ROCKWOOL TECHNICAL INSULATION ENDORSES EIIF STUDY AND WELCOMES NEW EU ENERGY EFFICIENCY DIRECTIVE

Industrial insulation specialist highlights potential to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions through effective insulation of technical installations

Rockwool Technical Insulation (RTI), a major world player in the design and application of insulation for technical installations for process industries and marine & offshore, has welcomed a report recently published by the European Industrial Insulation Foundation (EiiF) (www.eiif.org).

The report “Climate protection with rapid payback” that was published beginning of July, is based on a study by Ecofys (www.ecofys.com), a consultancy agency and a leading expert in sustainable energy solutions and climate change issues. The Ecofys study identifies the large energy and CO2 savings potential of industrial insulation. In addition it demonstrates that this potential is currently untapped despite being cost-effective to implement. In fact, European industry is losing energy and money every day, emitting tonnes of avoidable CO2 emissions.

According to the study 10% or more of all equipment in industrial plants is currently not insulated or is covered with damaged insulation. Furthermore, the level of insulation applied is typically based on a minimum investment decision. A more effective use of insulation technology, would allow European industry to lower aggregate fuel consumption by 620 petajoules (PJ) and CO2 emissions by some 49 megatons (Mt). The annual savings potential of 620 PJ is equivalent to the annual energy requirements of 10 million homes. The annual CO2 reduction potential of 49 Mt equals the CO2 emissions of 18 million cars.

EiiF Foundation Director Andreas Gürtler said: “As the cost of energy is higher than ever and expected to go up even further, the potential benefits of cost-effective insulation continue to increase.”

Commenting on the report, RTI’s Managing Director Rafael Rodriguez said: “Insulation of technical installations in industries – such as hot pipes, columns, boilers and tanks – can save literally millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), helping to protect the environment, whilst at the same time saving operators millions of euros.” He added: “Rockwool Technical Insulation has a long track record in delivering industrial insulation benefits. The insulation for technical installations we have installed around the world this year alone will save millions of tonnes of CO2 in its lifetime. Investing in insulation can be extremely profitable, as investments will usually be paid back in less than one year, so this is a great business opportunity.”

Earlier this year, the Rockwool Group welcomed the agreement on the new EU Energy Efficiency Directive, which will help make millions of European buildings and industrial processes more energy efficient. The EU Directive on Energy Efficiency aims at reducing the EU’s energy consumption by 20% by 2020. With current progress EU will achieve only half of these savings, so any contribution to reduce EU’s energy consumption is therefore needed more than ever.

According to Mr. Eelco van Heel, CEO & Group President of Rockwool International, this is much needed legislation to help improve the quality of life in Europe, also with a view beyond 2020: “The Energy Efficiency Directive sets out an important framework to steer the future development in the EU in a more sustainable direction. Increased focus on energy efficiency is a key tool to solve a number of the challenges we are currently facing in the EU. It will help strengthen Europe’s economy and job creation, make us less dependent on energy imports, reduce the social imbalance by reducing fuel poverty, and it will improve the indoor climate and health of citizens.”

Reader enquiries