New Zealand: Germany-based building products and systems producer Sto has concluded a deal to acquire its New Zealand distribution partner Stoanz. Sto says that it expects to complete the acquisition on 1 April 2024.
Sto is the market leader in external wall insulation systems in New Zealand. Its other products and services include façade elements and concrete repairs.
US: Rockwool North America plans to build a new US$175m stone wool insulation plant at Wallula Gap, Washington. The Denmark-based producer has acquired 101 hectares of land at the Port of Walla Walla, local press has reported. The upcoming plant will produce insulation using Washington’s abundant igneous rock.
Rockwool North America already operates two other US plants, at Byhalia in Mississippi and Ranson in West Virginia, alongside a further two in Canada. It employs 1100 people, and this will rise by 11% to over 1200 people following the entry into operation of the Wallula Gap plant.
South Korea: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has suspended the Korea Foamed Plastic Industry Cooperative’s standard for expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulating sandwich panels. The standard had been certified by the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology. Maeil Business Newspaper has reported that the suspension is part of a regulatory revision in the interest of fire safety. The value of the South Korean EPS sandwich panel industry is US$1.37bn/yr.
The Korea Foamed Plastic Industry Cooperative said “With a severe shortage of certification agencies, it takes over a year to obtain certification. This is tantamount to telling small businesses to shut down.”
US: The National Insulation Association (NIA) and the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) have signed a Joint Standards Development Agreement. The agreement establishes a unified mechanical insulation standards programme.
NIA CEO Michele Jones said “This partnership represents a significant milestone for the NIA and the broader insulation industry. By aligning our efforts with AMPP, we’re not just setting new standards but driving standardisation and efficiency in insulation applications across various sectors. This collaboration is a step forward in our commitment to sustainability, decarbonisation, safety and enhancing the value insulation brings to the global market.”
