Insulation industry news from Global Insulation
Explosion at Xinhong Thermal Insulation kills eight
05 November 2018China: An explosion at the Xinhong Thermal Insulation Materials Company plant in Lankao county in Henan province has killed eight people and injured another. An initial investigation has found that it was caused by a propane leak, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
System under scrutiny following London tower fire
15 June 2017UK: Exterior cladding systems have come under scrutiny in the aftermath of a devastating fire at a tower block in west London that has killed at least 17 people. The system was retrofitted in 2016 to the 24-storey building that was originally built in the 1970s, according to Reuters. Concerns have been raised about the speed the fire spread. Suspicions have targeted the flammability of the insulation panels used in the façade and whether fireproof barriers were installed properly at the site. It is believed that wall fixings, exterior zinc panels and insulation panels were used in the cladding according to a planning document relating to the building that was published by the local government in 2012. It is unknown whether the insulation material included any fire retardant chemical additives.
“Without knowledge of the specific materials used we cannot say at this early stage if any of the conclusions above are relevant to this tragic incident, but the increasing use of combustible materials in construction needs to be addressed if further events are to be avoided,” said Jim Glockling, Technical Director at the Fire Protection Agency (FPA). He added that the FPA believes that local building regulations need to be updated to consider, “both the external envelope of the building and its resilience to fire ingress.”
Prime minister Theresa May has ordered a full public inquiry into the incident.
US: William W Boeschenstein, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Owens Corning has died. He joined the company in 1950 and served as chief executive officer from 1973 to 1990, and chairman from 1981 to 1990. He was the son of Owens Corning's first chief executive officer, Harold Boeschenstein. These two men led the company for more than 50 years.
"Bill's strong values and commitment to integrity created a culture that is still thriving today at Owens Corning," said Mike Thaman, Owens Corning chairman and chief executive officer. "As a former colleague and personal friend, Bill will be missed for his contributions to the company, and for his generous support to our community."
Boeschenstein graduated from Yale University and served in the US Army Air Force during World War II, prior to joining Owens Corning. Under his leadership as chief executive officer, Boeschenstein shaped both the direction of the company and its industries. During this tenure, Owens Corning grew its annual sales from approximately US$615m to approximately US$3bn. Highlights of Boeschenstein career include resisting a hostile takeover in the 1980s and maintaining the company’s independence. He was also instrumental in Owens Corning's decision to utilise the Pink Panther in its advertising to link the colour of its insulation to the cartoon character.