Poland: Rockwool has inaugurated a Euro80m mineral wool production line at its Cigacice plant. The new line will allow the introduction of a new portfolio focusing on products for flat roofs and exterior walls. It will also allow for improved product quality, higher production efficiency and improved environmental credentials.

“The investment in Poland not only gives us the opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology in producing innovative stone wool solutions, we are now also positioned for further growth,” said CEO Jens Birgersson. He attended the inauguration with the managing director of Rockwool Polska Andrzej Kielar and other local Polish authority figures.

Thailand: Eastern Polymer Group has set aside US$8m to research and development of its insulation business. The funding will go towards new products and to enhance its production line with automatic and high-speed machinery for thermal insulation products under the Aeroflex brand, both domestic and international. Overall the company has set a revenue target of up to US$312m for its 2016 - 2017 financial year with a budget of US$57m for capital expenditure and mergers and acquisitions across its main businesses, according to the Nation.

Russia: TechnoNicol has completed the construction of a mineral wool plant in the Rostov region. The plant is currently undergoing commissioning and testing with operation planned for mid-July 2016. The company has invested Euro44m into the site. Once operational the plant will be able to produce six groups of products, including more than 90 types of basalt-based thermal insulation products.

The roofing and insulation producer has also announced that it intends to build a Euro44m mineral wool plant in Kazakhstan. Irek Allayarov, director of the company’s mineral isolation department, said that the company is in the process of selecting potential sites for the unit. A final decision will be made by the end of 2016.

Russia: Rockwool has updated the package design of its Light Batts Skandic heat insulation material for private house building in Russia. The packaging now contains additional information signs, a barcode, information about the tiles’ geometry and the package volume. These were previously featured on a paper label. The new design is intended to aid customers understand how to use the product properly and calculate the necessary amount of the heat insulation.

Light Batts Skandic products with 50mm thick tiles are being produced in the renewed design at the Rockwool plant in Yelabuga. The plant in Vyborg will switch to the paper labelling by the end of August 2016.