Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

US: Carlisle Construction Materials has awarded a contract to Germany-based polymers producer Covestro to supply its 99%-reduced CO₂ bio-circular methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). Carlisle Construction Materials plans to use the materials in its polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation boards. Covestro says that it will supply its Mondur CQ 489 product, which will be suitable for use across Carlisle Construction Materials’ Hunter Panels, SynTec, Versico and WeatherBond product ranges. The supplier says that switching to this MDI will save 2.4t of CO₂ emissions per tonne used.

Carlisle Construction Materials president Steve Schwar said "Carlisle Construction Materials has always been at the forefront of developing high-performance construction products that lead the way in sustainability. With our new bio-based rigid foam insulation, we are demonstrating our unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility, while ensuring that our customers have access to the most advanced building materials available. Our partners play a pivotal role in the realisation of our bio-based isolation."

Covestro’s head of performance materials Hermann-Josef Doerholt said "Covestro’s vision to become fully circular requires research and development advancements that directly support the Scope 3 goals of our customers like Carlisle. Covestro has some of the most aggressive sustainability and climate targets in the chemical industry, and the further we progress in developing solutions to achieve them, the more the effects resonate along the supply chain.”

US: Owens Corning’s sales were US$5.09bn in the first half of 2024, up by 4% year-on-year from US$4.89bn in the first half 2023. The company's adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the period was US$1.31bn, up by 14% from US$1.15bn one year previously.

Chair and CEO Brian Chambers said "Owens Corning delivered another outstanding quarter, generating strong margins and cash flow while completing the acquisition of Masonite and continuing our review of glass reinforcements. Through our talented people and highly valued customer partnerships, we continue to outperform the market as we transform and grow into an even stronger residential and commercial building products company for the future."

US: Knauf Insulation has secured US$3.28m in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and verify Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for insulation. Knauf Insulation will produce the EPDs based on comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments of its products.

Knauf North America director of sustainability Gabriela Fleury said "Transparency is embedded in our core values and a key component of our business conduct. It is imperative that our product documentation provides accurate, reliable and updated information to our stakeholders. This grant will leverage the development and improvement of EPDs, which not only allows clients to make informed decisions about lower embodied carbon products, but also indicate areas of improvement to lower greenhouse gas emissions throughout our operations. This grant represents a significant sustainability leap for all of our stakeholders. It enables us to enhance our EPD portfolio, meeting increasing market demands for product transparency."

North America: The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) has reported that its members recycled 1.36Mt of materials in their insulation products in 2023. Recycling Today News has reported that the main fraction used was glass, at 1.18Mt, 87% of the total. 1.15Mt of this (77%) was used in insulation production in the US, and 191,000t (23%) in Canada. NAIMA's industry-wide recycling programme has diverted 47Mt of recycled materials into insulation production since 1992.

NAIMA president and CEO Curt Rich said "Our industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to using recycled materials in the production of these essential products. With increased focus on whole building decarbonisation, insulation products will be a critical component of that activity. Sourcing recycled materials is one way we can decrease our environmental impact while producing essential insulation materials that ultimately lower building emissions."

US: Continental Materials has appointed Ralph Bove as senior vice president strategy and growth. The company newly created the role for Bove, as part of its efforts to enhance its national presence in roofing distribution. Bove’s background includes both branch and executive management levels in national and regional independent roofing distribution. Continental Materials says that his leadership will help to ensure the continuous improvements needed to meet current and future demand and changes in the roofing industry. Continental Materials produces fibre insulation boards for roofing, alongside other materials for roofing systems.

President and CEO Peter Fischer said "We are excited to make this addition to our team. Ralph's experience in the roofing distribution business and his vast industry knowledge makes him a strong asset as we continue to expand our business and product offerings nationally. With the addition of Ralph and his professional capabilities, we continue to show our commitment to the industry with strategic growth and additional support for our valued customers."

North America: Wood fibre insulation producer TimberHP has entered into a North American distribution contract with CertainTeed. Under the contract, CertainTeed will distribute TimberHP’s products across North America, including as its exclusive distributor in Canada. When fully launched, the offering will include TimberHP’s loose fill, batt and rigid board insulation.

CertainTeed Canada CEO Julie Bonamy said "Driven by our purpose of making the world a better home, this exclusive partnership with TimberHP enhances the sustainable solutions we are bringing to our stakeholders throughout Canada."

TimberHP CEO Joshua Henry said "It is a huge vote of confidence in our technology and our team at TimberHP to partner with a brand as innovative and impactful as CertainTeed. It is essential that we mould the future of construction to be exceptionally easy, effective, energy-efficient and sustainable, and we look forward to addressing those industry needs together."

US: The National Insulation Association (NIA) has renamed its President’s Award as the Ronald King Distinguished Service Award. The award is the NIA’s highest recognition of outstanding service. The rebrand honours industry veteran Ron King, who received the award twice, in 1986 and 2001.

Speaking of King, NIA President Laura Dover said “We are deeply grateful for your invaluable service to the NIA and this industry.”

US: Owens Corning has launched an offer to exchange any and all outstanding 3.5% senior notes due 2030 issued by Masonite International Corporation for new notes to be issued by Owens Corning. Masonite is currently soliciting consents to adopt proposed amendments to the indenture governing its existing notes, aiming to eliminate certain covenants, restrictive provisions and events of default from the indenture.

The parties agreed to Owens Corning’s acquisition of Masonite in February 2024, and expect to complete the deal in mid-2024.

US: The US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has begun investigating Kingspan Insulated Panels following allegations of anti-trade union behaviour. The Irish Times newspaper has reported that the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) lodged complaints citing unfair labour practices at a plant in California.

Kingspan rebutted the claims, which it says are designed to damage its reputation after it refused to sign a neutrality agreement with unions. The producer says that the agreement in question would infringe upon its employees' privacy and voting rights.

US: The National Insulation Association (NIA) has announced its new appointments to its executive committee and board of directors for 2024. Johns Manville’s senior industrial product manager Jack Bittner takes over as NIA president, with Performance Contracting’s senior vice president operations Rick Sutphin serving as president elect. Thermal Solutions’ president John Stevens will be NIA secretary and treasurer, and Systems Undercover’s operations manager Lee Stuckenschmidt will be assistant treasurer.

Representing different regions of the US on the board, Brian Willett of Gribbins Insulation Company will serve the Central States Association, Rick Baptista of Irex Contracting Group will serve the Eastern States Insulation Contractors Association, Matt Hymer of Midwest Materials will serve the Midwest Insulation Contractors Association, Matt Caldwell of Caldwell Insulation will serve the Southeastern Insulation Contractors Association, David Patrick of Specialty Products & Insulation will serve the Southwest Insulation Contractors Association and Shawn Reichenbach of Performance Contracting will serve the Western Insulation Contractors Association.