Johns Manville has created an opportunity for the Berkshire Hathaway Co. to increase capacity for its line of Formaldehyde-free glass fiber building insulation products. Johns Manville will add up to 200 million pounds between now and 2006, as customer demand increases.

The company's decision to expand its capacity, which will boost production of light density batts, rolls and loose fill, is part of a strategic plan to meet the increasing needs of a growing market.

The company said that as energy prices continue to rise, homebuyers are demanding stronger insulation packages. JM said that the capacity increase will become available starting in mid-2005 with all of the 200 million pounds completed in 2006. Loose fill production will increase by nearly 50 percent in order to meet the demand for Johns Manville's Spider custom spray-in insulation system.