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Armacell

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Armacell International S.A.
IndustryChemicals
Founded2000
FounderThomas Armstrong
HeadquartersLuxembourg
Key people
Laurent Musy (CEO)
ProductsThermal, low-temperature and cryogenic industrial insulation materials
Revenue399,000,000 EUR (2009)[1]
Number of employees
2300[1]
Websitearmacell.com

Armacell is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial foams and flexible insulation materials, based in Luxembourg. It has over 3,135 employees and 25 production plants in 19 countries.[2][3]

History

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Armacell was the insulator manufacturing division of Armstrong World Industries, until a management buyout in June 2000.[4] Founder Thomas Armstrong created the division in 1899, when Armstrong World Industries, started producing insulated corkboard and brick. In 1954, the division experienced success after launching Armaflex, a flexible technical insulator for pipe connections.[5][6]

In 1960, Armstrong World Industries laid the foundation for Armstrong Kork GmbH in Germany to produce flooring. The company opened its first distribution office in Düsseldorf as part of their expansion in Europe. This became the foundation of Armstrong's European headquarters.

A new factory was erected in Münster in 1967, to handle increasing demand for Armaflex. The 1973 oil crisis led to innovations in heating-system insulators. Growth was propelled by West Germany's "Energieeinsparverordnung", a law obliging building owners to construct buildings that use as little energy for heating as possible.[7]

In 1984, Swiss company Rothrist and its brand Tubolit were taken-over, adding insulations based on polyethylene to the range of products.[8]

In 1991, the Münster site was equipped as a center for advanced research[9] for insulation solutions. In June 2000, the insulation division became independent company Armacell International Holding, with all rights to Armaflex and Tubolit.[10] In 2001, Armacell founded a new company division with a focus on technical foams.[11]

At the end of 2019, the financial investor Blackstone sold the majority of the capital in Armacell to PAI partners, while the minority shareholder Kirkbi, who has held a stake in Armacell since 2016, increased its stake at the same time.[12]

Expansion and acquisitions

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The company expanded into Asia the following year, acquired a Thai producer of technical insulation and founded a new division for technical foams. In 2004, Armacell acquired Ensolite and Oletex and the associated facilities from the US-American RBX group. In 2005, Armacell took over American foam slab stock producer Monarch Rubber[13] and Fagerdala Benelux S.A., a European producer of thermoplastic foams. In 2008, Armacell purchased MDS Leuze, a manufacturer of blank-sheet cable coatings[14] and PropaCene.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b Florian Langenscheidt; Bernd Venohr (2010). Lexikon der deutschen Weltmarktführer: Die Königsklasse deutscher Unternehmen in Wort und Bild (in German) (Deutsche Standards ed.). Köln. ISBN 978-3-86936-221-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ wn. "Armacell übernimmt "OneFlex"". www.wn.de (in German). Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Zahlen & Fakten der Armacell Group". 23 October 2014. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  4. ^ "The company Armacell was founded in May 2000 as a management buy-out". Retrieved 19 June 2011.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ 50 Jahre Armaflex – 50 Jahre Technische Innovation
  6. ^ "We use Armaflex AC for thermal insulation of sanitary hot water and heating pipes, and for condensation protection of cold water pipes". Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  7. ^ "It is common knowledge that considerable energy savings can be achieved through the optimal insulation of buildings". Archived from the original on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  8. ^ "The company also provides polyethylene tube insulation for domestic plumbing and commercial hot water applications". Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  9. ^ "Thanks to innovative technologies, Germany-based foam manufacturer Armacell is now able to manufacture foam cores from the recyclate of PET bottles". Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Tubolit SS polyethylene pipe insulation is recommended for use on lines operating from 0°F (-17°C) to 180°F (82°C)". Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Armacell – Chemie-Schule". www.chemie-schule.de (in German). Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  12. ^ "PAI PARTNERS AND KIRKBI A/S AGREE TO ACQUIRE ARMACELL FROM BLACKSTONE".
  13. ^ "Armacell LLC, global leader in engineered foams, proudly continues the Monarch tradition". Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  14. ^ "As of December 31, 2008, MDS Manfred Leuze GmbH operates as a subsidiary of Armacell International GmbH". Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  15. ^ "Armacell expansion continues: Armacell acquires the PropaCene business from US manufacturer Cellect". Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2011.