Uncategorized

Noise in workspaces is not only disturbing. Studies have shown that noise can reduce cognitive performance, slowing down the completion of tasks and increasing the likelihood of errors. It can significantly impact productivity, health, and overall well-being. It is a huge problem at stores and factories, but also at schools, fast food restaurants and offices, […]

The furniture industry is one of the most innovative when it comes to incorporating new materials. Let’s think about methacrylate tables and chairs, or the legendary Acapulco Chair woven with PVC cord. The 21st century welcomes the age of expanded polypropylene (EPP) furniture design.     In this article you will discover how to make EPP furniture

Assembly lines put together different components from various suppliers to create a final product, be it a car, a refrigerator or an air conditioner. These industrial ‘Frankensteins’ lead to thousands of journeys for components every day with two fundamental expectations: that they arrive on time and in perfect condition.  Furthermore, in recent years, concerns about

Customisation sets you apart and makes you stand out from the competition. Mass production gives your projects economic viability and makes them executable in a manageable time. Are these irreconcilable objectives? Not at all. Custom plastic parts bring together the best of both worlds. In fact, having custom plastic components for each use delivers versatility,

  We all want to feel at home. This means achieving adequate thermal comfort and maximum soundproofing for noise from mechanical equipment that allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature. Insulating foams are our greatest allies in achieving this. But we are not the only ones to benefit. The energy and environmental impact of an

In 2015 the member countries of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This document encompasses a framework of actions for peace and prosperity condensed in its  17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moving towards the 2030 Agenda is as ambitious as it is complex. It requires a delicate balance between social, climate

Why is ducting important in HVAC?    Air ducts are a key element of HVAC systems, as they are the equipment through which the air moves. Therefore, ensuring that they are regularly serviced and maintained in a good condition is a must.  HVAC ducting delivers either warm or cool air and facilitates the ventilation of

Dear customers, dear partners, 2022 has been as challenging as ever. We want to thank you for the trust you place in us day after day. Collaborating with you on many different projects is the source of our daily motivation! Inspired by our new vision and mission, we are looking forward to a great new year

Energy used by pressure pumps tends to be an invisible cost that ends buried in many other expenses. However, the reality is that improving the efficiency of a pump can have a strong impact on increasing the return on investment (ROI) of a company.   This is because the further away a pump is from its

Reducing the carbon footprint has become a priority in recent years given the rapid increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which reached record levels in 2021 and already accounts for 60% of man’s total impact on the environment. There is no doubt that it is urgent to look for alternatives to curb the harmful repercussions

Although we usually speak of plastic in the singular, the reality is that there are many types of plastic that exist today. Since its appearance in the 19th century, its use has only grown, reaching a world production of almost 400 million tons per year at present. A large part of this ends up in

We are pleased to inform you that the Knauf Industries Group has just finalized the acquisition of the Overath Group. Overath Group is a German based family company, established in the EPP and crosslinked PO (Polyolefine) foams market. The group was founded in 1987 and today employs more than 100 people at two sites: in

The implementation of plastic recycling in industrial environments represents a guarantee that companies are making their best to minimize their environmental impact. With plastic being a non-biodegradable material, it has gained a bad reputation as plastic recycling techniques weren’t adopted.  However, with growing new sensibilities towards sustainability, the application of plastic recycling schemes is growing

The lightening of technical parts stands out today as one of the main strategies companies are using to optimize their designs. Explained briefly, the term lightweight refers to the reduction of component weight in a product, which translates into a reduction of the overall design. From better equipment performance to improved sustainability, reducing the weight

At the heart of circular economy packaging lies a truly revolutionizing premise: the industry must go further in its efforts to minimize its environmental impact and suggest a total paradigm change.  Circular packaging is not just about reusing materials, but a multidisciplinary practice that helps increase resource management, save resources of all types and minimize

HVAC foam insulation consists of a highly efficient method to improve these systems’ performance and sustainability. The many benefits of applying expanded polypropylene foam have caused the rise in the number of this material’s applications in the Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC) industry. What exactly is EPP foam and how can it be applied

HVAC unit components play a significant role in achieving durability and energy efficiency in equipment. As these two factors turn into minimizing economical costs, the importance of picking the right HVAC unit components should not be underestimated. From our experience in designing and implementing HVAC technical parts, we provide a short guide in choosing reliable

The use of protective foam is extended across a number of industries because of this material’s distinct benefits and features. A light and versatile option for protective foam packaging, materials such as EPP and EPS foam have gained popularity in recent years.  At the same time, research around these materials’ environmental impact has made it

Packaging solutions are a product’s first presentation and play an important role in the customer experience. But optimized packaging goes beyond that: it also means the right packaging solution can cut down on costs and facilitate an optimized supply chain. How can brands achieve optimized packaging? We take a look at the main actions in

A package unit in HVAC provides the perfect solution for heating and cooling structures that present space limitations of constraints.  Through the choice of the right system and materials, it’s possible to have access to very efficient pieces of equipment. Learn how in our short guide about package units. What is a package unit? A

The HVAC sector is experiencing a series of important transformations today, as the Ecodesign Directive and other norms are implemented.  The need for more sustainable industries and products that minimize their environmental impact has crystallized in different new regulations in recent years. The Ecodesign Directive in particular aims at the heart of productive processes, as

Achieving thermally efficient HVAC systems has a decisive influence on these structures’ economic costs and sustainability. As a consequence, all strategies leading to increased efficiency in ventilation units, heat pumps, duct thermal insulation and other HVAC equipment present important benefits for owners, operators and society at large. How can manufacturers provide thermally efficient HVAC systems?

Packaging innovation in 2022 is guided by one central idea: packaging solutions will be sustainable or they will not be.  How is innovative packaging design incorporating environmental concerns into the equation? We take a look at the main packaging innovations today and what they mean for companies looking to comply with current legislation around packaging

Due to its many economical and environmental advantages, lightweight packaging has become a buzzword in the packaging industry.  As the role of packaging in logistics is more and more understood, companies are paying more attention to their choice of packaging. The truth is that packaging not only remains a key factor in protecting goods but

From industrial pieces to commercial objects and packaging, expanded polypropylene is the silent hero behind a number of commonplace items found across the globe. A closed-cell bead foam material produced from polypropylene, expanded polypropylene has conquered many industries and markets because of its extraordinary properties: it is lightweight, provides outstanding thermal and acoustic insulation as

The hunt for sustainable HVAC systems comes at a time when governments, citizens and manufacturers alike have seen the undeniable benefits of striving for efficiency in these structures.  This search can take different shapes, from using more efficient equipment (including geothermal heat pumps and gas furnaces), to refining processes, such as employing low-GWP refrigerants. The

HVAC energy efficiency has become a key trend among installers and manufacturers and users, as word spreads around it equals less economic and environmental costs.  As heating and cooling can represent about half of the energy used in a building, achieving efficient heating and cooling is critical for managing costs and sustainability. In fact, the

The current imperative for applying eco-consciousness into economical processes has seen companies look for new and improved ways to reduce packaging and, as a consequence, reduce packaging waste.  From our decades-long experience with packaging design, at Knauf, we take a look at current packaging optimization options using an eco-design perspective that helps companies advance towards