Spain: Spanish construction group Uralita has taken a Euro320m seven-year loan to expand its European insulation business. The group formalised the agreement with KKR Asset Management to gain financial stability and expand the business. The agreement will allow the development of the pan-European insulation business of its branch company URSA Insulation.

"Uralita considers that this transaction provides the group with long-term financial stability, shows the Company's growth potential and will facilitate continued growth in the next years," commented Javier Serratosa, Uralita's president.

US: A proposed Californian state legal bill threatens to phase out potentially toxic flame-retardants in foam insulation. The chemical industry has opposed the bill arguing that the move jeopardises energy-efficiency measures and doesn't take into account forthcoming legislation.

The sponsor of the bill, the US Green Building Council of California, said in a supporting letter that the bill is necessary because the adverse effects on health by halogenated organic compounds in flame-retardants are well documented.

However, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) has stated that the bill will unnecessarily circumvent the Department of Toxic Substances Control's forthcoming green chemistry regulations, which will identify potentially problematic chemicals in consumer products. The ACC added that, "Since buildings account for an estimated 36% of total energy use and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, California should be encouraging, not discouraging, the use of energy-saving building materials."

The bill is scheduled to be heard by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on 29 April 2013.

US: Owens Corning has reported consolidated net sales of US$1.3bn in the first quarter of 2013, little change from the same period of 2012. However, the company reported net earnings of US$22m in the first quarter of 2013, compared to a net loss of US$46m in 2012.

"Insulation demonstrated strong price execution and is on track for full-year profitability and double-digit revenue growth in 2013," said chairman and chief executive Officer Mike Thaman. He added that the company remains reliant on

the pace of the US housing recovery and its impact on the margin performance of the Building Materials businesses for future performance.

For its outlook Owens Corning expects at least US$100m in adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) improvement over 2012 as a result of company actions, an improving US housing market and moderate global growth. It said that the insulation sector will continue to benefit from the growth in US residential new construction, higher asset utilisation rates and better pricing.

US: Johns Manville (JM), the global manufacturer of energy-efficient building products, has announced the publication of its 2012 Sustainability Report, 'We Build Environments.'

"We intend to capitalise on our commitment to sustainability to ensure that we are better prepared to meet both the opportunities and challenges of our dynamic world and that we continue to deliver safe products that delight our customers," said Mary Rhinehart, JM president and CEO. The 2012 report includes 18 fully reported performance indicators applying the Global Reporting Initiative 3.1 guidelines.

Key indicators from JM's 2012 performance summary for the insulation market include a 19% increase of average fibreglass insulation compared to 2011. Total energy use for the company rose by 0.9% and total production fell by 0.4%.