Insulation industry news from Global Insulation
Owens Corning sells Belarusian and Russian assets to Umatex 08 December 2022
Belarus/Russia: US-based Owens Corning has agreed to sell its Belarusian and Russian assets to materials and technologies company Umatex. Umatex is a subsidiary of Russian state-owned nuclear power provider Rosatom. World Service Wire News has reported that the assets in question include the Gus-Khrustalny glasswool plant in Vladimir Oblast and the Tver mineral wool insulation plant in Tver Oblast, both in Russia.
Owens Corning chair and CEO Brian Chambers said "This announcement represents the final step in our process to fully exit our operations in Russia. I would like to thank our colleagues in Russia for their contributions to our company and customers over the years."
Dow launches V PLUS Perform Next polyurethane insulation in Europe 08 December 2022
Europe: Dow has announced the European launch of V PLUS Perform Next, a polyurethane (PU) insulation product for use in insulated metal panels. V PLUS Perform Next insulation contains alternative raw materials from circular feedstocks, including bio-based feedstocks. Dow allocates the feedstocks based on a mass balance chain of custody, validated by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). It produces V PLUS Perform Next using over 25% renewable energy.
Dow PU construction insulation marketing fellow Alberto Mercati said “The new EU Energy Performance of Buildings directive adds urgency for buildings that require energy efficient insulation with decreased embodied carbon. For the last five years, V PLUS Perform has enabled insulated metal panel manufacturers to deliver building envelopes that couple energy efficiency and fire safety. V PLUS Perform Next supports insulated panel manufacturers to select lower carbon and circular construction ingredients from the design phase to the delivery of a novel class of products for more sustainable buildings.”
Rockwool insulation used in rebuilding of Mariupol 08 December 2022
Ukraine: Rockwool confirmed on 5 December 2022 that builders used some of its products in rebuilding work in Russian-occupied Mariupol, Donetsk. Rockwool clarified that it did not supply the materials, which it says had been delivered by a third party.
Rockwool's communications manager Michael Zarin said it is 'almost impossible' for the company to control distributors' activities. Zarin said "The company strongly condemns the war in Ukraine and hopes for an early solution."