Our history

Shelbyville, USA 1978
1978

Knauf Fiber Glass USA was formed in 1978 when the Knauf family purchased an existing plant in Shelbyville, Indiana.

shelbyville
1983

In 1983, the Shelbyville plant doubles its capacity.

LANETT
1988

Knauf opens a second plant in Lanett, Alabama to produce light-density insulation.

shelbyville
1990

Knauf opens a third plant in Shelbyville, Indiana, to manufacture pipe insulation.

LANETT
1995

An additional production line is added to the Lanett plant, doubling its capacity.

2001

Knauf acquires the European activities of Owens Corning through a joint venture with Alcopor.

KI
2002

Early 2002, a new plant in Shasta Lake, California starts production of light-density insulation. End of 2002, Knauf obtains full ownership over Alcopor thereby acquiring the majority of Owens Corning’s European activities. Company is renamed ‘Knauf Insulation’.

2003

 Knauf Fiber Glass USA becomes part of Knauf Insulation.

SURDULICA
2005

Mid 2005, Knauf Insulation purchases Vunizol, a Rock Mineral Wool factory in Surdulica (Serbia).

HERAKLITH
2006

Early 2006, Knauf Insulation acquires Heraklith, a significant manufacturer of Rock Mineral Wool (6 plants) and Wood Wool (3 plants) and a major player in Central and Eastern Europe.

STUPINO
2007

Mid 2007, a new Glass Mineral Wool plant in Stupino (Russia) starts production. In September 2007, a new production line for Rock Mineral Wool manufacture opens in Surdulica.

2008

In Shelbyville, four production lines are completely rebuilt and the capacity expansion finishes early 2008. Mid 2008, Knauf Insulation acquires Manson Insulation (Canada).

2009
2009

Beginning of 2009, capacity extension with new product line (L3) dedicated to binderless mineral wool in Skofja Loka (Slovenia). Mid 2009, Knauf Insulation’s revolutionary ECOSE® Technology binder is rolled out across all Glass Mineral Wool production. Capacity extension with new Rock Mineral Wool production line in St. Egidien (Germany) in August 2009. 

LANNEMEZAN
2010

New Glass Mineral Wool plant in Lannemezan (France) starts up production.

TURKEY
2011

Knauf Insulation acquires a Glass Mineral Wool plant in Eskisehir (Turkey) and another Glass Mineral Wool plant in Tyumen (Russia) to start  production in 2012. 

2012
2012

Visé-based plant becomes the largest glass wool manufacturing site in Europe thanks to the capacity increase. 

ECOSE
2013

Knauf Insulation acquires the glass wool business of SCHWENK Daemmtechnik GmbH & Co. Knauf Insulation signs the agreement with Exeed Industries LLC (Abu Dhabi UAE) to acquire a holding Exeed Insulation LLC operating as a joint venture under Knauf Insulation management. New Glass Mineral Wool plant in Tyumen (Russia) starts up production. 

Lanett
2014

Knauf Insulation reopens its Lanett plant in Alabama (United States) 2014 Knauf Insulation completes acquisition of Guardian insulation. 

2015

Thies Knauf takes over as CEO of Knauf Insulation.

Jean-Claude Carlin, CEO of Knauf Insulation
2017

Jean-Claude Carlin appointed CEO of Knauf Insulation.