Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

US: The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) has opposed the Washington State government’s identification of all organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) as a priority chemical for additional regulations, including a possible ban. PIMA, along with other industry associations, argues that a blanket treatment of OFRs ignores variations in their chemical structure and risk profiles, thereby complicating efforts to identify safer alternatives while continuing to ensure insulation’s performance and fire safety.

US: Holcim US has signed a deal to acquire advanced insulation systems producer Ox Engineered Products for US$136m. Switzerland-based Holcim says that the deal is scheduled for completion later in 2024. Ox Engineered Products’ product range includes IsoREDCi polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation and Ox-IS and Strong-R insulated structural sheathing.

Holcim CEO Miljan Gutovic said "Ox Engineered Products is the ideal addition to Holcim’s business in North America, with its complementary range of proprietary technologies and trusted brands. Its premium solutions enable us to offer the full suite of building envelope systems to our North America customers, from residential to commercial applications. I warmly welcome all 210 employees of Ox Engineered Products to the Holcim family."

Germany: Bauder has launched BauderECO FF, an 80% biomass polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation for flat roofs. Construction Management News has reported that the product offers 75% reduced CO₂ compared with conventional PIR insulation, and is compatible with the Bauder Total Roof System and Thermofol warm roof waterproofing products.

Ukraine: Construction firm Rauta recorded 15% year-on-year growth in the Ukrainian insulation sector’s domestic sales of insulated sandwich panels in the first half of 2024. Meanwhile, imports of the product dropped by 12% over the same comparison period. Consumption totalled 1Mm², in line with 2023 volumes. Business World News has reported that Rauta noted a shift from other panel types towards polyisocyanurate (PIR) core panels.

Construction activity remains mostly concentrated in Western Ukraine due to the on-going Russian invasion in other areas of the country, with investors reportedly remaining cautious. Ukraine’s construction market has declined by 60 – 70% from antebellum levels in 2021.

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.”

World: Market research firm Future Market Insights (FMI) has forecast a composite annual growth rate of 6% in the global polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation market up to 2033. This will result in 81% decade-on-decade growth to US$25.6bn in 2033. FMI noted technical developments affecting the use of customised PIR boards in the prefabricated construction as a main driver of the growth. Nationally, the market will have a CAGR of 8% in China, 7% in India, 6% in the UK, 5% in Canada and 4% in Germany.

FMI said “In the rapidly changing world of PIR insulation, innovation and sustainability have emerged as dynamic forces reshaping the industry’s trajectory. The market is going through a fundamental shift, moving beyond its traditional role of providing insulation and into uncharted territory where cutting-edge technologies are poised to redefine its boundaries.”

North America: Kingspan Insulated Panels North America has released its second annual sustainability report, detailing progress in the third year of the company’s Planet Passionate sustainability initiative. In 2023, Kingspan advanced its use of renewable energy, converting its DeLand, Florida, insulation plant to 100% on-site solar power. The producer reduced its total Scope 1 and 2 CO₂ emissions by 5% year-on-year and its water consumption by 2.17ML compared to 2022. It partnered with Belter Tech to divert 454,000kg of polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam from landfill.

Director of Sustainability Brent Trenga said "Planet Passionate is transforming the business on all levels, recognised by our leadership, employees and the building professionals we collaborate with. We are proud of our 2023 achievements and continue to strive for new milestones in 2024."

Switzerland: Holcim Technology has patented a new process to produce boards from isocyanurate foam, Chemicals & Chemistry has reported. The board has a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam core, produced by reacting an isocyanate compound with an aromatic polyester polyol in the presence of a blowing agent mixture.

UK: France-based waterproofing and insulation group Soprema has agreed to acquire a 75% stake in Celotex. Dow Jones Institutional News has reported that Celotex is presently a subsidiary of Soprema’s fellow France-based conglomerate Saint-Gobain. After completion of the deal in early 2024, Saint-Gobain says that it will retain a 25% stake in Celotex.

Celotex controls the Ipswich polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation plant in Suffolk.

US: Holcim Building Envelope supplied insulation and roofing systems, including its Elevate ISOGARD polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation boards, to the 62-storey Winthrop Center tower block in Boston, Massachusetts. The Winthrop Center is the largest office building ever built on the Passive House positive energy efficiency model. Holcim Building Envelope says that its insulation and roofing systems deliver 40% better thermal performance than competing products, helping the block to achieve a 150% reduction in net energy use compared to an average Class A building in Boston.

Holcim Building Envelope commercial roofing systems & lining president Kristin Beck said "The Passive House certification of the Winthrop Center highlights the superior sustainable performance and quality of our Elevate products. This certification reinforces the effectiveness of Holcim's innovative building envelope solutions in significantly reducing energy consumption, and it also sets a standard for sustainable construction in cold climate regions."