Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

China: An investigation by non-government agency the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has found that trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) is being widely used as a blowing agent in the rigid polyurethane (PU) foam insulation sector. The EIA contacted 25 precursor or foam producers and found that 18 of these plants were using CFC-11 in 10 different provinces.

In May 2018 the journal Nature revealed that CFC-11 emissions had increased by around 25% since 2012 despite reported production being close to zero in 2006. CFC-11, other chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and substances that damage the Ozone Layer were banned under the Montreal Protocol from 2010.

The EIA speculates that widespread use of CFC-11 by Chinese PU foam producers may be the source of the reported rise of emissions. It estimates that up to 3500 small and medium sized companies could have switched to using CFC-11 following a reduction in the supply of HCFC-141b, an alternative blowing agent, and lax enforcement of the ban on CFC-11. One company representative the EIA spoke to said that HCFC-141b was US$150/t more expensive than CFC-11.

“This is an environmental crime on a massive scale. How the Montreal Protocol addresses this issue will determine whether it continues to merit its reputation as the world’s most effective environmental treaty,” said Climate Campaign Leader Clare Perry.

The EIA has released its report ahead of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Montreal Protocol meeting in Vienna in mid July 2018.

Hungary: Building materials producer Masterplast has been awarded a Euro0.8m grant from the government for its foam insulation plant at Kal. The grant will be used as part of a Euro1.6m upgrade at the site, according to the MTI-Eco news agency.

UK: The British Rigid Urethane Foam Manufacturers’ Association (BRUFA) has warned against ‘misleading’ claims being made in relation to the Grenfell Tower fire ahead of a government investigation. In a statement the body for the rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) and polyurethane (PUR) Insulation Industry in the UK said it would challenge and correct any misleading allegations about the incident and provide information to assist an ‘accurate’ analysis. It added that the PIR and PUR insulation industry is an established and responsible one with a usage of over 50 years in the construction sector.

“We have a growing concern that misleading claims, supported by selective data are gaining traction and being reported as facts. If this supposition takes hold before the enquiry has established the truth of the matter, there is a danger it will lead to the wrong conclusions and decisions, that will do nothing to improve the future safety of buildings, including high-rise tower blocks. It may also lead to behavioural changes that could be detrimental to the future welfare of the built environment,” said BRUFA.

The UK government has appointed Martin Moore-Bick, a former judge, to head the public inquiry into the fire. As well as investigating the incident, the inquiry is expected to recommend changes to national building regulations.

US: Lapolla Industries has launched a new version of its Foam-Lok 500 spray polyurethane foam insulation product. The updated version has passed the AC 377 End Use Configuration Criteria and the producer says it meets the building code requirements for use with no additional ignition barrier required. The open cell insulation is being marketed for use in sealing the building envelope in both residential and commercial applications.

Kyrgyzstan: The Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund plans to expand a thermal foam insulation plant at Besh-Kungei in the Chui region in 2017. The project will cost US$1.67m, with 66% of the funding provided by the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund and the remainder by local businesses. The upgrade is part of a umbrella of investments being made by the fund in 2017.

Saudi Arabia: SABIC plans to launch a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) dedicated grade of foam HP0824NDF in 2017. The chemical manufacturer says that the new product’s advantages include high viscosity, giving good head pressure for uniform and thicker foam thickness, relatively higher resin density for better mechanical strength, and good compression stress as well as resilience. Production benefits include using various foam production processes such as physical foam extrusion, the chemical cross-linking process, as well as the bun process, resulting in lightweight foams. SABIC add that the new grade also offers benefits for thermal insulation.

SABIC launched LDPE HP2024JDF and HP2024NDF dedicated foam grades for Middle East, African, and Asian markets in 2016 for physical extrusion foam. All three grades were developed at the company’s Foam Innovation Centre.

US: Armacell has acquired the insulation business of Nomaco, a manufacturer of extruded polyethylene (PE) insulation foam products. The acquisition of the Yukon, Oklahoma-based manufacturing facility will strengthen Armacell’s domestic production capacity and regional distribution network. No purchase price has been disclosed.

“The expansion of our manufacturing footprint into Oklahoma increases our distribution power and service levels in the Midwest and the West. Our customers will benefit both from a broader product portfolio as well as from stronger technical support,” said Patrick Mathieu, president and chief executive officer of Armacell International.

France: Cement sector multinational LafargeHolcim has launched Airium, a mineral insulation foam. The product was developed at the group’s research and development centre near Lyon. Airium will target thermal insulation markets in Austria, France and Morocco. Later it will focus on North America and other European and North African countries.

Airium is being launched for the filling of concrete blocks in France and Austria and for roof terraces in Morocco. LafargeHolcim say that the insulation of concrete blocks with Airium makes it possible to build and insulate at the same time, saving construction time and space.

“With the launch of Airium, LafargeHolcim demonstrates once again its ability to rethink construction practices in order to continue delivering innovation,” said Gérard Kuperfarb, Group Head of Growth & Innovation at LafargeHolcim. The development of Airium is in line with the commitments of LafargeHolcim’s 2030 Plan to generate one third of its revenue from a portfolio of products and services with enhanced sustainability performance.

Germany: Firestone Building Products Company says that it will build an insulation plant in Heinsberg. The site will establish a European insulation manufacturing and distribution presence for the subsidiary of tyre and rubber manufacturer Bridgestone. The plant is expected to be fully operational in 2018.

“The Heinsberg location will be the second European manufacturing facility for the company. We acquired the Giscosa EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) plant in Terrassa, Spain in 2013,” said Troy Geuther, managing director of international operations and vice president, Firestone Building Products. The new facility will expand production and distribution of polyiso foam, the company’s polyiso foam insulation used in commercial construction.

US: Kingspan Insulation has launched Kooltherm, its rigid thermoset insulation, in the US. The line offers a range of products for wall, floor, soffit and rainscreen applications. It has a fibre-free rigid thermoset phenolic insulation core that resists both moisture and water vapour ingress.

"Kingspan is committed to bringing its globally-innovative technology to the North American market," said Alswinn Kieboom, managing director, Kingspan Insulation North America. "As part of this continuing effort, we are excited to offer our Kooltherm insulation to the construction marketplace. Our class-leading R-value and fire resistance properties will prove to be beneficial to the construction community."