Ingeous
rocks sustainable building materials 
Rockwool invests €100M to double UK capacity
Today the €1.5 billion turnover Rockwool
Group underlined its belief in the buoyant future of the UK’s
sustainable building market by announcing a €100 million
investment to double UK manufacturing capacity from its
Bridgend, South Wales plant by the end of 2008.
New UK Managing Director Hans Schreuder said:” Rockwool has seen
a phenomenal increase in demand for its products and services.
In a climate where other manufacturers struggle to meet growing
legislative pressures for greater transparency over the fire and
thermal performance of insulation, Rockwool products provide a
complete solution which leaves the rest of the market behind.”
Buildings currently account for 44% of carbon emissions in the
UK. Rockwool Ltd is well placed through its sustainable products
and manufacturing processes to help meet the Government’s 2010
targets. If all existing building stock were to be upgraded to
meet current building regulations, the UK would exceed its CO2.
targets.
Rockwool insulation has the highest CEN Fire Certification A1
rating, meaning it is non-combustible. The wide ranging October
2006 Regulatory Reform Order, and April 2007 Building
Regulations Part B changes, have placed increasing pressure on
specifiers and installers of fire protection measures, as well
as building developers and owners. All these stakeholders have a
legal responsibility for including approved fire protection
products in building design and ensuring high degrees of
protection for building users and fire service personnel.
Rockwool is manufactured using igneous volcanic rock, an
abundantly available resource which in its lifetime can save
100s of times the greenhouse gases generated during its
production. Sustainable manufacturing ensures that 50% of
Rockwool by weight is made from recycled or reused materials.
The Rockwool Group chose the Bridgend plant over plants
elsewhere in Europe due to its enviable record for quality,
efficiency and versatility. The expansion includes the
introduction of one of the world’s most technically-advanced
production lines, enabling the development of higher-quality,
lower-density products for the UK, Irish and European markets.
The investment incorporates new warehousing, technical support
and distribution facilities to support the increased capacity
and ensure a responsive and flexible service, industry-wide. To
meet the needs of distributors and merchants, the investment
includes significant advances in palletisation. Site
construction is expected to start soon and is expected to be
operational before the end of 2008.
The Rockwool Group has seen a huge expansion in its
manufacturing operations worldwide to keep pace with demand. In
parallel to the UK expansion, new facilities have been built in
Croatia and Russia along with planned further expansion in North
America and Poland.
Quoted on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, the Rockwool Group saw
a huge growth in pre-tax profits from € 32 million in 2002 to
€187 million in 2006, boosted by a 15% increase in sales
reaching € 1,546 million in 2006.
Rockwool worked closely with the Welsh Assembly to secure the
investment for Wales and the Welsh Assembly is to contribute a
£5 million regional assistant grant to the project. The
investment is expected to have a significant economic impact in
South Wales and secure up to 1,500 jobs through direct and
indirect employment in the region.
Email:
sharon.lindsay@iassmarts.com