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Building Research Establishment ends relationship with Kingspan and Celotex
Written by Global Insulation staff
06 July 2023
UK: Testing provider the Building Research Establishment (BRE) has informed Kingspan and Saint-Gobain subsidiary Celotex of its decision to break off its relationship with them due to perceived 'reputational risk.' Insulation supplied by Kingspan (Kooltherm K15 phenolic insulation) and Celotex (RS5000 polyisocyanurate insulation) was present in Grenfell Tower, London, when it burned down in June 2017. 72 people died in the fire. Both producers deny having contributed to the disaster. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry investigated the relationship between each company and the BRE during its inquest into the fire. A final report is currently in preparation following the conclusion of Phase 2 hearings in 2022.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry heard that Kingspan had marketed its Kooltherm K15 panels for general use in high rise construction, relying on tests carried out at a BRE facility with a system involving external fibre cement panels, of a sort not used in Grenfell Tower. Subsequent tests of the product, carried out by Kingspan, included one which resulted in a 'raging inferno.' Meanwhile, Celotex added fire-resistant board to a rig used in testing in 2014, reportedly to increase its products' chances of passing.
Inside Housing News has reported that BRE said “BRE no longer accepts any new work on behalf of Kingspan or Celotex following evidence heard during the course of this inquiry.”
Kingspan clarified that "There is no product performance basis for [BRE's] decision,” adding that its panels had shown zero non-conformities in their most recent audit in December 2022. It said “Independently of BRE, whose certification is regionally focused on the UK and Ireland, Kingspan is certified by the globally recognised insurer testing regime FM Approvals, which carries out annual factory surveillance audits to verify our products comply with its global approval standards."
Etex acquires Superglass
Written by Global Insulation staff
28 June 2023
UK: Belgium-based Etex has concluded a deal to acquire glass wool insulation producer Superglass. Superglass operates the Stirling glass wool insulation plant in Stirling, Scotland, and employs 200 people. Etex says that the acquisition will increase its number of employees in its insulation division, which operates 11 plants across Europe, to 1500, and its total UK-based employees to 1300. Etex already produces gypsum wallboard, fibre cement sidings and slates and fibre cement corrugated sheets in the UK.
CEO Bernard Delvaux said “Etex has a clear focus to be the most innovative and sustainable global lightweight building material manufacturer. Joining forces with Superglass today is a great step forward on our growth path in insulation, just one year after we acquired URSA. The need for energy efficient and sustainable buildings is crucial, and Superglass and URSA are a perfect answer for it.”
Naturheld's Hütten wood fibre insulation plant ready for commercial operations
Written by Global Insulation staff
23 June 2023
Germany: Grenzebach says that it has completed the construction of the Hütten wood fibre insulation plant in Bavaria's Neustadt an der Waldnaab District for Ziegler Group subsidiary Naturheld. The plant took a total of 12 months to build, and will run on 100% renewable energy. Naturheld will use waste wood from Ziegler Group's wood processing operations in the region. Grenzebach says that it developed a novel wood blending system for implementation at the plant. The supplier said that the plant has a wood fibre production capacity of 6t/hr, and is capable of expanding to 10t/hr. The plant gives Ziegler Group the capacity to produce 1.5Mm2/yr of its wood fibre insulation product.
Managing director Stefan Ziegler said "Building the wood fiber insulation board plant within such an extremely short period was possible only thanks to the close cooperation with a renowned automation partner of international standing like Grenzebach. As a solution provider, Grenzebach supplied both the necessary product and technical know-how and expertise and was able to make the required capacities available at all times."
Austrotherm to build Euro12m EPS insulation plant in Zabok
Written by Global Insulation staff
22 June 2023
Croatia: Austria-based Austrotherm plans to invest Euro12m in the construction of a new expanded polystyrene insulation plant in Zabok, near Zagreb. SeeNews has reported that the plant is scheduled for commissioning in early-mid 2024. When operational, Austrotherm expects it to employ 30 people.
Chief executive officer Klaus Haberfellner said "More than 60% of Croatian homes are poorly insulated or not insulated at all." He added "There is also significant potential for insulation of buildings on the popular Croatian Adriatic coast."
Technostyle to enter Azerbaijani insulation market
Written by Global Insulation staff
20 June 2023
Azerbaijan: Russia-based Technostyle has indicated its intention to launch its polyisocyanurate (PIR) sandwich panel insulation on the Azerbaijani market.
The Azerbaijan Industry Review newspaper has reported that Technostyle's PIR panels project manager Aleksey Demyanov said "We are confident in the quality of our sandwich panels and engineering solutions, which can significantly contribute to the construction industry. We strive to become reliable partners for Azerbaijani construction companies, offering them advanced technologies and helping them to implement ambitious projects."