New Knauf insulation factory in Lannemezan

KNAUF INSULATION starts production of glass mineral wool for construction at its new site in Lannemezan

The opening of the new Knauf Insulation factory in May 2010 in Lannemezan (65) represents the brand's new standard in insulation manufacturing. The new, ultra-modern factory will meet the growing demand for the new generation of mineral wools designed with the ECOSE® Technology process developed by Knauf Insulation. The Lannemezan production site thus becomes one of the largest glass mineral wool production lines in Europe and the most "sustainable" of all Knauf Insulation factories, in terms of development.

Built on an industrial area of 213 m², the production buildings represent 000 m² and the area reserved for the storage of finished products covers 29 m². The factory management and administrative services occupy an area of 000 m² of office space.



Environmental awareness

The Lannemezan site is specifically dedicated to the manufacture of the new range of mineral wools developed with ECOSE® Technology and manufactured from naturally renewable and/or recycled raw materials, using a plant-based binder, containing no formaldehyde or phenol.

or acrylic and without the addition of artificial colors or pigments.

Since the start of the manufacture of insulation incorporating the new process at the Visé (Belgium) plant in July 2009, Philippe Nguyen, director of the Lannemezan site, specifies that this is the first Knauf Insulation plant to start production with this new technology on French territory. With an investment of more than 130 million euros, Knauf Insulation has built its new production site in accordance with sustainable development criteria.



To this end, the 72-meter-long and 14-meter-wide melting furnace uses oxy-gas technology combined with electrical energy. Part of the site's roof is equipped with an 8 m² array of photovoltaic membranes that produces 760 MWh/year of electrical energy (for example, this power is equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 420 individual homes heated by electricity). The plant is also equipped with double air filtration and a closed-circuit water system.

In addition, Knauf Insulation has increased the amount of recycled materials in its production process.



To ensure the site's seamless integration into its surroundings, the plant's aesthetic appeal was carefully considered. Every effort was made to minimize visual impact. The plant incorporates green spaces and more than 300 varieties of trees.

High social and economic value

The plant's location at the foot of the Pyrenees will significantly reduce transportation costs, thereby reducing their environmental impact. This geographical location will also ensure better quality service for customers.

The new Knauf Insulation site is part of the reindustrialization process of the Lannemezan plateau and the economic development strategy of the Midi-Pyrénées region.

The industrial site covers 20 hectares, with the possibility of a further 10 hectares of expansion if Knauf Insulation wishes to expand.

The plant, which employs more than 135 people, is expected to achieve an initial production of 70 tonnes per year, then 000 tonnes by 90. It will gradually deliver its products to the French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese markets. It will generate beneficial indirect jobs.

to the entire area on a social and economic level. This, combined with the recruitment generated by the construction of the Lannemezan plant, has brought new life to the region. Furthermore, Knauf Insulation has received a particularly warm welcome from the local authorities.



A new standard

The Lannemezan plant is one of the most innovative in reducing environmental impacts. It was built to produce glass mineral wool using the revolutionary new plant-based binder, ECOSE® Technology.

More pleasant to install, softer to the touch, odorless and generating less dust, the new range of mineral wools developed with ECOSE® Technology marks a significant milestone in Knauf Insulation's sustainable development industrial policy.

Glass mineral wool with ECOSE® Technology, produced in Lannemezan, saves more than 200 times the energy used in its production. In fact, the ECOSE® Technology process requires only 1/7th of the energy required to produce bricks for the insulation of a wall with a value of

R = 3.



This is the new economic standard in the production of insulation, brought by Knauf Insulation, whose objective is, in the long term, to become the world leader in energy efficiency systems for buildings.

This new direction and strong commitment are already bearing fruit, as the company faces an ever-increasing demand for insulation products that meet new environmental standards.