<p>Builders: There is a shortage of thermal insulation materials on the market</p>

Prague - There is currently a shortage of thermal insulation materials on the market, such as mineral wool. As a result, prices of building materials are also rising. This follows from a survey conducted by ČTK among large construction companies. Some of them are also lacking masonry materials, such as bricks. The Association of Mineral Insulation Manufacturers (AVMI) stated that this is largely a seasonal effect, but this year, however, this fluctuation is stronger than usual. According to the association, the situation in the mineral insulation market will improve after the New Year.

"There is currently a shortage of roofing mineral wool. Delivery times are as late as February 2018. Price levels are high, as strong demand allows manufacturers to offer materials almost without discounts," said Metrostav spokesman Vojtěch Kostiha. According to him, delivery times for other thermal insulations, such as spray foams or expanded polystyrene, are four to five weeks from the order. "The standard delivery time is approximately half of that," he added.

According to him, there was also a problem with some masonry materials, such as bricks or blocks, where some manufacturers did not accept orders at all during the summer. "However, the situation is calming down now. The shortage of aerated concrete blocks can be addressed by imports from abroad," Kostiha further stated.

Hochtief spokesman Michal Talián told ČTK that there is a general shortage of almost all construction materials on the market. "The worst situation is with insulation materials, such as wool, and with masonry materials, such as bricks. We are trying to cope with the shortage by demanding suppliers well in advance. Prices of construction materials have been rising long-term," Talián added. The shortage of insulation materials, both fibrous and polystyrene, was also confirmed by Skanska spokesman Marek Pšeničný. As he noted, it is likely related to the seasonal finishing of facades.

"The current shortage of thermal insulation materials is not only affecting the Czech market, but we are also registering it in other European countries," added Strabag spokeswoman Edita Novotná.

President of the Union of Entrepreneurs in Construction in the Czech Republic, Václav Matyáš, does not see the situation as dramatic. "The construction materials industry in the Czech Republic is in good condition and is sufficient for the market demand. There may be some local outages, in the delivery between the manufacturer and the builder. But it is not a production problem. And regarding prices, the rising quality of materials has to be reflected in the price level," Matyáš said. The union brings together about 1,300 companies from builders, manufacturers of construction materials, design, engineering, and consulting firms.

According to the director of the Association of Mineral Insulation Manufacturers, Marcela Kubů, the association is registering fluctuations in demand for certain types of insulation materials, but not across the entire insulation segment as a whole. "It is largely a seasonal effect, as outdoor insulation finishes before winter. This repeats every year. However, it is true that this year this fluctuation has been strengthened. The reason is mainly the economic recovery in the country, which is beginning to manifest itself in construction with an increasing number of new projects in residential and non-residential construction," Kubů stated.

According to her, the demand is influenced by the generally increased awareness of energy savings as an investment, which is aided by some state programs, such as New Green Savings. "The lack of flexibility in individual deliveries is negatively reflected in the fact that there is not much planning ahead in construction here. On the contrary, production is usually planned in monthly and weekly cycles, so it is sometimes difficult to respond to last-minute market demands," Kubů added. The entire sector has invested and is investing in production capacities. "The situation in the market for mineral insulations will improve after the New Year," she added.