2016 subject to approval from relevant competition authorities.

“Evonik is already one of the leading producers of specialty & coating additives. Air Products’ Specialty & Coating Additives business perfectly complements this fast-growing segment. With this acquisition we are expanding our portfolio with precisely the right markets, products and innovations and continuing to invest in our growth and profitability,” said Klaus Engel, chief executive officer of Evonik Industries.

Air Products’ specialty and coating additives business will be integrated into the Nutrition & Care and Resource Efficiency segments of Evonik. The acquisition will also give Evonik a greater presence in North America, diversifying its markets outside of Europe. It also expects to generate savings of up to US$80m/year from the deal by 2020.