ECOSE technology implemented in quarter of capacities – Successful year behind Knauf Insulation, expansion of mineral wool production in Surdulica planned

The eKapija portal has opened a contest for the best investment in 2016 – Aurea 2017, and, in expectation of new winners, we've visited the companies shortlisted for last year's award in order to see how far they've come in their developing their business.

Last year's winner, Knauf Insulation, won the prestigious award thanks to its investments in the Surdulica factory, where it started the production of mineral wool using new technology based on renewable sources instead of oil-based chemicals, following the thorough preparations carried out in 2015. By implementing ECOSE Technology, the company turned to using natural materials without added formaldehyde and phenol exclusively, making for the first and only such product in the market of Serbia and the region.

The investment in implementing ECOSE technology in the Surdulica mineral wool factory amounted to EUR 800,000 and was preceded by numerous investments to the end of making the factory capable of accommodating the new technology. The production using the new technology started in the first days of 2016.

Tihomir Civkaroski, General Manager for Balkan countries, Cyprus and Malta at Knauf Insulation, says in his interview for our portal that the ECOSE technology products have been accepted and welcomed. For now, the new technology is used to produce mineral wool for insulating lofts, partition walls, ventilated facades and floors, with a tendency of having the entire portfolio being produced with the use of this technology in the period to come.

– ECOSE technology was introduced to our market in 2009, when it started being implemented in glass wool imported from our factories in Europe. The introduction of this technology in mineral wool was another step towards reaching top standards in the field of sustainability and environmental protection. Looking by square meters, ECOSE technology was used to produce more than a quarter of all our products – Civkaroski points out.

Knauf Insulation produces more than 40,000 tons of mineral wool a year in Surdulica, more than a half of which is exported to the surrounding markets: Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, Albania and Montenegro.

(Tihomir Civkaroski receiving investment of the year award Aurea 2016 from the hands of Kori Udovicki, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government of Serbia) As our interviewee points out, the Surdulica factory products are being sold constantly and the demand for mineral wool is always growing, making 2016 a very successful year for Knauf Insulation.

– The construction sector in Serbia started an upward trend several years ago and we were therefore a very successful company in our field in 2016. The realization of numerous projects, both residential blocks and commercial and industrial facilities, was either initiated or continued throughout the country.

In line with this, there's a need for expanding the production capacities.

– We are working intensively on a case study which would secure an investment for expanding the capacities for us, as there's an obvious need for it, especially in Serbia, where new regulations envision increased use of noncombustible materials, such as mineral wool, for fire protection – Civkaroski says and adds that small and large investments are realized in the Surdulica factory each year so as to raise product quality to the highest level.

– Our desire is to expand the factory's capacity in near future, which requires considerable funds, but, if we manage to realize this, it will lead to additional employments, both directly and through the network of subcontractors.

(Knauf Insulation Surdulica factory) The Surdulica factory was the first one within the Knauf Insulation Group to start producing mineral wool using the new technology, and other factories are joining it now. Factories in Croatia and England have transferred part of their industrial facility insulation program to ECOSE technology, and, as our interviewee says, it has turned out to be a good decision, and it can be expected for other factories in the group to switch to the new way of producing mineral wool.

Promotion of energy efficiency

By implementing ECOSE technology in mineral wool production, Knauf Insulation has contributed considerably to the promotion of energy efficiency in construction in Serbia. As a company which produces insulation materials, Knauf Insulation is making great effort towards raising awareness of rational energy consumption in the market, and this investment, Civkaroski reminds, is a result of systematic work in the past decade.

– It is the state, however, that needs to act as the biggest educator – our interviewee points out.

– Medium-term and long-term strategies for increasing energy efficiency in Serbia are expected by the relevant ministries, as are subsidies which will enable each citizen to increase both the comfort and the energy efficiency of their living and working space individually.

The production process in the Knauf Insulation factory in Surdulica has been carried out for more than 10 years, and the total value of investments in Serbia exceeds EUR 30 million.

I.B.

Knauf Insulation d.o.o. Beograd

Aurea

Aurea 2016

Aurea 2017

investment of the year award

mineral wool production

ECOSE Technology

insulation wool

insulation wool production

insulation material

insulation material production

loft insulation

partition wool insulation

ventilated facade insulation

energy efficiency

energy efficiency in construction

rational energy consumption

glass wool