Atlanta-based Kingspan Insulation LLC will invest $27 million to build a manufacturing plant for insulated building panels at its Winchester, Va., location.
The division of Kingspan Group expects to create 37 jobs as it boosts production capacity for its Optim-R brand vacuum insulated panels to meet increased demand for energy efficient products from residential and commercial builders.
The company says Optim-R panels have a microporous core that is evacuated then encased and sealed in a thin, gas-tight envelope to provide a high level of thermal efficiency — up to five times better than competitors — in an ultra-thin insulation.
The panels are suited for projects where construction space or depth is an issue.
"We are eager to start constructing a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant to produce Optim-R vacuum insulated panels; an ultra-high performance insulation solution that is revolutionizing how architects and engineers achieve stringent thermal requirements for the roofs of their construction projects," Doug Crawford, managing director of Kingspan Insulation, said in a news release from the office of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Kingspan's Winchester plant opened in 1980 and has grown to become a critical manufacturing facility for the company.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Frederick County and The Port of Virginia to secure the project. Gov. then approved a performance-based grant of $550,000 from the Virginia Investment Performance Grant, an incentive that encourages continued capital investment by existing Virginia companies.
The new facility will use sustainable building features, such as solar roof panels; translucent wall panels to incorporate natural lighting and allow for reduced energy usage; and a harvesting program to recycle rainwater.
The company has a goal of net zero carbon emissions for all Winchester product facilities.
Kingspan Insulation also manufactures building wraps, pre-insulated HVAC ductwork, Kingspan XPS insulation and house-wrap products.