Ukraine: City authorities in Dnipro, Eastern Ukraine, have installed insulation in six blocks of flats under the national Energodim renovations programme. Business World Magazine News has reported that work is also underway at seven further blocks of flats. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development supplied loans for the renovations.

Dnipro lies 130km inside Ukraine’s front line against the on-going Russian invasion of the country.

World: AZOBuild has reported findings that the global aerogel insulation market will grow at an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% up to 2030. This would more than quadruple its total value, to US$3.8bn.

Germany: Karl Bachl Kunststoffverarbeitung, a long-time distributor of Styrodur extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation, has entered into an agreement to acquire the producer from chemicals company BASF. Plastverarbeiter News has reported that Styrodur’s 50 employees will stay on at BASF. The deal is scheduled for completion by 30 June 2025.

Israel: Chemicals company ICL has launched VeriQuel R100, a reactive phosphorous flame retardant for rigid polyurethane (PU) insulation. VeriQuel R100 chemically bonds with the polymer matrix in PU insulation. ICL invested US$2m in the development of VeriQuel R100. Four US-based roofing producers also launched products featuring VeriQuel R100, with six more reportedly ‘in development’ in the US and Europe.