Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

UK: Superglass has secured Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) verification for its Superwall Cavity Batts range of insulation. Specification Online News has reported that the range is among the first in the insulation segment to receive this. The producer will seek verification for further products later in February 2025.

CCPI verification ensures the veracity and comprehensiveness of product information claims. It launched following the deathly Grenfell Tower disaster on 14 June 2017, where labelling was found to ‘deliberately misrepresent’ insulation’s fire safety performance.

Indonesia: A new tariff on imports of mineral wool will enter effect in Indonesia later in February 2025. China Trade Remedy Information News has reported that that the government will set the duty at US$1.24/kg of product for its first year in force. It will subsequently decline to US$1.12/kg in 2026 and US$1/kg in 2027.

The Indonesian Committee on Safeguards first initiated a safeguard investigation into mineral wool dumping in July 2023 and announced its positive ruling on the matter on 16 September 2024.

Spain: Saint-Gobain has launched a €40m expansion and upgrade to reduce CO₂ emissions by 70% at its Azuqueca insulation plant in Castilla-La Mancha. The producer will replace the plant’s existing furnace with a new electric one. When operational in early 2026, the upgraded line will expand the Azuqueca plant’s capacity by 40%. The furnace will run on renewable electricity sourced under a power purchase agreement signed with utilities provider Endesa in 2022.

Singapore: A team at Nanyang Technological University has developed new insulating tiles made of a wood-decaying fungus. Asia Research News has reported that the tiles have a hexagonal design and are textured to mimic elephant skin in order to maximise cooling. The wood component is bamboo microfibres, making the tiles entirely biodegradable. Singapore’s National Research Foundation and ETH Zurich funded the research.

Romania: Knauf Insulation România announced the start of operations at its new Târnăveni glasswool insulation plant in Mureș County on 22 January 2025. Transilvania Business News has reported that the plant will produce up to 75,000t/yr of insulation for local and export markets. Knauf Insulation România invested €140m in construction of the plant, which first commenced in March 2023. The producer acquired another, existing plant at the site in May 2022, investing €4m in its modernisation.

Knauf Europe, Middle East and Asia Regional CEO Dominique Bossan noted the growth of demand for insulation in South East Europe.