Global Gypsum Newsletter

Rockwool raises sales in 2025

Denmark: Rockwool recorded full-year sales of €3.88bn in 2025, up by 1% year-on-year from €3.86bn in 2024. Nonetheless, group earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 8% year-on-year from €940m to €864m in 2024. The producer partly attributed this to two plant closures, a ‘production incident’ at a plant in Switzerland and ‘lower performance’ in its former Russian business, which the Russian government forcibly transferred to Rozvitok Stroitelnykh Aktivov in January 2026.

Rockwool reduced its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO₂ emissions by 20% between 2019 and 2025, against a 2034 goal of 38%. Its insulation products sold in 2025 will, over their lifetime, save more than 100 times the energy used to produce them, according to the producer.

Looking ahead to 2026, Rockwool forecast 2 – 4% sales growth in local currencies. Capacity expansions are underway in India, Romania and the US, with a new plant project in France scheduled to recommence later in the year. ‘Several large plants’ are also undergoing conversion to electric melting, bringing total investments for the year to €650m, excluding acquisitions.

Qoraqalpoq Basaltwool launches 50,000t/yr Nukus stone wool insulation plant

Uzbekistan: Qoraqalpoq Basaltwool has launched a new US$52.4m, 50,000t/yr stone wool insulation plant in Nukus. The project is one of 437 construction sector projects worth a combined US$3.6bn in 2025 – 2026.

Knauf Insulation UK’s Shotton plant approved for €16.6m government funding

UK: Local development body Ambition North Wales has approved Knauf Insulation UK’s outline business case for €16.6m in funding under the government’s UK Growth Deal for its upcoming 100,000t/yr Shotton mineral wool insulation plant in Flintshire, Wales. The plant will be equipped with a submerged arc furnace. When operational, it will employ 137 people. Local press has reported that the Shotton plant occupies the site of a former Tata Steel facility.

Knauf Insulation’s McGregor plant wins McLennan County Outstanding Large Employer award

US: Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas named Knauf Insulation's McGregor insulation plant its Outstanding Large Employer in McLennan County at an event on 15 January 2026.

Knauf Insulation North America CEO Matt Parrish said "This recognition reflects our commitment to investing in people, fostering opportunity and creating a culture where innovation and community go hand in hand. We are proud to call Central Texas home and look forward to shaping its future together."

Russian government transfers Rockwool’s Russian assets to Rozvitok Stroitelnykh Aktivov

Russia: The Russian government has transferred the Russian assets of Denmark-based Rockwool to local company Rozvitok Stroitelnykh Aktivov. The New Voice of Ukraine newspaper has reported that Rozvitok Stroitelnykh Aktivov received a 100% stake in one entity, identified as ‘Rockwool,’ and a 68% stake in another, ‘Rockwool-Volga.’ The forthcoming Global Insulation Directory 2026 lists four Rockwool mineral wool insulation plants in Russia: Rockwool Volga’s Alabuga plant in Tatarstan, Rockwool Ural’s Troitsk plant in Chelyabinsk, Rockwool Sever’s Vyborg plant in Leningrad and CSJC Mineralnaya Vata’s Zheleznodorozhny plant in Moscow. Following the 24 February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Rockwool continued to run its Russian plants as a standalone entity, but cancelled a US$233m expansion to its Vyborg plant, withdrew US$62.3m and donated US$77.9m to the Foundation for Ukraine's Reconstruction.

Rockwool said “What we are seeing is an obvious breach of all international rules. It is indisputably illegal by any standard. We intend to use all legal avenues to defend our assets and prevent them from falling into Russian hands.”

Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International elects 2026 board

US: The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International (RIMA International) has elected its 2026 Board of Directors. The association appointed RoyOMartin's Bobby Byrd as its president, replacing past president Mike Boulding of Fi-Foil Company. MWI Components' Philip Ramstack will serve as RIMA’s vice president and EchoTape's Mark Lovan as secretary and treasurer. Celplast Metallized Products' Dante Ferrari, Low-E's Paul McIlwee, Fi-Foil Company's Rodney Miller, Balcan Innovations' Kelly Myers, LP Building Solutions' Neil Freidberg and Prodex's Sergio Luconi all step into directorial positions.