Knauf Insulation started the production of mineral wool with ECOSE® technology in Romania

By RBJ
Knauf Insulation, one of the biggest players on the market of insulating materials, part of the Knauf Group, started the production of mineral wool at the factory in Târnăveni, Mureș County, after the completion of the re-engineering and modernization of the existing production line.
According to company representatives, the investment allocated by Knauf Insulation for the first stages of the process of modernization and re-engineering of the existing production line that already produces mineral wool with ECOSE® technology will amount to approximately 4 million euros. Knauf Insulation’s objective is to have one of the most efficient production lines in Europe.
After purchasing the factory in Târnăveni, Knauf Insulation started the process of evaluating the space and production capacity. In order to improve the operations of the factory, throughout the summer, demolition and modernization of the interior and exterior space were carried out. At the same time, actions were taken to rehabilitate and restore the infrastructure of the factory in Târnăveni, namely installations, cables, redirection of pipes or sewage, with the aim of optimizing manufacturing processes.
In parallel, starting in June, Knauf Insulation initiated the process of upgrading the existing production line, by aligning the manufacturing processes with the quality standards of the group, a fact that currently allows the production of mineral wool with the innovative ECOSE® technology.
Throughout the works, the company took all the necessary security measures required for the safety of the teams that took part in this process. Also, for the modernization works of the site, the company collaborated with subcontracted suppliers at local and national level, a fact that also has an impact on the local economy.
“With the purchase of the factory in Târnăveni, we focused all our efforts on modernizing and transforming the space into one that integrates harmoniously into the dynamics of the local community, respects the surrounding environment and complements the specifics of the place. We will take care to follow the commitment of Knauf Insulation for a more sustainable future in Tarnăveni, which is reflected in over a decade of involvement around three essential pillars: zero damage to the environment, by reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, recycling production waste, incorporating the principles of the circular economy, respectively products and solutions dedicated to the construction of better and more sustainable buildings”, says Adrian Garofeanu, General Director of Knauf Insulation Romania and Bulgaria.
According to the company’s data, the Knauf Insulation factory in Târnăveni currently has an annual production capacity of over 6000 tons. In September, a second stage of upgrading the current line takes place, which will allow the production capacity to increase to over 8,000 tons.
Once the entire investment plan is implemented, the Knauf Insulation factory in Târnăveni will ensure an annual production capacity of around 60,000 tons of mineral wool, with the aim of serving both domestic needs and the markets of Central and Eastern Europe.
At the moment, more than 50 employees are working at the factory in Târnăveni, who benefit from working conditions, training and benefit packages to Knauf Insulation standards. Of the total number of employees, 45 come from the former Gecsat factory, and the rest were hired after the factory was taken over by Knauf Insulation. The company is also in a continuous recruitment process, depending on the specific needs of each department. Knauf Insulation Romania currently has a total of 67 employees.
“For the current year, we have ongoing recruitment processes for at least 10 positions within the Târnăveni team, and as we start the new construction, we will communicate through the media, as well as through announcements on local radio stations, the available positions ”, declares Adrian Garofeanu, General Manager of Knauf Insulation Romania and Bulgaria.
With over 40 years of experience in the insulation industry, the company currently has nearly 6,000 employees in 40 countries and 30 production facilities in 16 countries.
Knauf Insulation is part of the Knauf Group which has approximately 40,000 employees in 90 countries, and 300 factories worldwide with sales of 12.5 billion euros in 2021.
Present in Romania since 2008, Knauf Insulation is one of the most important players on the insulating materials market, with a complete product portfolio that includes glass mineral wool, basalt mineral wool and wood fiber boards (Heraklith).