As the EU seeks to balance its industrial competitiveness with sustainability goals, Owens Corning’s recent investment in its FOAMGLAS® insulation plant in Klášterec, Czech Republic shows that it’s not an ‘either/or’ choice. In less than a year, the investment is expected to increase production capacity by 50% while at the same time reducing the product’s carbon footprint.

FOAMGLAS® is a durable cellular glass insulation material for commercial and high-rise residential buildings that enhances energy efficiency for the whole lifetime of a building. Reducing the carbon footprint is factored into the product’s development from beginning to end.

Since 1995, FOAMGLAS® has been made by melting glass with electricity, and starting in 2007, 100% of that electricity has been renewable. Furthermore, the average recycled content for FOAMGLAS® products is 50%, with the weighted average based on the total mass of FOAMGLAS® products produced in Europe, calculated according to the ISO 22095 rolling average percentage method.

Owens Corning is in the process of developing take-back solutions to bring it closer to its 2030 zero-waste goal for its plants. In addition, FOAMGLAS® has developed an alternative packaging method for its T3+ slabs, reducing the single-use plastic packaging material and consequently decreasing waste on the jobsite when requested by customers.

Starting in the second quarter of 2026, upgrades at the Klášterec plant will make the plant’s FOAMGLAS® manufacturing process even more energy efficient. This will enable an increase in the use of renewable energy. At the same time, this investment will reinforce Owens Corning’s focus on Europe as a key region for building products.

As summarised by Jan Coerts, General Manager, FOAMGLAS® Europe, Owens Corning:

‘We are excited to announce this investment as part of our ongoing commitment to the building and construction markets. By focusing on innovation and sustainability, we aim to provide our customers with the best solutions to meet their needs and support the growth of the industry.’