Kingspan International To Expand In Virginia – Expand OPTIM-R® Vacuum Insulated Panels

Richmond, Virginia – Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced that Kingspan Insulation LLC, a division of the Kingspan Group, a global leader in advanced insulation and innovative building solutions, will invest $27 million in expanding its operation at 200 Kingspan Way in Frederick County. Kingspan Insulation LLC creates energy-saving and moisture-controlling products for the residential and commercial construction industries. To further expand its East Coast footprint and sustainability, the company will add a new manufacturing facility for high-demand, ultra-high energy efficient OPTIM-R® vacuum insulated panels.

Kingspan Facts

• The Winchester plant first opened in 1980
• The project will create 37 new jobs.
• 10-year global sustainability program:  Replacement of all removed trees; Translucent wall panels to incorporate natural lighting; PV Roofing toward the goal of net zero carbon emissions for all Winchester product facilities; and the use of recycled rainwater through a robust rainwater harvesting program.
• Kingspan headquartered in Atlanta, GA is part of an international conglomerate with billions in annual revenue and one of the largest building material suppliers in the world.
• Revenue up 42% to €6.5bn
• Acquisitions contributed 12% to sales growth and 11% to trading profit growth in the year.
• Total of €714m in acquisitions.
• Volume growth of 13% and 11% in Insulated Panels and Insulation.
• Insulation sales increase of 50%
• Insulated Panels sales increase of 45%

About OPTIM-R® Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIP)

OPTIM-R vacuum insulated panels (also known as VIPs) provide solutions to tight volume area design restrictions where performance must be met. Kingspan OPTIM–R is a next generation insulation that consists of rigid vacuum insulation panels (VIP) with a microporous core that is evacuated, encased, and sealed in a thin, gas–tight envelope to provide exceptional R–values and an ultra–thin insulation solution.

Kingspan OPTIM-R’s level of thermal efficiency, up to 5x better than other commonly available building insulation materials, with minimal thickness, can provide solutions for applications where construction space or depth is limited.

Thermal testing is unique for the emerging product. Thermal Resistance  testing through ASTM C1667 (Standard Test Method for Using Heat Flow Meter Apparatus to Measure the Center-of-Panel Thermal Transmission Properties of Vacuum Insulation Panels) is the only ASTM test method designated for testing the center panel thermal resistance of Vacuum Insulated Panels. Vacuum Insulated Panels, according to ASTM C1667, fall outside the scope of test method ASTM C518 so Kingspan developed the thermal resistance values listed on the Certified ASTM C1667 testing.

OPTIM-R Product Use Cases

OPTIM-R Roofing System

Kingspan Insulation’s OPTIM-R Roofing System is a high-performance next-generation insulation solution. It consists of rigid vacuum insulation panels with a microporous core that is evacuated, encased, and sealed in a thin, gas-tight envelope, providing outstanding thermal conductivity with the thinnest possible insulation solution. The vacuum insulation panels come with rigid thermoset polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation infill panels that can be cut to fit around problem areas like roof lights or ventilator kerbs.

In retrofit applications, the Kingspan OPTIM-R Roofing System provides solutions for areas that would have previously remained uninsulated due to a lack of available space. The Kingspan OPTIM-R Roofing System can significantly improve U-values in areas that would otherwise be accepted as detracting from overall thermal performance in new constructions.

OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System

Kingspan Insulation’s OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System is an optimum performance insulation providing outstanding thermal conductivity with the thinnest possible insulation solution. The vacuum insulation panels are complemented by high performance rigid insulation infill panels that can be cut to fit around problem areas like drainage gutters.

The Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System can be used in retrofit applications to avoid height differences between the building interior and the balcony or terrace. The Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System can significantly improve U-values in areas that would otherwise be accepted as detracting from overall thermal performance in new constructions.

About The Deal

The expanded facility will incorporate a number of sustainability aspects, including: the replacement of all removed trees; the use of translucent wall panels to incorporate natural lighting and allow for reduced energy usage; and the use of PV Roofing for the maximum use of renewable energy toward the goal of net zero caloric consumption.

“Kingspan Insulation has been a valued employer in Virginia for more than four decades, and we are proud to see the company reinvest in Frederick County,” – “This great project is a win-win, as Kingspan will increase production capacity to expand its East Coast presence while also creating 37 high-quality jobs, tapping into the region’s workforce.”

– Governor Youngkin

“The news that Kingspan Insulation is expanding in Frederick County is a positive development for Virginia’s economy,” – “Kingspan sources raw materials from around the world for its manufacturing operation, and The Port of Virginia is pleased to play an integral role in its logistics supply chain. We look forward to helping Kingspan Insulation leverage the efficiency of this world-class port to help the company grow and prosper for years to come.”

-Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority

To secure the project for Virginia, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership collaborated with Frederick County and The Port of Virginia. The Governor approved a $550,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Performance Grant, an incentive that encourages existing Virginia businesses to continue capital investment.