Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Singapore: Insulation foams producer Armacell has been recognised for its pioneering initiative on environmental certification in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The recognition came from UL Environment, which presented Armacell with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Certification during a workshop on Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Product Declarations.

Lisa Meier, UL Environment vice president and global general manager, acknowledged Armacell as the first company to receive EPDs from UL Environment in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Stephen Hodson, general manager of marketing APAC, said that, "The EPDs are highly important for providing product information to designers of green buildings in Asia."

Armacell's latest EPDs cover seven premium products that are sold across the Asia Pacific region. The initiative, said Armacell's technical manager for APAC Peter Cheng, makes Armacell the first insulation company to receive EPDs from UL Environment in APAC.

Demand for EPDs is growing in response to a change in green building guidelines and design practices. The US Green Building Council's LEED green building programme is now placing emphasis on life cycle assessment (LCA) based environmental reporting and transparency, rewarding points for the use of products with EPDs and LCAs as part of the Material and Resources (MR) Credits. Outside of the US, four of the top ten countries for LEED-certified buildings are in the APAC region: India, China, Korea and Taiwan.

US: GLT Products has announced its expansion into the Gulf Coast Region with the addition of new production plants in La Porte, Texas. The new building and facilities will be under the GLT Fabricators name.

The new plant will enable GLT Fabricators to meet the North American demand for ASTM standard industrial insulation solutions and products. Additionally, the company will offer a number of V-Groove pipe insulation choices, which is new to the GLT Products Company. GLT Fabricators will also offer other fabricated pipe insulation products, including:Pipe covering - 90º elbows, 45º elbows, tees and curved segments; Cellular glass; Extruded polystyrene; Mineral wool; Polyisocyanurate; Phenolic. 

"We needed new production facilities closer to our customers and end users. The inherent advantages of being able to meet tight delivery deadlines will help reduce our fabrication cost and lead-times. We needed a plan for 2015 and beyond to address the growth forecast we are predicting," said Timothy F Scott, president of GLT Fabricators.

Poland: Petralana has completed the construction of a mineral wool plant in Bytom. The plant will employ almost 200 people and produce 41,000t/yr of mineral wool.

US: USI, a national construction services provider of installed insulation and related services to builders, contractors and homeowners, has announced the acquisition of Smith Insulation, a Louisburg, North Carolina-based full-line insulation services contractor.

Founded in 1979 by Timothy Smith, family-run Smith Insulation has shown steady growth. The company employs approximately 35 personnel and serves the Raleigh, Durham and Roanoke Rapids markets. After closing, Smith will become branch manager and Duane Smith will maintain his current role as production manager.

In addition to the North Carolina markets served by Smith Insulation, USI has an existing branch serving western North Carolina and parts of Virginia. "We are excited how this acquisition further increases our presence in North Carolina," said Bill Varner, president and CEO of USI. "Bringing Smith's expertise, valued people and assets to USI is a significant opportunity for us. We expect a smooth transition and enhanced value for both our current and future customers."

"Joining forces with USI provides us with a whole new level of resources. USI shares our values of teamwork, trust and integrity that are so crucial in a relationship-driven industry. Our combined best practices and focus on service leaves me very optimistic about the future," said Timothy Smith.

US: For the sixth year in a row, Owens Corning has earned placement in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) in recognition of its sustainability initiatives.
For the third straight year, Owens Corning was named the Industry Leader for the DJSI World Building Products group. The DJSI World is a listing of the world's largest companies based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria.

"We are honoured to have earned placement again in 2015," said chairman and CEO Mike Thaman. "Our people and products make the world a better place. That simple and powerful purpose defines Owens Corning today, as well as the company we are building for the future."

"Continuing our steady progress toward shrinking our environmental footprint, we are even more energised as we expand our impact through our positive handprint," said chief sustainability officer Frank O'Brien-Bernini. "Collaborating up and down the value chain, we make buildings more energy-efficient, roofs more durable and resistant to extreme weather, cars more fuel-efficient, renewable energy more cost-effective and our company a better corporate citizen."