US: The National Insulation Association (NIA) has announced its new appointments to its executive committee and board of directors for 2024. Johns Manville’s senior industrial product manager Jack Bittner takes over as NIA president, with Performance Contracting’s senior vice president operations Rick Sutphin serving as president elect. Thermal Solutions’ president John Stevens will be NIA secretary and treasurer, and Systems Undercover’s operations manager Lee Stuckenschmidt will be assistant treasurer.

Representing different regions of the US on the board, Brian Willett of Gribbins Insulation Company will serve the Central States Association, Rick Baptista of Irex Contracting Group will serve the Eastern States Insulation Contractors Association, Matt Hymer of Midwest Materials will serve the Midwest Insulation Contractors Association, Matt Caldwell of Caldwell Insulation will serve the Southeastern Insulation Contractors Association, David Patrick of Specialty Products & Insulation will serve the Southwest Insulation Contractors Association and Shawn Reichenbach of Performance Contracting will serve the Western Insulation Contractors Association.

Germany/Ukraine: The Würzburg Prosecutor's Office has opened a preliminary investigation into Knauf over its alleged involvement in the on-going reconstruction of Russian-occupied Mariupol. The investigation will seek to establish whether an ‘initial suspicion’ of criminal activity exists. Germany-based media outlet ARD published its allegation of Knauf’s involvement in the reconstruction via the use of its materials earlier in April 2024.

The producer denied the allegations, adding that it complies with relevant laws and sanctions.

Russia: Knauf is seeking to transfer its ‘entire business in Russia’ to its local management, pending the approval of Russian authorities. The Kyiv Independent newspaper has reported that Knauf elected for the transfer in order to protect the jobs of 4000 employees in the country.

Ireland: Kingspan's sales were ‘close to €2bn’ in the first quarter of 2024, following a 1% year-on-year decline. The producer noted ‘positive’ volumes and ‘stable’ pricing, continuing trends from 2023. Raw material costs dropped, however Kingspan anticipates a new rise in its operating costs in the medium-term future.

Dow Jones Institutional Newswires has reported that Kingspan expects to record a first-half 2024 profit ‘roughly in line’ with the first-half 2023 figure of €436m.