06.11.06

Expanding the Product Range
Knauf Integral supplies gypsum fibre panels for shipbuilding

Satteldorf, 6th November 2006. With a new material named “GIFAmarine”, Knauf Integral is now offering a new product version of its gypsum fibre panel – especially for interior construction of ships . With the granted approval for the offshore area, the newly developed gypsum fibre boards, GIFAmarine 1100 and GIFAmarine 1500, are ideally suited to the high-quality internal finishing in the various types of ships. With this, the company is continuing to consistently expand the gypsum fibre panel product range.

In the course of globalisation, the traffic volumes in shipping and the demand for new ships are increasing disproportionately worldwide. Between the EU and the rest of the world alone, ca. 70 percent of all handled goods are exchanged on the waterways. The future opportunities for the European shipbuilding industry lie in the high-tech market segments. Simultaneously, the demands on the efficiency, safety and environmental friendliness of the ships are also increasing.

Knauf Integral is taking up this challenge and, by developing a new material, is opening new possibilities for offshore equipment. Whether container ships or luxury liners, on oil rigs or in holiday yachts – with GIFAmarine gypsum fibre boards, the security on board increases. The certification necessary for use in high seas was issued by the See-Berufsgenossenschaft (professional sea association), ship safety department. They have worldwide validity – a US Coast Guard approval number was also issued.

“I am pleased to be able to now demonstrate the versatility of our gypsum fibre material also in interior construction of ships,” stated Frank Löbert, who, alongside product-managing GIFAtec, is now also taking on the product management of GIFAmarine.

About Knauf Integral – innovative interior finishing

As an independent company within the Knauf Group, Knauf Integral produces the GIFAtec gypsum fibre panels in a globally unique production process at the Satteldorf site. GIFAtec stands for high quality and innovative systems for floors, walls and ceilings in dry room construction.

The GIFAtec product range has been used for decades in numerous objects across Europe. This forms the basis for extensive experience in building. Knauf Integral is ISO 9001 certified since 1996. Long before certification, all materials and system components were subjected to strict quality inspections in our own laboratories. The gypsum fibre technology developed in connection with the GIFAtec material offers various options in the flexible, economic modern interior finishing

For more information and pictures, please contact:

Knauf Integral KG
Markus Schaetzle
Am Bahnhof 16
74589 Satteldorf
Phone: +49 5261 660 96 49
Mobile: +49 151 461 561 51
Fax: +49 9323 31 888 1278
Email: schaetzle.markus@knauf.de