Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Ireland: Kingspan says that it expects to record a profit of Euro415m in the first half of 2022, up by 26% year-on-year from Euro329m in the first half of 2021. The company noted that its global backlog of insulated panels orders fell by 2% year-on-year in volume on 31 May 2022, having previously been up by 19% year-on-year on 31 March 2022. It said that order volumes nonetheless remained above 2019 levels.

Denmark: Rockwool recorded consolidated sales of Euro924m in the first quarter of 2022, up by 38% year-on-year from first-quarter 2021 levels. The group’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 12% year-on-year to Euro155m.

CEO Jens Birgersson “High demand and sales price increases drove double-digit revenue growth across almost all business units. While not materially affecting sales performance at this point, the terrible war in Ukraine and the challenging geopolitical situation are contributing to an already stressed global economy. Even with the price increases, the soaring energy, material, and logistics costs diluted margins in the first quarter. This will necessitate further price increases across the businesses.” Birgersson added “We expect to restore margins in the coming quarters.”

In its Outlook 2022, Rockwool predicted full-year net sales growth of 20 – 25% in local currencies and Euro425m-worth of group investments during the year, excluding acquisitions. It says that its business in Russia continues operating on a stand-alone basis, in order to avoid nationalisation and loss of its intellectual property.

UK: Mannok recorded sales of Euro270m in 2021, up by 16% year-on-year from Euro233m in 2020. The company’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 17% to Euro25.8m from Euro31.1m. The group attributed this to substantial cost absorption beginning in mid-2021. It noted particularly high raw material costs in its insulation segment due to current global shortages. Overall energy prices rose by 66% year-on-year, while the cost of carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS) credits more than doubled to Euro80/t at the end of the year.

Mannok said that demand for its products remains resilient, supported by stronger cost recovery. It added that a levelling out in energy prices has driven stronger profitability in the first quarter and April of 2022.

US: Owens Corning’s net sales from its insulation division rose by 23% year-on-year to US$859m in the first quarter of 2022 from US$700m in the same period in 2021. Its earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) grew by 15% to US$129m from US$82m. It attributed this to higher selling prices and sales volumes despite inflation and higher transport costs. Overall company net sales and adjusted EBIT increased by 23% to US$2.35bn and by 48% to US$417m respectively.

The light building materials producer also said that it made the decision to end its operations in Russia in March 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It halted all future investments in the country in April 2022. In 2021 its net sales in Russia represented approximately 1% of the company’s consolidated net sales. The company said it is “working to expedite its exit, while remaining committed to the safety and security of its employees in the country.” Owens Corning’s insulation subsidiary Paroc operates in Russia. The group also runs a composite materials plant at Gous in Russia.

Belgium: Recticel recorded consolidated sales of Euro295m in the first quarter of 2022, up by 43% year-on-year from Euro206m in the first quarter of 2021. The group attributed the growth partly to a 28% year-on-year increase in its insulation sales in the quarter. It ended the quarter with net financial debt of Euro130m, down by 12% year-on-year from Euro148m. Recticel said that the quarter brought progress towards closing its divestment of its engineered foams business line to US-based Carpenter in mid-2022.

The group said that, despite geopolitical instability and inflationary pressure, its business continues to develop well in 2022. It continues to work on accelerated growth plans in order to double its insulation sales over a period ending in 2025.

US: Installed Building Products’ income grew by 19% year-on-year to US$1.97bn in 2021 from US$1.65bn in 2020. Its adjusted earnings before taxation, interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBTIDA) rose by 16% to US$269m from US$231m. Residential market sales growth grew faster than commercial market sales growth.

France: Saint-Gobain’s sales grew by 15.8% year-on-year to Euro44.2bn in 2021 from Euro38.1bn in 2020. Its earnings before taxation, interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBTIDA) rose by 41% to Euro6.20bn from Euro4.42bn. Sales and earnings increased by 4% and 27% compared to 2019 levels before the coronavirus pandemic started. Sales revenue and operation income was reported up in all geographical regions.

“The records achieved in 2021 confirm that the group has entered a new post-transformation trajectory in terms of performance: market-beating sales growth, record earnings and margins, a high level of free cash flow generation that has more than doubled compared to previous years, and strong value creation for our shareholders thanks to strict capital allocation and the determined execution of our portfolio optimisation,” said Benoit Bazin, the chief executive officer of Saint-Gobain.

The group completed or signed 37 acquisitions in 2021, including Chryso and GCP Applied Technologies (GCP), marking its rapid expansion into the construction chemicals market. In India the group announced it was buying stone wool producer Rockwool India in December 2021. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

Saint-Gobain also reported that an ongoing investigation by the French competition authority into the building insulation productions market has reached the appeal stage. The group says that allegations of anti-competitive behaviour from 2001 to 2013 were dismissed in 2021, but that competitor insulation producer Actis appealed the decision and Saint-Gobain issued incidental appeals. The next hearing is expected by the end of 2022.

In relation to the ongoing public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire that took place in London, UK in 2017 the group said, “The extent to which Celotex may incur civil or criminal liability in connection with the production, marketing, supply or use of its products is currently unclear and Celotex and Saint-Gobain Construction Products UK are currently unable to make a reliable estimate of their potential liability in this respect.” Public hearings are anticipated to continue into mid-2022 with a final report to follow thereafter.

Belgium: Recticel’s insulation business has used price rises to compensate for a steep rise in the price of raw chemical input materials. The division’s sales grew by 57% year-on-year to Euro391m in 2021 from Euro249m in 2020. Its adjusted earnings before taxation, interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBTIDA) more than doubled to Euro62.4m from Euro27.5m. It said that its Insulation and Engineered Foams businesses performed well in a volatile environment. Chemical raw materials supply reportedly remain tight and prices are showing little signs of stabilisation. Transportation and labour costs are increasing at an “unprecedented” rate. However it added that energy cost inflation has a minor impact given the “very low energy intensity of our business.” Overall the group’s sales and adjusted EBITDA rose by 67.4% to Euro1.03bn and by 134% to Euro89.7m.

“We are happy with the very positive sales and profitability development in 2021, a year marked by deep changes in our company. Changes which were planned and announced, such as the acquisition and integration of FoamPartner and the divestment of the Bedding activities. Changes which came as a consequence of the unsolicited takeover bid by Greiner, such as the divestment of our newly created Engineered Foams business segment,” said chief executive officer Olivier Chapelle.

US: Owens Corning grew its insulation sales revenue in 2021 through increased volumes and higher prices. Its insulation business sales grew by 22% year-on-year to US$3.18bn in 2021 from US$2.61bn in 2020. Its earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) rose by 78% to US$446m from US$250m. It added that higher selling prices more than offset inflation and increased transportation costs. The group’s overall revenue rose by 20% year-on-year to US$8.50bn and its adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 41% to US$1.90bn.

“2021 was a year of tremendous accomplishment and record results for Owens Corning. Our global teams continued to elevate their performance to support our customers and generate growth in our key products and geographies, outperforming the markets we serve,” said chair and chief executive officer Brian Chambers.

Ireland: Kingspan says that it saw ‘dramatic’ price inflation from its key raw materials in 2021. To compensate it passed on around Euro700m in cost increases to the market. The group’s revenue grew by 42% year-on-year to Euro6.50bn in 2021 from Euro4.58bn in 2020. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 42% to Euro893m from Euro630m. Turnover from the group’s insulated panels business represented 65% of total revenue at Euro4.23bn and its insulation boards business represented 18% at Euro1.18bn. The insulation producer noted particular positive markets in the Americas, France and the UK.

“The business delivered an exceptional performance last year, with our growing sales to customers in the technology, online distribution, and automotive sectors instrumental in the results. Whilst dramatic input price inflation was a major feature, our cost recovery efforts helped ensure continued margin improvement,” said Gene M Murtagh, the chief executive officer of Kingspan.