BASF has decided to shut down its expandable polystyrene (EPS) production facilities at the Ulsan Plastics site in South Korea, with operations expected to cease by mid‑June 2026. This move forms part of a wider strategic review aimed at optimising its global styrenics production network and strengthening competitiveness in response to changing market conditions. Bir Darbar Mehta, Senior Vice President of Petrochemicals Asia Pacific at BASF, stated that "the company is focuse

Belgian insulation leader Recticel Group has acquired 100% of Isopanel Group, a Belgian specialist in insulated panels for hygienic cold storage facilities and isothermal industrial buildings, marking another significant step in its ELEVATE 2030 growth strategy.

The European Commission’s new building energy performance rules, which came into effect on 30 May 2026, are expected to significantly strengthen the role of thermal insulation in Europe’s construction and renovation sectors.

Kingspan Insulation, a division of the global building materials leader Kingspan Group, has reinforced its commitment to Saudi Arabia through the operational launch of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Dammam.

Svenska Aerogel is launching Naerogel®, a new brand for its high‑performance aerogel material, marking its transition towards a stronger global commercial presence. Replacing Quartzene®, the new brand reflects over two decades of research, Nordic innovation, and ongoing improvements driven by customer collaboration. Naerogel® delivers enhanced benefits, including improved thermal insulation, sustainable production using silica, water and renewable energy, a flexible platform

ThermoSafe, a global leader in temperature-controlled packaging technologies, has made a substantial increase in its US based manufacturing capabilities for Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs), a critical component of high-performance cold chain packaging for the life sciences industry. The investment enhances ThermoSafe's capacity to provide pharmaceutical and biotech customers with enhanced operational control, faster response times, and greater supply assurance in response to t

PCL Construction has officially commenced construction of a new stone wool insulation manufacturing facility for Rockwool North America in Wallula, Washington, marking a significant investment in sustainable building materials and advanced manufacturing in the western United States.

ROCKWOOL has announced an agreement to acquire a stone wool insulation factory in Hungary from Ravago Building Solutions, strengthening its manufacturing presence in Central and Eastern Europe.

W.R. Meadows has announced the acquisition of Alcot Plastics Ltd., a Canada-based manufacturer of extruded polyethylene foam products, as part of its strategy to expand its construction materials portfolio and strengthen manufacturing capabilities across North America.

Armacell has become the first manufacturer worldwide to obtain EHP 002 certification for a flexible pre‑insulated pipe system, with its AustroFlex™ AustroPUR solution for district heating and cooling networks.

QXO, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TopBuild Corp. (“TopBuild”) for approximately $17 billion, significantly expanding QXO’s scale and capabilities across the building products value chain. The transaction is expected to be substantially accretive to the company’s earnings. TopBuild is the largest distributor and installer of insulation and related building products in North America. The combination will bring together QXO’s leading positions in roofing,

Thermore, launched Ecodown Fibers T2T, a free fibre insulation made from recycled polyester waste sourced from the textile supply chain. For more than 50 years, the Italy-based company has integrated environmental responsibility into its operations, focusing on recycled materials and solutions that enhance efficiency and durability.

Net-zero buildings are designed to use as little energy as possible, with well-insulated walls, roofs and windows that keep heat in during winter and out during summer. This reduces the need for heating and cooling systems. Any remaining energy needed is supplied by renewable sources. A zero-emission building emits no carbon from fossil fuels and has excellent energy efficiency. Reducing energy demand in buildings is so important in meeting carbon emissions and reducing relia

NUTEC Inc, a leading manufacturer of high-performance industrial insulation and fire protection products based in Huntersville, North Carolina, has completed the acquisition of ETS Schaefer LLC of Macedonia, Ohio, effective 1 March 2026, marking a strategic expansion in its thermal solutions business.

DuPont has entered into a strategic partnership with Hydroblok, an emerging innovator in lightweight, waterproof, insulated panel systems, to supply Styrofoam Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) for the HydroBlok One building panel, marking a significant advancement in construction technology across North America.

Austrotherm has commissioned a recycling plant for EPS and XPS insulation materials at its Purbach site. The facility is unique in Austria and marks a further step in strengthening the company’s circular economy strategy.

Qoraqalpoq Basaltwool has inaugurated a new stone wool insulation facility in Nukus, Uzbekistan, which consumes 50,000 tonnes of stone wool annually and incurs a cost of $52.4 million. The initiative is one of 437 construction sector projects that will have a collective value of over $3.6 billion, beginning in 2025 and continuing this year. The objective is to meet local demand by exporting approximately 25% of the produce, with an estimated annual export potential of US$25 m

President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the AZWOOL mineral rock wool plant, a major addition to Azerbaijan’s construction materials industry and the latest development from Matanat-A, a company operating since 2000 with diversified operations in dry construction mixtures, gypsum-based products, lime production and machine-building.

Statkraft, Norway’s leading renewable power producer, has entered into an eight-year power purchase agreement with building materials manufacturer Hunton Fiber to supply electricity for its wood fibre insulation facility in Gjovik.

SIBUR has introduced an innovative approach to manufacturing shell-type thermal insulation products using polyurethane foam technology.