ROCKWOOL NEWSLETTER 2024 Q2

rockwool

issue 2，2024

Since the start of this year, the domestic stone wool market has experienced dramatic fluctuations and increasing competition: on one hand, we observe a low overall capacity utilization rate in the domestic market; on the other hand, more participants continue to enter the stone wool insulation market. This signifies that amidst national initiatives for energy conservation, emission reduction, and the development of a green economy, many participants also see opportunities. ROCKWOOL China, adhering to the principles of sustainable development, is committed to contributing to the high-quality development of the domestic stone wool insulation industry.

With the goal of carbon reduction, ROCKWOOL Qingyuan factory has adopted the industry-leading new generation of electric energy melting technology to produce stone wool. By utilizing green electricity and photovoltaic power generation within the factory, our electric energy consumption in 2023 was virtually zero carbon emissions. Since the Qingyuan factory began operations, to further utilize the production line's capabilities and achieve efficient, high-quality production, we have carried out a series of optimizations and additions in various aspects from raw materials to electric furnace melting, centrifuge fiber formation, and product category enhancement.

The centrifuge system is a critical equipment that affects the production line’s capacity and quality. The Qingyuan factory has continually upgraded to better match the centrifuge with the production line, resolving bottlenecks in capacity and cost control. In comparison to the major modifications of the hot-end system, the cold-end automatic control system is also being vigorously developed. Currently, the production line's weight and length precision control has significantly improved, reducing transition waste by over 5% and increasing bulk density accuracy by 4%.

Opening article

is improving. The flue gas system is another major challenge affecting continuous production in the electric furnace. Meeting the various indicators of the desulfurization system and preventing blockages and leaks are significant requirements. Through collective brainstorming, we have adjusted and upgraded the original system. The new system, under conditions of desulfurization and dust removal, maximally extends the furnace life and reduces the frequency of system blockages. These series of modifications have created conditions for achieving zero industrial solid waste emissions and clean production, balancing carbon reduction with clean production to meet the requirements of a green three-star factory.

In addressing the production line system capacity bottlenecks and providing high-quality products and reliable delivery to the business departments, ROCKWOOL Qingyuan and Yangzhou factories have also expanded their product processing range. Currently, the Qingyuan production line is equipped to handle online grinding, lamination, and high-precision online strip cutting. The online lamination equipment in the Yangzhou factory has been successfully delivered and is expected to lay a solid foundation for improving the product delivery quality and efficiency in Yangzhou. Furthermore, ROCKWOOL factories have obtained ISO14001 & 45001 certifications for environmental and occupational health and safety management systems, and the products hold multiple high-end certifications, including Domestic Green Three-Star, UL/DNV/EUCEB, among others, catering to diverse needs both domestically and internationally. ROCKWOOL Qingyuan and Yangzhou factories produce stone wool products that not only serve the domestic market but also export to regions such as Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Philippines, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Canada, the USA, and South Africa, earning widespread acclaim and trust from users.

David Mo

Facotry Operations Manager of ROCKWOOL China

Jul, 2024

ROCKWOOL China has completed multiple 

upgrades and transformations, incorporating 

advanced equipment and high-end certifications 

to enhance the production operations 

of its two factories

The raw material system is crucial to the continuous and stable production of the new factory. The previous raw material system faced blockages, and the equipment design capability was somewhat insufficient and mismatched. Through continuous optimization and adjustment by the process, engineering, and production departments, this issue is gradually improving. The operation of the raw material system is increasingly efficient, and its integration with other systems 

                                                                                                                       CEO Jens Birgersson

Enterprise dynamics

ROCKWOOL Group 2024 Q1 result:

Positive sales momentum and strong 

profitability in challenging markets

Enterprise dynamics

Health and safety of mineral fiber insulation materials have been a topic of great concern. A lot of researches show that mineral fiber will significantly raise the risk of lesion if it stays in the lung for a long time. In other words, fiber that can quickly dissolve in the human pulmonary fluid in a short time will greatly lower the risk of lesion in the lung, so the bio-solubility of mineral fiber is a critical index for human health and safety. 

Highlights

• Sales in Q1 2024 totalled 918 MEUR, an increase of six percent in both local currencies and reported figures compared to a weak quarter last year.
• EBITDA in Q1 2024 reached 216 MEUR, an increase of 32 percent in reported figures compared to Q1 2023. The EBITDA margin was 23.5 percent, up 4.6 percentage points from last year. Higher volume, stable overall pricing combined with productivity gains and cost savings ensured a satisfactory earnings level.
• EBIT amounted to 152 MEUR in Q1 2024, an increase of 46 percent, with a 16.5 percent EBIT margin, up 4.5 percentage points from Q1 2023. EBIT includes a 6 MEUR provision for donations to the Foundation for Ukrainian Reconstruction compared to 13 MEUR in the same period last year.
• Investments totalled 84 MEUR in Q1 2024, including the finalisation of the electrification of the factory in Flumroc, (Switzerland).
• Annualised return on invested capital reached 21 percent, up from 16 percent in Q1 2023, primarily due to increased earnings.
• Shareholders may from 15 May 2024 until 30 May 2024 request
• At the end of March 2024, the company had purchased

Outlook

• Sales growth of around mid-single-digit percent in local currencies.
• EBIT margin around 15 percent.
• Investment level around 375 MEUR excluding acquisitions

ROCKWOOL stone wool continuously 

improves the health and safety of 

materials and offers reliable energy-saving 

solutions for users.

World Health Organization (WHO) carried out in-depth studies of stone wool fiber. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) subordinate to WHO formally classified stone wool into class III industrial products in 2001, non-toxic, degradable and non-cancerogenic. ROCKWOOL is a world-leading stone wool manufacturer founded in 1937. Safe production and worldwide application in more than 80 years prove the safety of ROCKWOOL stone wool.

Asbestos and stone wool are totally different materials that have a very small fiber diameter, are insoluble in pulmonary fluid, can hardly be excreted to the outside of the body and can easily produce a disease. It is a cancerogen recognized by IARC .

ROCKWOOL, as a global leader of stone wool material, launched an innovative NGF product in the market. It can not only ensure the quality, but also accelerate the decomposition process of fiber in human body to the greatest extent. The semi-extinction phase of fiber in pulmonary fluid decreases from 80-100 days to less than 20 days, which further improves health and safety of material.

3，ROCKWOOL stone wool has passed the EUCEB certification

EUCEB (European Certification Board for Mineral Wool Products) certification is an authoritative certification for material safety. ROCKWOOL NGF product has passed the EUCEB certification for biological solubility, which symbolizes that it will not damage human health in the production, installation and use process. ROCKWOOL stone wool offers a better choice of fireproof thermal insulation materials to consumers by virtue of excellent biological solubility.

ROCKWOOL green energy solution 

was released in 2024 11th China International 

Solar Power Conference

The largest, highest and most professional international annual event of the Chinese solar power industry-2024 11th China International Solar Power Conference and CSPPLAZA annual meeting (CPC2024) were grandly held during April 25 to 26 at Shangri-La Hotel in Hohhot of Inner Mongolia, in which the green energy solution based on ROCKWOOL Rocktech product drew a lot of attention of the industry. 

Solar power converts solar energy into thermal energy and produces electric power through converting heat power. Solar power, as a clean and green energy source, was formally launched by China National Energy Administration in 2016, and made great progress in the course of industrialization in recent years. Particularly, China included 12 solar power new construction products in the government list based on the first and second large wind photovoltaic power station construction projects and other solar power generation projects in 2023, with a predicted newly-increased installed capacity of 1350MW. By the end of 2023, more than 40 solar power generation projects in progress and to be built in different provinces and autonomous regions of China. 

Solar power has unique technological superiority and functions as peaking power source and stored energy. Solar power has very high requirements for heat storage, and heat energy stored in fused salt should sustain power generation for several hours and even several days. This raises very high requirements for thermal insulation of heat storage tank and high temperature pipe and facilitates with the use of mature and reliable ROCKWOOL Rocktech. 

ROCKWOOL Rocktech is made of natural stone and has excellent thermal insulation property. It can protect heat storage tanks, pipelines, valves and other equipment of solar power stations to reduce heat loss and improve the utilization efficiency of energy. ROCKWOOL Rocktech includes slab, blanket and pipe. With excellent hydrophobicity and corrosion resistance, they can enhance the durability of metal equipment and pipelines and ensure the safety and durability of equipment. Besides, ROCKWOOL Rocktech is a grade A incombustible material that offers comprehensive protection for personnel, properties and environment by virtue of excellent fire resistance and safety and can meet the insulation need of project. 

Enterprise dynamics

Enterprise dynamics

ROCKWOOL stone wool can be applied to:

• Thermal insulation of tank: Thermal insulation of tanks of solar power stations is a critical factor for their stable operation. ROCKWOOL Rocktech is used for fused salt tank to effectively reduce heat transfer and heat loss and ensure fire safety, corrosion resistance and durability.

• Thermal insulation of pipeline: ROCKWOOL Rocktech is used for the pipe network of solar power projects to ensure heat transfer safety and efficiency under high temperature. With strong corrosion resistance, ROCKWOOL stone wool product ensures the durability and stability of the pipe network system.

By virtue of mature and reliable performance, ROCKWOOL stone wool has been applied for many solar power projects. During "The 14th Five-Year Plan", the capacity of new solar power generation projects across the country is predicted to reach about 3 million KW, which is a strong signal for the scale development of the solar power industry. ROCKWOOL hopes to exploit the performance advantages of stone wool product and actively promote the development of the Chinese solar power industry and green energy transformation. 

Cases of ROCKWOOL solar power projects:

 Shouhang Dunhuang solar power project，Gansu Province, China

ROCKWOOL NGF stone wool has been 

successfully applied to Guangzhou Baiyun 

International Airport phase III project

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport phase III extension project is China’s largest civil aviation airport reconstruction and extension project and the largest aviation hub project in the Greater Bay Area. After phase III extension project is completed in 2025, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport will be the world’s largest individual airport.  

T3 terminal is an important part of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport phase III extension project. To achieve the green building goal of “thermal insulation and energy conservation, fire resistance and noise reduction, durability and stability, health and environmental protection”, the metallic roofing of T3 terminal has already used about 150,000㎡ ROCKWOOL stone wool slab product as the fireproof insulation material to build a domestic leading “three-star green terminal” project. ROCKWOOL product and service have been fully recognized by users and the usage quantity will continue to increase. 

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport phase III extension project was still constructed during the Spring Festival in 2024. The general contractor China Construction Second Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd. stuck to its post during the Spring Festival to complete closed water works of the roofing section. ROCKWOOL offered full support for production scheduling and supply chain service according to project need and ensured just-in-time supply of product. To ensure high-quality and efficient construction of roofing insulation engineering, ROCKWOOL dispatched technical personnel to the site. They gave technical instructions and solved the difficulties “in rainstorm weather for consecutive three months and the spring festival vacation” together with the customer; coordinated production, transportation and storage; kept in good contact with the construction organization and helped to deal with construction process and critical node to ensure safe, ordered and high-quality construction of the project.

Meanwhile, ROCKWOOL persists in providing value-added services from the user’s perspective. For example, stone wool board of the project is installed in the steel frame of the roofing system. Size of steel frame has been accurately calculated and designed. ROCKWOOL Qingyuan Factory automatically cuts stone wool board according to steel frame size to avoid material loss and waste disposal arising from on-site manual cutting to greatly accelerate the construction progress and avoid danger incurred during construction.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport T3 terminal roofing insulated stone wool insulation design (160kg and 130kg) shows the scientific concept and high standard requirement of durability and life-cycle cost performance. As to fire resistance, “the melting point of stone wool is no less than 1000℃ and the fireproofing grade is A1”; as to mechanical property, “the compression strength is no less than 60KPa and the point load (load surface) is no less than 1000N”; as to insulation property, “the heat conductivity coefficient is no greater than 0.040W/(m·K)”; as to durability, “the hydrophobicity is no less than 98%”; and the “formaldehyde emission” of stone wool board is no greater than 1mg/L.

The project adopts ROCKWOOL stone wool product for roofing, which not only meets the design requirements, but also further improves the fire and heat resistance as well as “energy conservation, carbon reduction, durability, weather fastness, hydrophobicity, mildew resistance, and acoustic insulation and absorption properties” since NGF (Next Generation Fiber) is used in the production. Fine mineral wool particles inhaled into human body can be discharged quickly to meet higher requirements for health, safety, green and environmental protection of the project. ROCKWOOL Qingyuan Factory adopts electrical furnace production technology and purchases green electricity use permit (namely use of clean power) in full amount. It is the only EUCEB certified stone wool manufacturer in China (EUCEB is an authoritative certificate for biodegradability of mineral wool products) that ensures “green and environmental, energy conservation and carbon reduction” of the whole supply chain from source and fully conforms to the planning concept of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport phase III project.

To ensure smooth implementation of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport terminal roofing project, ROCKWOOL’s effort in production, supply and technology has been highly recognized by related parties. China Construction Second Engineering Bureau issued a commendatory letter to us for overcoming the difficulties in “tight schedule, heavy task and a lot of technical problems” and “offering strong support for material supply and prompt and efficient technical service”.

“Golden cup and silver cup are not as good as customer recognition”. Customer recognition is the impetus for ROCKWOOK to make sustained efforts. ROCKWOOL will continue providing the Chinese market with high-quality fireproof and insulating stone wool products and services to help build more green and low-carbon construction projects and facilitate with sustainable development of city construction.

Enterprise dynamics

Enterprise dynamics

Commendatory letter issued by China Construction

 Second Engineering Bureau 

ROCKWOOL Terminal Application Solution 

ROCKWOOL stone wool is a grade A1 fireproof insulation product that can be used in different parts of airport terminal and offer total solution for fireproof, thermal insulation, noise reduction and environmental protection. With excellent fire resistance, ROCKWOOL stone wool can resist high temperature of above 1000℃, conform to relevant requirements of GB 50016 Code for fire protection design of buildings and GB 51236 Code for fire protection design of civil airport terminal and ensure fire safety of airport terminal as a dense public space. Meanwhile, ROCKWOOL stone wool product conforms to relevant provisions of national standards GB 50189 Design standard for energy efficiency of public buildings and MH/T5033 Standard for green airport terminal by virtue of excellent insulation, energy conservation, sound insulation, noise reduction, health and environmental protection properties, and facilitates to build comfortable, safe, energy-saving and low-carbon sustainable airport project. 

ROCKWOOL stone wool offers total solution for airport terminal project in the following aspects: 

Applications

Applications

With a low heat conductivity coefficient, ROCKWOOL stone wool can effectively obstruct heat transfer for thermal insulation. ROCKWOOL stone wool has been widely used in buildings to reduce energy consumption of heating, refrigerating and ventilating systems. It can not only obstruct heat in a hot environment and maintain the indoor temperature in a cold environment, but also stabilize performance in the whole life cycle. 

Moreover, the fibrous pore structure of ROCKWOOL stone wool can help exhaust air and protect buildings from being damaged by moisture, corrosion and mould, in order to reduce heat loss and energy consumption of buildings and create a comfortable and healthy dwelling environment. It also can protect buildings under complicated and extreme weather conditions. 

Release the natural power of stone and enrich the modern living. Over 80 years ago, ROCKWOOL produced stone wool materials and started the journey of releasing the natural power of stone. For decades, the Company has played a critical role in the global energy conservation field for new and existing building reconstruction. On account of excellent and stable heat-insulating property, ROCKWOOL stone wool creates a comfortable and healthy living environment for us. 

ROCKWOOL is devoted to promote application of high-quality stone wool product in airport terminal to improve fire safety, green and low carbon properties of airport terminal. Based on successful experience in domestic and overseas terminal projects and combined with building need, ROCKWOOL formally released ROCKWOOL Terminal Application Solution in 2024 China Civil Airport Construction Forum, and has drawn extensive attention of the industry combined with the application of ROCKWOOL stone wool in safe, comfortable, low-carbon and environmental airport terminal. 

Fire duct: ROCKWOOL fire duct product can offer protection to fire duct and ensure high-temperature smoke exhaust in a fire and personal safety by virtue of excellent fire resistance. 

Roofing: ROCKWOOL roof product ensures energy conservation, safety and reliability of airport terminal due to light weight, high strength, energy conservation and thermal insulation property, fire resistance, sound insulation property and durability. 

External wall: ROCKWOOL product can improve thermal insulation and energy conservation property and fire safety of terminal by virtue of excellent thermal insulation and fireproof property.

Partition wall: ROCKWOOL product improves fire resistance of terminal, create a quiet and comfortable space and offer a green and environmental indoor environment by virtue of fireproof and sound insulation property. 

Product properties

Thermal Insulation

人有梦想才有动力，国家有梦想才有未来。有梦想，有奋斗，一切美好的东西都能够创造出来。中国特色社会主义已进入新时代，生活在这个时代的中国人民，都有一个共同的梦－实现中华民族伟大复兴。

July is the hotest month with a large electrical load and a relatively high fire risk. With regard to fire safety, ROCKWOOL stone wool, a fireproof insulation material, is grade A1 incombustible material with excellent fire resistance that can resist high temperature of above 1000℃, effectively obstruct fire propagation and avoid a fire of an entire building. About 80% of the victims inhale smoke and toxic gases in a fire. ROCKWOOL stone wool, an inorganic material, will not produce toxic gases in a fire. 

With excellent thermal stability and heat shrinkage resistance, ROCKWOOL stone wool can maintain the structural stability under high temperature to effectively prevent or delay fire propagation. Presently, ROCKWOOL stone wool offers fire safety protection everywhere in city apartment, school facilities, skyscrapers and industrial premises. 

Enterprise dynamics

Product properties

Firesafety

ROCKWOOL adheres to the philosophy of safe production and places high importance on occupational health and environmental protection. On April 29, 2024, ROCKWOOL's Qingyuan and Yangzhou factories hosted a Safety Day event titled "United for Zero Accidents". By implementing a safety management philosophy of "Prevention First and Participation by All", the company organized a series of safety and environmental protection activities to foster employees' awareness and habits concerning safe production.

With active participation from all departments, the event included a "6S" organization and evaluation activity in office areas and workshops. "6S" is a management method aimed at creating a tidy and efficient work environment. Regularly conducting "6S" activities not only helps improve the cleanliness and safety of the workplace but also fosters good work habits and enhances safety awareness among employees. Additionally, a company-wide safety knowledge competition was held, testing employees' grasp of ROCKWOOL's safety and environmental policies and operational procedures, and reinforcing their safety awareness. The Safety Day also featured targeted emergency response drills simulating the emergency handling processes for sudden accidents, enabling employees to master the requirements of the emergency plans thoroughly, enhancing their ability to react in urgent situations, and improving their self-rescue and mutual aid skills. Moreover, a training session to raise awareness of safety and environmental protection was organized. Through meticulously prepared lectures by professional instructors, participants gained a deep understanding of the latest requirements in occupational health safety, environmental protection, and resource conservation, clarifying their responsibilities in these areas and contributing to the creation of a safer, greener work environment.

The Safety Day events demonstrate ROCKWOOL's commitment to employee occupational health and safe production. By conducting various safety practice activities, not only was relevant knowledge effectively disseminated, but employees' awareness of safe production was also cultivated, further advancing the company's safety culture and laying a solid foundation towards achieving the goals of "zero harm and green manufacturing".

ROCKWOOL China Hosts 

Safety Day Events

Applications

人有梦想才有动力，国家有梦想才有未来。有梦想，有奋斗，一切美好的东西都能够创造出来。中国特色社会主义已进入新时代，生活在这个时代的中国人民，都有一个共同的梦－实现中华民族伟大复兴。

Project cases

人有梦想才有动力，国家有梦想才有未来。有梦想，有奋斗，一切美好的东西都能够创造出来。中国特色社会主义已进入新时代，生活在这个时代的中国人民，都有一个共同的梦－实现中华民族伟大复兴。

The Phase II project of the Guangdong Lufeng Jiahu Bay Power Plant is a national key construction project invested and constructed by Guangdong Baolihua New Energy Stock Co., Ltd., with a total investment of 7.8 billion yuan. The project includes the construction of two 1 million kilowatt ultra-supercritical clean coal-fired power generation units. Once operational, this "innovative, green, and smart" first-class power plant will become one of the supporting power sources for the Eastern Guangdong power grid, effectively meeting the electricity demand of Northeast and Southeast Pearl River Delta regions, and significantly contributing to the regional economic development and the revitalization of the old revolutionary base areas in Haifeng and Lufeng.

The main plant building of the Lufeng Jiahu Bay Power Plant Phase II project features a large span and uses a steel structure. To achieve fire safety, thermal insulation, and durable and stable architectural performance for the power plant building, the wall panels utilize ROCKWOOL stone wool as the core material of the multidimensional sandwich panels. ROCKWOOL stone wool core material provides firesafe, thermal insulation, and noise reduction, and is mechanically robust with good dimensional stability, making it the optimal choice for sandwich panel. It meets the comprehensive requirements of the plant building's external walls for fire safety, thermal insulation, acoustics, and aesthetics.

Project cases

ROCKWOOL stone wool core material is used in  

Lufeng Jiahu Bay Power Plant Phase II Project

As the "vanguard" of ultralow energy consumption building technology application of Heilongjiang Province, the dormitory building of Antong Street depot covers a building area of 6000㎡ and uses ROCKWOOL DD slab for insulation material. It is built in full accordance with standard for low energy consumption buildings, and the stone wool insulation layer is 330mm thick. During construction, ROCKWOOL DD slab has been highly recognized by the owner and the design organization by virtue of excellent thermal insulation property, mechanical property, durability and stability in order to meet the design requirements in the using process and play a demonstration role in popularizing ultralow energy consumption technology in severe cold regions. 

ROCKWOOL DD products have been applied to engineering construction for 30 years. With unique structure and performance, ROCKWOOL DD offers excellent solution for ultralow energy consumption building demonstration project. ROCKWOOL DD for roofing has more than 80% of market shares and has more than 60% of exterior wall market shares in Europe. Relative to traditional ordinary stone wool, the weight of DD slab decreases by more than 30% and the thickness decreases by more than 15%, so it fully demonstrates light wight and high strength of ROCKWOOL DD product. 

Fire Safety: ROCKWOOL stone wool core material is an A1 non-combustible material that can withstand temperatures above 1000°C, and does not produce drips or toxic gases in a fire. Depending on the structure and thickness, the fire resistance limit can reach up to 240 minutes.

Thermal Insulation: ROCKWOOL stone wool core material has a low shot content, with fiber diameters smaller than national standards and uniform thickness, reducing convective and radiative heat transfer. The advanced laying technology ensures minimal variance in thermal conductivity.

Mechanical Strength: ROCKWOOL stone wool core material has excellent compressive, tensile, and shear strengths, ensuring it can withstand its own weight load and wind load. Accelerated aging tests guarantee a high retention rate of strength.

Water Repellency and Breathability: The open porous fiber structure of stone wool material allows water vapor to pass through, helping to reduce condensation and mold in buildings, achieving minimal moisture absorption.

The Phase II project of the Lufeng Jiahu Bay Power Plant aims to become an environmentally friendly energy company, adopting ultra-low emission technology, and concurrently building facilities for flue gas desulfurization and denitrification, as well as achieving comprehensive utilization of solid waste and recycling of industrial wastewater. This aligns with ROCKWOOL’s commitment to energy conservation, carbon reduction, and promoting sustainable development. In the future, we look forward to partnering with more energy companies to enhance their energy efficiency and jointly advance the greening of the energy sector.

rockwool ultralow energy consumption PROJECT

Harbin Antong Street SUBWAY depot

ROCKWOOL Greater China

Manufacturer

Qingyuan

No.9 Chuangxin Road, Guangfo Industrial Park, Tangtang Town, Fogang County, Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province,P.R.C

T： 0763-4628899

Yangzhou

T： 0514-89189988

No.5 4th Keyan Road, Economic and Technological Development Zone, Yizheng City, Jiangsu Province, P.R.C

Beijing

Branches and Offices:

T：（+86）10 6590 6077

T：（+86）21 6211 6725

Shanghai

Guangzhou

F：（+86）20 8210 8603

T：（+86）20 8203 8829

Hong Kong

F：（+852）2758 2005

T：（+852）2754 0877

Taiwan

F：（+886）4 2253 6866

T：（+886）4 2253 6866

Philippines

F ：(+63) 2 7710 651

T ：(+63) 2 7710 650

ROCKWOOL Service Hotline: 400 665 0505

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