Knauf Insulation’s recent multimillion-pound investment at its rock
mineral wool production facility in Queensferry, North Wales, has
strengthened its market leading range of HVAC insulation products.
The range offers HVAC designers an impressive choice of pipe, slab
and roll, mattress and lining products under the company’s well
known, high-performance Crown® Glass Mineral Wool and Rocksilk®
Rock Mineral Wool brands.
Knauf Insulation is one of the HVAC industry’s most experienced
suppliers and has been manufacturing HVAC insulation products since
the mid-1960s. Today, the company offers the widest choice of HVAC
insulation products in the UK and supports the range with a strong
package that includes a dedicated Non-residential Sales Team and
expert advice from its Technical Advisory Centre.
“We firmly believe the HVAC industry deserves a complete service
offering and we’re in a unique position to provide it,” said Debra
Green, Knauf Insulation’s HVAC Market Manager. “As the only
manufacturer of both glass and rock mineral wool insulation
products, we offer designers impartial advice and the opportunity
to benefit from their different qualities and characteristics. Our
continual investment in product development and customer support
speaks volumes for our commitment to the industry – we’ve got it
all wrapped up!“
Glass and rock mineral wool have excellent thermal, acoustic and
fire-insulation properties. Of the two, glass mineral wool is
accepted as the material-of-choice for HVAC insulation generally,
whereas rock mineral wool is preferred for applications involving
tougher operating conditions.
Rock mineral wool is available in higher densities than glass and
can therefore offer higher compressive strength – it’s ideal for
over cladding ductwork, for example – and has better fire
resistance properties when these are needed.
Both glass and rock mineral wool products offer definite benefits
over phenolic foam products and the arguments for their use are
compelling. Neither react with copper or steel in the same way that
phenolic products can if the protective coating applied to the bore
is either damaged or breaks down. Jointing and detailing operations
are easier and more thermally effective as the wool ‘knits’
together or can be ‘scrunched-up’. Mineral wool insulation is also
more durable and better able to withstand damage and, with no loss
of thermal performance caused by the gradual loss of the phenolic
foam’s gas, has a greater life expectancy.
The investment at Knauf Insulation’s Queensferry plant in North
Wales was a major one. Apart from increasing capacity to 33,000
tonnes per year, all parts of the production line were either
replaced or upgraded. New, state-of-the-art fiberisation equipment
has lead to very high quality fibres being produced and this has
resulted in a material that is more consistent in both density and
performance. To mark the changes, Knauf Insulation has rebranded
the range from Rocksil®, to Rocksilk®, Rock Mineral Wool. What a
difference a ‘k’ makes!
A free, 40-page design manual – Heating, Ventilating and Air
Conditioning Solutions – makes essential reading for designers,
engineers and contractors within the HVAC industry. Produced in
collaboration with practising HVAC engineers, the heavily
illustrated manual covers everything from design considerations
through to product performance and selection, and gives
specification, construction and installation advice.
For further information, or to obtain a copy of the manual, please
visit Knauf Insulation’s website at www.knaufinsulation.co.uk or
call the enquiries hotline on 08700 668 660 quoting SHR 312
05.
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® Registered Trademark of Knauf Insulation
© Knauf Insulation, 2005