US: Owens Corning commenced construction of its planned US$60m Russellville extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation plant in Arkansas. When commissioned in 2025, the plant will employ 50 people and produce Owens Corning’s Foamular NGX XPS insulation. Local press has reported that the move represents the company’s third expansion in Arkansas since the start of 2022. It has been present in the state since 1985.

Owens Corning vice president and general manager, foam insulation, Rodney Wideman said "This new plant and today's groundbreaking ceremony represents commitment to our customers' growth and the Russellville community.”

India: France-based Saint-Gobain has acquired waterproofing systems producer Menkol Industries. Menkol Industries operates a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) products plant in the Kinfra Industrial And Textile Park in Kanjikkode, Kerala.

UK: France-based waterproofing and insulation group Soprema has agreed to acquire a 75% stake in Celotex. Dow Jones Institutional News has reported that Celotex is presently a subsidiary of Soprema’s fellow France-based conglomerate Saint-Gobain. After completion of the deal in early 2024, Saint-Gobain says that it will retain a 25% stake in Celotex.

Celotex controls the Ipswich polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation plant in Suffolk.

Sweden: Saint-Gobain Ecophon has entered into a deal to acquire wood wool products company Träullit. Saint-Gobain Ecophon said that the acquisition will complete its existing portfolio of wall and ceiling products.

Saint-Gobain Ecophon CEO Pierre-Emmanuel Thiard said “Träullit has a Swedish legacy to be proud of, and we are happy to start a new journey together to develop this offer. The integration with Ecophon will broaden Träullit’s current sales focus from Scandinavia into further European markets and accelerate growth thanks to Ecophon’s complete solution portfolio and experienced research and development division.”