Knauf Insulation took part in the Construction and Architecture International Exhibition held in Kyiv on 24 to 28 March 2009. Over the last 18 years, the exhibition became the major construction industry forum of Ukraine reflecting industry development trends and lines. Thousands of professionals and consumers come to the exhibition every year to find out about the novelties and developments in the construction industry. Visitors pay great interest to energy saving materials and technologies.
Knauf Insulation Ukraine presented energy saving thermal insulation materials for roofs, façades, floors, indoor walls and partitions.

Novelties in the product range included new glass fibre-based thermal and acoustic insulation materials Venti Thermo Slab (a ventilated façade slab) and Acoustic Partition. These materials developed on the basis of modern requirements demonstrate excellent thermophysical performance, are light and elastic, fire proof and safe for environment; they also have a number of other advantages. The increased density of Venti Thermo Slab, its lightness and affordable price make this material optimal for the suspended ventilated structures. Acoustic Partition has the highest sound absorption factor in the industry (k = 1) ensuring the maximum acoustic insulation effect in partitions between rooms.

A business forum named "Investments into a modern and energy efficient house: from the idea and design to the implementation and operation" was organised by Edipress publishers with the support of Knauf Marketing within the framework of the exhibition. During the forum, experts discussed a number of issues of the investment appeal of energy saving projects in Ukraine and specific features of the utilisation of such technologies and materials in buildings. Representatives of Epicentre K, Knauf Marketing, Knauf Insulation, Wellton, Wienerberger, Verdani, Lober GmbH, et al. made presentations on this subject.

The participants shared an opinion that the appropriateness of investments into the energy saving technologies in the construction industry is beyond doubt in view of the approximation of the energy prices in Ukraine to the European level. According to experts, the cost of construction with the utilisation of energy-saving technologies is 7 to 8 per cent higher than the cost of traditional construction; however, up to 70% of energy resources can be saved in the course of the operation. For instance, houses in Sweden, where the climate is harsher and the winter is longer than in Ukraine, consume 2 to 3 times as little energy due to a thicker layer of the thermal insulation and the possibility to adjust the thermal energy consumption. It makes economic sense to build houses using energy-saving materials, when they are used comprehensively and if systems are installed correctly. "Thermal insulation, an energy saving boiler or an adjustable radiator on its own will not solve the energy saving problem completely. Today, we have to promote a range of solutions capable of bringing about the maximum effect, rather than individual products. To this end, it is also important to opt for high-quality products and comply with system installation rules", stated Hanna Dukhno, Business Development Manager of Knauf Insulation Ukraine.