“Superinsulator” as the driving force for a new round of capacity expansion at Sunpor’s Radlberg site

ST. PÖLTEN, 2nd SEPTEMBER 2011

Rising energy costs and the need to protect the climate have underpinned the development of insulation in the international construction industry into a dynamic and key market.  A leading participant in this sphere is based in St Pölten: with their Lambdapor® “superinsulator”,  Sunpor has attained a leading technological position in the field of insulation – and has advanced to third position amongst producers of EPS* Polymer in Europe.  On the occasion of its 25th anniversary the company announced a new phase in its expansion: with an investment of around 100 million Euros, Sunpor will by the year 2014 double the production capacity of their manufacturing site, which was only first opened in 2007.

*Expandable Polystyrene, commonly known as “Styropor”

Lambdapor® : top international performer in insulation – made by Sunpor 
“Anyone who invests in strongly performing insulation at a time of rising energy and environmental costs creates added value and is guaranteed to receive a return on his investment”   Franz Schmitzberger, Sunpor Managing Director, thus sums up the market appeal of  Lambdapor®, the “superinsulator” developed by Sunpor.   The processing of Lambdapor® granulate, developed and produced by Sunpor, creates insulation panels with an effectiveness some 25% superior to that shown by conventional white EPS panels.  Technological innovation allows fine graphite particles to be introduced and embedded in the polymer.  These lower the heat conductivity and confer a characteristic grey tone on the high-tech insulation panels.

Sunpor as co-creator of the key insulation market 
In view of depleting energy sources, rising energy prices, and the pressing need for climate protection, building insulation has become a highly profitable undertaking.  And internationally the rapid trend is in the direction of grey high-tech EPS.  Mr. Olav N. Sunde, CEO of Sunpor’s Norwegian parent company, O.N. SundeAS gives this correspondingly cheering summary: “Thanks to Lambdapor® , this St. Pölten company belongs among the group of technical pioneers and co-creators of this strategic market of the future”.

Within 4 Years: 100 Million Euros and 40 extra jobs at the Radlberg site
Sunpor with a further round of expansion capacity at the Radlberg site will seize their opportunity: a further extruder hall and administration building will by 2014 double the capacity of the production; moreover, the output of Lambdapor®,  the product of the future, will quadruple. This new investment for this expansion phase at Radlberg will cost around 100 million Euros, create 40 additional jobs, and increase the total annual production of Sunpor (including that at the Stattersdorf Site and counting that of white EPS) from around 175,000 tons to around 260,000 tons.

Outstanding on-site Standards and Environmental Compatibility
As far as compatibility with the surrounding area, environmental protection, and health and safety care are concerned, Sunpor will consistently continue to subscribe to the highest standards.  The company was first awarded its Responsible Care Certificate in 2002.  This international distinction is the most challenging distinction for environmental and health safety care in chemical industry production.  As part of a comprehensive re- auditing in 2011 the Responsible Care status of the main site at Stattersdorf was confirmed, and the production operation at Radlberg was additionally included in this recognition.