Photo courtesy of Isolcork

As temperatures continue to rise and electricity costs follow suit, companies and homeowners are keen on finding ways to cut costs while improving their energy efficiency.

That's where Isolcork comes in. This top-of-the-line, multi-purpose, cork-based finish is sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, insulating, and durable, both for maintenance and new construction projects.

And the best part is that it's applied to the exterior only, meaning there's no need to pause or rearrange what's happening inside — whether that's manufacturing or everyday life — while the building's envelope is improved.

Isolcork has specialized in sustainable cork for the construction, operational, and maintenance industry since 2010, and is now available for residential use as well. Its products have been commercialized in 14 countries in both Europe and Latin America and used on more than 10,000 projects worldwide, including 25-plus in Arizona and Texas. All Isolcork lab tests have been conducted in U.S. labs under ASTM.

There are two options:

  • Spray cork: A blend of premium granulated cork particles combined with high-grade water-based resins, mineral fillers, stabilizers, and additives. (This video demonstration goes into more detail.)
  • Rubber top: Sprayable waterproofing membrane with rubber and nanoparticles for corrosion protection.

“We have a high standard of quality control for our products, and we manufacture a premium coating solution," says Isolcork manufacturer Pablo Palma. "We buy the best cork from the best producer of cork in the world, which is in the country of Portugal, and we use a unique grain size that we process manually in our manufacturing facility. I can certainly say that making spray cork is like being a master chef with a Michelin-starred restaurant. We are proud of our product, and we will keep it that way for our clients.”

American commercial buildings, especially warehouses, manufacturing, and healthcare facilities, that add Isolcork and meet certain government requirements can also qualify for a tax deduction of up to $5 per square foot, according to Section 179D.

Isolcork maintains a trusted partnership with a specialized tax firm that can build and certify the energy models for commercial buildings under Section 179D tax deduction incentives.

The global green construction is estimated to reach $774 billion by 2030, with a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8 percent from 2022 to 2032.Texas is the second-largest market in the U.S. for these type of products.

“Our success is due to three worldwide trends in the construction industry," says Isolcork's Mario Palma. "First, environmental entities are looking for natural component materials due to environmental requirements. Second, younger generations who care more about the environment are getting into decision-making positions across industries and they prefer natural products. Third, building owners, no matter what view they have, are looking to save energy and money due to the energy cost increase. Our products are 100 percent aligned with these worldwide trends.”

Companies around the world have been discovering the benefits of Isolcork — one recent example is a large manufacturing facility in Dallas. The estimated energy cost savings in heating and cooling will be between 15 and 20 percent for a standard product solution, plus the estimated tax deduction according to estimation could be equivalent to 70 percent of the total cost of the envelope improvement work.

Isolcork has proven so successful that it even holds the honor of being the first Latin American startup to be part of the Center for Innovation Program at the University of Arizona.

“With the estimated North America demand for Isolcork products being so large, the company is looking for locations and financial support of $10 million to build two manufacturing facilities in Texas and Arizona," says Isolcork USA & Canada country manager Emilio R. Armstrong.

Whether you're looking to invest in Isolcork or simply add it to your structure, the benefits of the sustainable product are immense. Learn more about Isolcork here.

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Intuitive Machines to acquire NASA-certified deep space navigation company

space deal

Houston-based space technology, infrastructure and services company Intuitive Machines has agreed to buy Tempe, Arizona-based aerospace company KinetX for an undisclosed amount.

The deal is expected to close by the end of this year, according to a release from the company.

KinetX specializes in deep space navigation, systems engineering, ground software and constellation mission design. It’s the only company certified by NASA for deep space navigation. KinetX’s navigation software has supported both of Intuitive Machines’ lunar missions.

Intuitive Machines says the acquisition marks its entry into the precision navigation and flight dynamics segment of deep space operations.

“We know our objective, becoming an indispensable infrastructure services layer for space exploration, and achieving it requires intelligent systems and exceptional talent,” Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus said in the release. “Bringing KinetX in-house gives us both: flight-proven deep space navigation expertise and the proprietary software behind some of the most ambitious missions in the solar system.”

KinetX has supported deep space missions for more than 30 years, CEO Christopher Bryan said.

“Joining Intuitive Machines gives our team a broader operational canvas and shared commitment to precision, autonomy, and engineering excellence,” Bryan said in the release. “We’re excited to help shape the next generation of space infrastructure with a partner that understands the demands of real flight, and values the people and tools required to meet them.”

Intuitive Machines has been making headlines in recent weeks. The company announced July 30 that it had secured a $9.8 million Phase Two government contract for its orbital transfer vehicle. Also last month, the City of Houston agreed to add three acres of commercial space for Intuitive Machines at the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport. Read more here.

Japanese energy tech manufacturer moves U.S. headquarters to Houston

HQ HOU

TMEIC Corporation Americas has officially relocated its headquarters from Roanoke, Virginia, to Houston.

TMEIC Corporation Americas, a group company of Japan-based TMEIC Corporation Japan, recently inaugurated its new space in the Energy Corridor, according to a news release. The new HQ occupies the 10th floor at 1080 Eldridge Parkway, according to ConnectCRE. The company first announced the move last summer.

TMEIC Corporation Americas specializes in photovoltaic inverters and energy storage systems. It employs approximately 500 people in the Houston area, and has plans to grow its workforce in the city in the coming year as part of its overall U.S. expansion.

"We are thrilled to be part of the vibrant Greater Houston community and look forward to expanding our business in North America's energy hub," Manmeet S. Bhatia, president and CEO of TMEIC Corporation Americas, said in the release.

The TMEIC group will maintain its office in Roanoke, which will focus on advanced automation systems, large AC motors and variable frequency drive systems for the industrial sector, according to the release.

TMEIC Corporation Americas also began operations at its new 144,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Brookshire, which is dedicated to manufacturing utility-scale PV inverters, earlier this year. The company also broke ground on its 267,000-square-foot manufacturing facility—its third in the U.S. and 13th globally—this spring, also in Waller County. It's scheduled for completion in May 2026.

"With the global momentum toward decarbonization, electrification, and domestic manufacturing resurgence, we are well-positioned for continued growth," Bhatia added in the release. "Together, we will continue to drive industry and uphold our legacy as a global leader in energy and industrial solutions."

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This article originally appeared on EnergyCapitalHTX.com.

2 Texas cities named on LinkedIn's inaugural 'Cities on the Rise'

jobs data

LinkedIn’s 2025 Cities on the Rise list includes two Texas cities in the top 25—and they aren’t Houston or Dallas.

The Austin metro area came in at No. 18 and the San Antonio metro at No. 23 on the inaugural list that measures U.S. metros where hiring is accelerating, job postings are increasing and talent migration is “reshaping local economies,” according to the company. The report was based on LinkedIn’s exclusive labor market data.

According to the report, Austin, at No. 18, is on the rise due to major corporations relocating to the area. The datacenter boom and investments from tech giants are also major draws to the city, according to LinkedIn. Technology, professional services and manufacturing were listed as the city’s top industries with Apple, Dell and the University of Texas as the top employers.

The average Austin metro income is $80,470, according to the report, with the average home listing at about $806,000.

While many write San Antonio off as a tourist attraction, LinkedIn believes the city is becoming a rising tech and manufacturing hub by drawing “Gen Z job seekers and out-of-state talent.”

USAA, U.S. Air Force and H-E-B are the area’s biggest employers with professional services, health care and government being the top hiring industries. With an average income of $59,480 and an average housing cost of $470,160, San Antonio is a more affordable option than the capital city.

The No. 1 spot went to Grand Rapids due to its growing technology scene. The top 10 metros on the list include:

  • No. 1 Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • No. 2 Boise, Idaho
  • No. 3 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
  • No. 4 Albany, New York
  • No. 5 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • No. 6 Portland, Maine
  • No. 7 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
  • No. 8 Hartford, Connecticut
  • No. 9 Nashville, Tennessee
  • No. 10 Omaha, Nebraska

See the full report here.