Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Russia: TechnoNicol intends to invest Euro65.3m to establish a cluster of automated insulation materials plants in Khabarovsk, Russia.

The project is expected to generate more than 270 new jobs. The units, which will utilise stone wool and extruded polystyrene foam to produce insulation materials, is expected to support domestic demand, reduce the cost of construction products by 25% and improve the energy-efficiency of buildings in the region by 46%. TechnoNicol also plans to increase its exports to the Asia Pacific region and the Americas.

US: Roxul Inc, part of Rockwool International, has opened its first US manufacturing facility near Byhalia, Mississippi. The 600,000ft², US$160m plant was first announced in 2012 and broke ground in May 2013. Production began on Roxul's stone wool insulation products in June 2014. The company will employ 150 people when it reaches full capacity.

"When conducting our site selection due diligence, it was clear the state of Mississippi and Marshall County provided us the optimal location from both a manufacturing and distribution standpoint," said Trent Ogilvie, Roxul's chairman and managing director. "The support that Roxul has received from the community and the state has been terrific. We couldn't have found a better place to call home."

Turkmenistan: A feasibility study and project documentation for the construction of plants that will produce basalt fibre is being developed in Turkmenistan, according to local media. Basalt fibre for the production of thermal insulation will be developed from domestic raw materials in the coming years. The prototypes models of the superfine fibres were produced from rocks from the fields of the Balkan Velayat Region.