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HFO INSULATION SPRAY FOAM SELECTED AS BEST GREEN BUILDING PRODUCT

27 March 2019

An HFO insulation spray foam has been selected as the best green building product at the 2019 International Builders’ Show in the USA. As well as a non-flammable blowing agent with GWP 1 and thermal efficiency, the foam is sprayed from reusable containers, provides air and radon barriers (particularly important for Canada), uses 12.5% post-consumer waste from the recycling of plastic bottles and in total 19% recycled and renewable content. The HFO spray foam products are used for exterior applications to meet continuous insulation requirements from the basement and up the walls, and also for the attic (roof space), creating a virtual cocoon that protects almost the entire structure from the outside elements.

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In addition, the Foams TOC 2018 Montreal Protocol Assessment Report noted that there has been an increasing focus on insulation use in existing buildings, where solutions are required to be both efficient and cost-effective. PU spray foam has made considerable inroads as a result. For PU spray foam the major challenge relates to the safe processing of these systems under in-situ conditions within a building. The potential for the accumulation of blowing agent in ‘pockets’ creates the risk of fire or explosion if flammable materials are used. Another aspect of the change to HFO/HCFOs as blowing agents is the continuing development by additive suppliers of catalysts and surfactants which help optimize various performance parameters of HFO/HCFOs, such as thermal and mechanical properties and shelf stability of polyol blends. New catalysts and surfactant designed for use with HFOs have already been introduced commercially into the market globally.

Source: Building Enclosure on line

Explanatory note: The source describes the blowing agent as a HFO, which is often used to encompass HFOs and HCFOs. For this application the blowing agent is a HCFO.

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