Netherlands: Belgium-based Triple Helix has signed an agreement as one of the first concessionaires at the NextGen District at the Port of Antwerp. It plans to build a plant to convert polyurethane foam, from insulation panels and other sources, into polyols. These chemicals can then be reused, for example in the production of new polyurethane products. The plant is intended to be fully circular and self-sufficient in terms of energy.

Steven Peleman, the chief executive officer of Triple Helix, said “To drastically reduce emissions and waste pollution, we want to show the principle of material reincarnation to the world. In our plant at NextGen District, we want to recover polyurethane foams at the end of their life and transform them into their main components to be used again in new products. This is innovative and challenging, but with Port of Antwerp, BlueChem and our industrial and knowledge partners, we are ready to fight this battle. Not words but deeds!”

The Port of Antwerp has set aside the former 88 hectare General Motors site to develop into a future circular economy hotspot. Rubber and plastics recycling company US-based Bolder Industries has also signed up for an early place at the port.

Romania: Belgium-based Knauf Insulation has agreed to acquire the Târnăveni glass wool plant from Gecsat for an undisclosed sum.

Dominique Bossan, the group chief executive officer of Knauf Insulation, said “The Romanian acquisition will support Knauf Insulation’s growth ambitions and add extra capacity to meet increasing demand for our solutions across the Eastern European and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) regions.” He added that the company plans to upgrade the plant after the acquisition has been completed.

UK: Kingspan has recalled all uninstalled Kooltherm K15 phenolic insulation from UK customers pursuant to an order by the government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards. The company estimates the value of the affected stock to be Euro180,000. InsideHousing News has reported that the company hopes to resume its sale of Kooltherm K15 insulation following its suspension on 23 December 2021.

Kingspan says that recent tests have shown that Kooltherm K15 insulation is eligible for a C rating under European safety standards, which would enable it to be fitted in buildings of above 18m in heigth.

Slovakia: Knauf Insulation’s plant at Nová Bana produced 104,000t of mineral wool in 2021. Plant director Marián Tkáč told the News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR) that the unit reached this record volume despite Covid-19 restrictions, rising input costs and maintenance on the production lines. The plant also installed a flue-gas desulfurisation unit as part of an environmental upgrade in 2021. Despite the high production volume in 2021, Tkáč said that demand for insulation remained high and delivery times were growing.