Phinma unit opens P700 million insulated panel plant
Union Insulated Panel Corp. launched a P700 million facility in Pampanga, Philippines, aiming to expand local production and reduce reliance on imports.
New Facility Boosts Local Capacity
Union Insulated Panel Corp. (UIPC), a subsidiary of Phinma Corp., inaugurated a new P700 million manufacturing facility in Porac, Pampanga, on October 20. This investment aims to significantly increase the domestic supply of insulated panels, a critical component for temperature-controlled environments, thereby lessening the Philippines' dependence on imported materials.
The plant is designed to serve various industrial needs, including cold-storage warehouses and food-processing facilities.
Market Shifts Favour Domestic Production
UIPC President and CEO Danielle del Rosario noted that imports currently satisfy 40% to 50% of the local insulated panel market. However, rising global fuel costs and persistent shipping delays are creating a strong competitive advantage for local manufacturers.
Domestic production offers considerably shorter lead times, reducing delivery from potentially 60 days for imported orders to just one to two weeks. This efficiency also allows UIPC to offer competitive pricing.
Energy Efficiency and Construction Benefits
The new facility will produce insulated panels featuring a rigid polyisocyanurate foam core, engineered to minimise heat transfer. UIPC estimates these panels can reduce energy consumption in temperature-controlled facilities by up to 30%. Furthermore, their prefabricated design can accelerate construction timelines by as much as 50%, streamlining project delivery.
The company is also exploring integrating a solar-and-battery system at the Porac plant to ensure power stability and enable potential off-grid operations.
Supply Chain Resilience and Food Security
This expansion directly addresses the need for resilient supply chains within the Philippines, mitigating risks associated with international logistics and price volatility. Beyond construction efficiency, the availability of locally produced insulated panels is vital for developing cold-storage infrastructure.
UIPC highlights the importance of such facilities in preserving food supply, particularly in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events like Super El Niño, which can otherwise lead to significant waste.
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