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Insulation industry news from Global Insulation
Saudi Arabia: Knauf Exeed Insulation has won a contract to provide insulation to reduce the noise levels at Saudi Arabia's Grand Mosque as it undergoes extension.
"We are proud to be part of this historic project. The Grand Mosque is the main attraction for over 16 million pilgrims who enter Makkah each year. Our challenge is to provide noise reduction for the worshippers using the most sustainable eco-friendly insulation materials," said Daniele Cerutti, general manager of Knauf Exeed Insulation. "The consultants and the contractors opted for KB blanket insulation, a lightweight blanket of glasswool bonded with Ecose technology. In line with sustainable practices, Ecose uses natural and more sustainable organic materials than the non-renewable, phenol-formaldehyde or acrylic based resins traditionally used."
US: Knauf Insulation's plant in Huguley Industrial Park, Alabama will double its production capacity in June 2015, according to Aaron Wine, plant manager. The plant currently produces 200t/day of insulation. With the expansion, that capacity will grow to 400t/day.
During the housing slowdown Knauf shuttered its Lanett plant, which was put back into operation in 2013. According to Wine, the plant makes batts of insulation and blow-in wool. With the new line that is being installed, the Lanett plant will have the capability to produce rolls of insulation as well. When the new line goes online, employment will grow to 215.
Messer and Knauf invest in Škofja Luka
13 April 2015Slovenia: Germany's Knauf Insulation, which is switching from coke to natural gas as part of an upgrade at one of its three stone wool production lines, will be the main user of what is to be Messer's first oxygen production plant in Slovenia and one of around 30 in Europe.
"This will be the most technologically-developed line in Europe and will mean a great competitive edge for the company," said Knauf Insulation boss Tomaž Lanišek.
Using natural gas requires oxygen and Lanišek described the investments of Knauf and Messer Slovenija as complementary. He pointed out that CO2 and sulphur and nitrogen oxides emissions would be halved. "Messer is becoming a partner company in our future plans at our location," said Lanišek.
Messer said that this was its biggest investment in the country to date and was expected to generate 15 to 20 new jobs. The company's CEO Danilo Lukač explained that the plant would produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon.
Knauf Insulation's Chambers County plant plans US$30m expansion
17 October 2014US: Less than a year after reopening a shuttered plant, Knauf Insulation has announced plans to double production at its Chambers County plant in Alabama, adding up to 100 new workers. The expansion, which should be complete by the middle of 2015, will make the 800,000ft2 plant one of the largest insulation plants in the USA.
The US$30m expansion includes a significant upgrade in equipment, according to Joey Viselli, Knauf's vice president for corporate and public affairs. "When this expansion is through, the plant will produce more insulation than it has ever produced before," said Viselli.
Knauf shuttered the plant in 2010 in response to the collapse of the housing market. Company officials credited Alabama State with recruiting them to return when the market began to improve. Viselli said that the decision to expand was based on continued positive growth in the national economy, the growth of Knauf’s business and an inviting business culture in Alabama.
Knauf closes former Guardian Insulation Mineral Wells plant
13 October 2014US: Knauf Insulation will close a Mississippi plant it recently acquired because of the high cost to upgrade the facility. Knauf has announced that 110 employees at the plant in Mineral Wells, Mississippi, had been given notice that production would end at the site.
“In the two months since the acquisition of Guardian Insulation, we have conducted a detailed analysis of our new footprint,” Knauf Insulation North America CEO Mark Andrews said. “The analysis examined the investments required to upgrade and expand both the quality and quantity of product being manufactured in our facilities. Unfortunately, the results of this analysis have led us to make the difficult decision to close the Mineral Wells plant. This morning, we started sharing the news with Mineral Wells employees that we are ending all production at the plant today.”
According to Andrews, the main drivers were the structure and condition of the Mineral Wells facility. No reasonable amount of capital investment in the plant could bring it up to the expected standards. The closure will allow Knauf to invest in its remaining facilities. Andrews added that Knauf was committed to retaining and serving its customers out of its other plants.
Minimal damage from fire at insulation plant
09 October 2014
US: A fire was reported at Knauf Insulation’s insulation plant, which was formerly a Guardian Industries plant, in Albion, Michigan on 8 October 2014. According to local media, the fire started in one of the ovens and spread through the ducts to the smoke stack. Damage is thought to be minimal, although the equipment remains to be fully inspected.
Knauf reports a large profit drop in Denmark in 2013
15 August 2014Denmark: Knauf's Danish operations has posted weaker than expected 2013 results. Net profit declined to Euro10.2m from Euro17.8m in 2012 and for the first time in many years turnover did not exceed Euro134m. The decline in turnover and profit was attributed to financial crises in some of the company's export markets. Knauf's managing director, Morten la Cour Ørnstrand-Søborg, expects export markets to pick up and that Knauf will post better results in 2014.
Knauf Insulation completes Guardian Insulation acquisition
14 August 2014US: Knauf Insulation has completed its acquisition of Guardian Insulation. The transaction includes Guardian Fiberglass and Guardian Laminated Building Products. Guardian Fiberglass will be integrated into Knauf Insulation and Guardian Laminated Building Products has become Silvercote, LLC.
"This is a landmark day for Knauf Insulation. This acquisition is an important step in our mission to become the global leader in energy efficient systems for buildings," said Mark Andrews, CEO of Knauf Insulation in North America. "Combining the talent from two complementary organisations will help to create an exceptional company with leadership in technology, innovation and sustainability. Our customers are going to see clear benefits, not the least being greater flexibility that comes with an expanded manufacturing footprint. With more than double the production capacity of glass mineral wool at our disposal, this integration will certainly position Knauf Insulation as a leading manufacturer throughout North America that is more than capable of meeting the needs of a growing market."
Synbra acquires Knauf Insulation business
25 July 2014Benelux Region: Building insulation and packaging group Synbra is consolidating its position in the Benelux Region, which encompasses Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg, with the acquisition of the local expanded polystyrene (EPS) activities of Knauf Insulation.
Synbra's subsidiary, IsoBouw Systems, is set to take over the region's Knauf manufacturing and sales operations, including an EPS plant in Oosterhout Municipality, Holland, by 1 August 2014. The Oosterhout plant produces EPS and wood wool products, although IsoBouw Systems said that it plans to close the EPS unit.
Synbra's Etten-Leur said that the acquisition is a strategic move for IsoBouw, which will continue to supply EPS insulation products from its own plants in the Wijchen, Someren and Oldenzaal Municipalities in the Netherlands.
"IsoBouw is the EPS specialist in the Benelux Region," said IsoBouw's general manager, Will Kemperman. "The acquired business unit fits perfectly with our current activities. This gives us even more space to focus on innovative product developments." The move will also strengthen the position of its existing customers in the market.
Knauf Insulation retains a glass wool production facility at Visé, Belgium as well as EPS plants in Germany at Wadersloh, Bad Waldsee and Hermeskeil. The firm also operates extruded polystyrene (XPS) plants in France, Italy and the UK.
Tasman Insulation appeals Batt trademark ruling
12 June 2014Australia: Fletcher Building's subsidiary Tasman Insulation, which makes Pink Batts insulation, is appealing against a High Court decision that a rival using the word 'batts' was not in breach of trademarks.
The High Court in Auckland in May 2014 handed down a multi-pronged decision on a long-running dispute between Tasman Insulation and Knauf Insulation, which makes the rival Earthwool products. Justice Brendan Brown ruled that Tasman's claim largely succeeded. However, claims that Tasman's trademarks were infringed by Knauf using the word 'batt' and 'batts' in packaging were not upheld.
The Court of Appeal has confirmed that Tasman has lodged an appeal against the ruling and a hearing date has yet to be set. The dispute canvassed a range of claims, including false advertising and intellectual property breaches. The case has run since 2011.