NEW FLAGSHIP SHOPPING MALL
A new 32,000 m2 flagship shopping mall has opened in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. More than 12,000 m2 of our flat roof insulation was installed in the ALEJA mall — which also includes a social and sports centre — and 20,000 m2 of ceiling insulation in the parking areas. In addition, Knauf Insulation provided all the solutions for the centre’s partition walls. The complex project involved support over two years from all our departments including sales, technical team, logistics and customer service.
ILLANGE’S FIRST BIRTHDAY
Our team in Illange, France, were delighted to welcome members of the Knauf family to the plant in October, 2020. A total of 120 new jobs were created when the €110 million site opened for business in September 2019. Illange has the capacity to produce more than 100,000 tonnes of our Rock Mineral Wool solutions every year — enough insulation to renovate 25,000 homes.
FOUR DECADES OF SUCCESS
Our Novi Marof plant in Croatia is celebrating 40 years of success. The plant started with a modest production of 17,000 tonnes and has now grown into a large-scale operation producing technical insulation for countries throughout the European Union and beyond. The plant is now one of the biggest exporters in Croatia. Novi Marof also enjoys the distinction of being the first Knauf Insulation Rock Mineral Wool plant to use ECOSE Technology® for the majority of its Rock Mineral Wool solutions.
WOMEN’S FORUM
Knauf Insulation took part in the Women Economic Forum in Slovenia in February 2020. The event brought together women from around the world to expand their business opportunities, network and be inspired. This year’s forum attracted more than 200 participants from 30 countries including our Group Marketing Director Knauf Insulation Systems Division & Group Marketing Director Saša Bavec who spoke about, ‘When we follow our unique creative flow, we have no competition’. Knauf Insulation received a special award as a supporter of the event.
AIRPORT’S ACOUSTIC PRIORITY
Knauf Insulation Acoustic Partition and Earthwool Wall Batt have been installed in Adelaide Airport Terminal in Australia. The products met requirements to be noncombustible and deliver great acoustic performance. Acoustic Partition can improve Rw ratings by up to 10 decibels.
GREEN ROOF FOR YOUTH BUS
An old bus has been refurbished and converted into a mobile youth centre in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. The bus will provide the focus for cultural projects and mentoring initiatives and tour neighbourhoods around the city. Adding an inspirational green touch to the vehicle is a roof created from our Urbanscape® Green Roof solution.
The solution has been co-created with entrepreneur Marc Granen using his patented PhytoKinetic concept. With Urbanscape® lightweight growing media and Marc’s creative design expertise, it is now easier than ever to create and fit out vegetated vehicles.
PRODUCTION LANDMARK FOR KRUPKA
Our Krupka Glass Mineral Wool plant in the Czech Republic achieved a major milestone in June 2020 — 600,000 tonnes of plant output since start-up in May 2006. The site produces insulation in two brands for more than 20 countries.
Škofja Loka Masterplan
Our colleagues at Škofja Loka have drawn up an ambitious sustainable ‘masterplan’ for the site which is defined by economic, environmental and social criteria. Danilo Kolenc, Director of Škofja Loka, said: “The Masterplan has become our compass and articulates our vision of development and it is crucial for communication with all our external and internal partners and collaborators.” The strategy focuses on future plans such as technological modernisation, raw material optimisation, wide-spread automation, robotisation, new traffic systems, storage systems and creating a green band between the nearby village and the factory.
CHARITY SUPPORT IN AUSTRALIA
Our Australian cycling colleagues completed the 50 km Tour de Brisbane to raise money for the Steve Waugh Foundation which supports young people living with rare diseases. In November or ‘Movember’ the ‘Mo Bros’ of our Australia team grew sponsored moustaches to raise funds for cancer and mental health charities.
MILLION-TONNE ACHIEVEMENT
Our St Egidien plant marked the production of one million tonnes of Rock Mineral Wool in May 2020. The landmark tonnage was created on Line 2 which started operations in October 2009. This achievement is a tribute to exceptional teamwork and extraordinary flexibility to meet customer needs.
Industry double
Knauf Insulation swept the board at 2020’s Builders Merchants Journal (BMJ) Industry Awards in the UK, winning both Best Insulation Manufacturer and Best Heavyside Manufacturer – the latter for the second year in a row. Commercial Director Steve Duke said: “We’ll continue to adapt so we can deliver exceptional service and be the best possible partner for our customers. Thank you to everybody who voted, and a special mention to all our staff for their hard work and commitment.”
NEW FIRE SAFETY COMMUNITY
A new digital community is bringing together fire experts and policy makers to share expertise and insight while working to improve building fire safety in Europe. The aim of the European Fire Safety Community is to develop ideas and deliver projects that can provide the foundations of policies that ensure Europe’s buildings are fire safe. The community was created as an extension of Fire Safe Europe, a campaigning organisation supported by Knauf Insulation.
FIRST PASSIVHAUS APARTMENT BLOCK
Knauf Insulation solutions have been installed in Australia’s first Passive House (Passivhaus) certified apartment building. The block built in Sydney is comprised of 11 one-bedroom serviced apartments and was designed by architect Olivier Steele who said: “Passivhaus creates healthy living spaces that stay cool in summer and warm in winter with ultra-low energy use. With a super-insulated envelope and heat recovery ventilation... you have comfortable temperatures year round.”
Photo Credit: Steele Associates
Read our Annual Review 2020!