DENVER. — Fiberglass producer Johns Manville in late March announced plans to build a new pipe insulation manufacturing facility to restore capacity lost in a 2003 plant fire. The facility will allow JM to produce Micro-Lok Fiber Glass Pipe Insulation with capability to expand production.

The new plant’s fully automated process will move from raw material melting to rotary glass fiberization to mandrel winding to jacketing and final packaging in one operation. The resulting product will deliver consistent insulating performance, according to the company. Insulation from the plant will come in a range of diameters and thicknesses in 3-ft. lengths for warehousing and installation.

Several potential plant sites are being evaluated, including communities where JM already has facilities. The location of the plant will be decided by late May and the plant is expected to be up in full production in 2006.