Knauf Fiberglass history

The project was quickly crowned with success: by 1933 Knauf’s first gypsum factory was established in Perl (Moselle), Germany – and this factory is still the nucleus of production technology for the worldwide Knauf Group.

The founding of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949 was also a time of new beginnings for Knauf – coinciding with a milestone in the company’s history as the company relocated from Perl to Iphofen in northern Bavaria.

1958 The year 1958 was a milestone in our development as the 1st industrial production of plaster boards was successfully launched.

In the mid-1960’s, Knauf produced the world’s first machine-applied plaster, MP75 – while it developed in parallel the related mixing and conveying equipment and modern floor screed made from anhydrite.

1970 In 1970, Knauf made its first investment in a building material that was not made from gypsum: Perlite.

At the beginning of the 1980’s, another significant change was on the way: Nikolaus and Baldwin Knauf, sons of the founders, took over management of the Group – and, with their consequent continuation and implementation of the company’s philosophy, had a significant share in Knauf’s growth.

1988 — Knauf Fiber Glass opened a second plant in Lanett, Alabama to produce light-density insulation.

1990 — Third plant opened adjecent to the first plant and headquarters in Shelbyville to manufacture pipe insulation.

1995 — Doubled capacity at Lanett plant with an additional production line.

2003 — Knauf Fiber Glass joined with newly acquired and renovated manufacturing facilities throughout Europe to become Knauf Insulation.

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

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.

Mid 2007, a new Glass Mineral Wool plant in Stupino (Russia) starts production.

In Shelbyville, four production lines are completely rebuilt and the capacity expansion finishes early 2008.

Capacity extension with new Rock Mineral Wool production line in St Egidien (Germany) in August 2009.

2011 — Knauf Insulation’s entire line of insulation products were verified as formaldehyde free by UL Environment.

2013 — Knauf Insulation received Red List Free status with five products in the International Living Future Institute’s Declare product database.

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

With 150 state-of-the-art production facilities and sales organisations, 26,000 employees worldwide, and sales of 6.5 billion Euro (in 2015), the KNAUF Group is a premier supplier in a variety of markets serving the needs of many large global manufacturing companies.

Knauf now has 220 production facilities and sales organisations in over 80 countries, 28,000 employees worldwide, and sales of 7.2 billion Euro (in 2018).