Global Insulation homepage

2 July 2008 Sekisui House announces the 'Zero Emission House'

In conjunction with the Hokkaido Toyako Summit (July 7-9 2008) Sekisui House announces Japan's cutting edge prefabricated housing and environmental technology to the world: The Zero Emission House. The Hokkaido Toyako Summit, (The G8 Summit) being hosted by Japan, will be held over three days from Monday July 7 to Wednesday July 9, 2008 at the town of Toyako in Hokkaido, and will focus mainly on global warming prevention measures.

To coincide with the summit, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is constructing the Zero Emission House, which is a futuristic residential house featuring photovoltaic cells, fuel cells and other superior Japanese environmental technology. The display will be located beside the International Media Center (IMC) being constructed within the grounds of the Rusutsu Resort, 27 km from the summit venue at the Windsor Hotel. Sekisui House is collaborating in the construction of the Zero Emission House by providing the high earthquake resistance, energy saving functions and other advanced Sekisui House prefabricated housing technology.

The Zero Emission House is a single-storied steel structure prefabricated house with a total floor area of approximately 200m2 and an exterior that has been designed to imbue traditional Japanese beauty. The house will showcase state-of-the-art Japanese energy and environmental technology to the world, with features including a 14.5kW capacity photovoltaic generation system, energy efficient lighting, a household fuel cell, and energy saving household appliances. Construction of the Zero Emission House will be completed by the end of June, and the exhibit will be open to media professionals from Japan and overseas during the summit.

In June 2005, Sekisui House initiated its Action Plan 20, a set of measures aimed at achieving comfortable living spaces while reducing the CO2 generated by occupancy. Sekisui House began sales of the Carbon Neutral House in April 2008, using sophisticated energy saving technology to reduce and offset CO2 emissions through power generation from a photovoltaic generation system and fuel cell to reduce net CO2 emissions almost to zero. Sekisui House has achieved zero emissions at its manufacturing factories, new house construction sites, and recently also at its remodeling sites, and is also reducing materials usage and implementing a range of other measures to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the entire lifecycles of the buildings it constructs.

The Zero Emission House goes one step beyond Sekisui House's Carbon Neutral House in its use of state-of-the-art global warming prevention technology, and the CO2 reduction achieved with its photovoltaic generation system substantially exceeds the volume of CO2 emissions. Using the Sekisui House management system, zero emission of waste material has been achieved at the Zero Emission House construction site.

1 July 2008 Superglass hit by slow UK construction

Insulation group Superglass has warned profits this year will be below last time due to lower activity in the UK. Superglass said that the UK's carbon reduction programme has not yet gained the momentum it expected, resulting in reduced activity in the UK. Superglass has increased penetration into the European market, but not by enough to offset current slippage in the UK. Although, the rise in energy costs continues to be a concern it will also increase the immediate demand for high levels of insulation, Superglass added.

1 July 2008 LaPolla buys AirTight

LaPolla Industries, Inc. LaPolla, a leading manufacturer and supplier of spray foam insulation and coatings designed to reduce energy consumption in the commercial and residential markets, announced that it has acquired the assets of AirTight Marketing & Distribution, Inc.

AirTight SprayFoam is one of the Southeast's leading spray foam insulation distributors. AirTight SprayFoam's staff brings decades of experience in the foam and conventional insulation market and offers one of the top turn-key start-up and training programs in the US.

30 June 2008 Industrial Nanotech cancels US retail/warehouse expansion plans

Industrial Nanotech, Inc, a manufacturer of specialty nanotech-based coatings for industrial, residential, and automotive parts, announced that it will not open regional warehouse/retail centers in the US at this time as previously announced.

"Focusing our resources on continued new product development appropriate for this era of rapidly rising energy costs and continuing to expand market share for our current and upcoming energy saving products in the still rapidly growing industries and regions of the world is a more appropriate strategy for maintaining our long trend of high revenue growth rate at this time," states Stuart Burchill, CEO of Industrial Nanotech. "Our new Nansulate EPX product line, with its industry high thermal insulation performance, our upcoming additions to our product lines, and our continued expansion into Asia, China, and the Middle East are proving to be very resilient sources of revenue growth in this unique economic environment and we will continue to focus on these productive and successful ventures for the foreseeable future."

27 June 2008 Kingspan to shed jobs

Kingspan has announced plans to shed up to 64 jobs at its factory in Herefordshire, UK, due to the downturn in the housing market. Kingspan Insulation said the redundancies at its Pembridge factory were "unavoidable" to minimise the impact of a noticeable decline in trade during 2008. In a statement, the company said every possible step would be taken to minimise the number of job cuts, including full dialogue and consultation with trade unions.

A spokesman for Kingspan, which expects market conditions to recover within the next 18-24 months, said: "The current economic downturn is having a wide-ranging effect on business, and has hit the housing industry particularly hard. At this point in time the number of new houses being built is down by around 50% from the start of the year, and it is predicted that next year will see a 20% drop. Although in general terms the business is strong, additional pressures in terms of rising costs have meant that steps must be taken to manage and minimise the impact of the current market trend."

26 June 2008 ISOVER insulation system can cut housebuilding costs by 20%

Despite the downfall in the property market, housebuilders looking for cost savings on current developments can salvage more than 20% using RD35 – a Robust Details-approved party wall insulation system from Isover that has also won up to three credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes. Saint-Gobain Isover launched RD35 (E-WM-8) in 2005 as a response to the requirements of the new Part E Acoustic Regulations which required a Robust Detail–approved system to avoid pre-completion sound testing.

Regional housebuilder Macbryde Homes, who were one of the first developers to adopt this construction method, were able to finish developments days ahead of schedule and were so impressed with the savings it is now their standard method for party wall construction. Macbryde’s design director Ian Hornby said. “Isover’s RD35 system can be installed in all temperatures, in a fraction of the time a parge coat takes, and without the mess and labour involved when using wet cement. And because it’s manufactured from 80% recycled material, it’s vastly more environmentally friendly than cement.”

Now research by Isover shows cost savings of more than 20% can be made in materials and labour because the party wall does not have to be plastered on both sides. Neither does the contractor have to wait for the parge coats to dry – another time saving. The basic wall construction of E-WM-8 also ensures one credit under the Code for Sustainable Homes, while increasing the design cavity to 100mm attracts three.

Gerry Mitchell, Isover’s head of innovation, said: “Housebuilders’ revenues and profits are falling and they are seeking ways to work with their suppliers to cut costs and minimise the impact. Here we have the cheapest masonry wall Robust Detail construction which can save around 20% compared to other solutions.” All other Robust Detail masonry party wall constructions force housebuilders to revert to a wet trade internal wall lining, generally involving sand and cement, away from the plasterboard-on-dabs method that had been their preferred one for years. Isover RD35 high-performance acoustic slabs are positioned in the party wall cavity in conjunction with plasterboard-on-dabs dry lining, allowing housebuilders to revert to their preferred method of construction. It is the only Robust Detail-approved alternative to cement-based solutions. As such, it has attracted tens of thousands of plot registrations to date.

26 June 2008 NBT insulation heats up

Natural Building Technologies has launched an innovative new woodfibre insulation board targeted specifically at the repair and refurbishment markets. The Pavadentro board has been created to effectively insulate external walls on the inside, while greatly reducing the risk of condensation build up within the fabric of the building. The Pavadentro boards are ideal for use in refurbishment projects which cannot be insulated externally, such as listed or heritage buildings, where the external appearance must remain untouched. Specification of this woodfibre insulation board ensures a minimal risk of condensation damage to the existing wall structure.

The inclusion of a mineral-based layer, comprising sodium silica, within the new Pavadentro boards provides essential protection for the building fabric. This mineral/woodfibre combination, together with capillary action and hygroscopicity, regulates the passage of moisture travelling to the external wall to avoid the risk of condensation occurring. However, the natural vapour permeability of the woodfibres beneficially ensures breathability and control of any vapour that naturally occurs in an occupied building, thereby maintaining a healthy living environment.

The Pavadentro board does not include a ‘traditional’ vapour control barrier, as they actually block moisture, and may even trap it inside the building structure, which then causes long-term structural damage and ill-health for occupants within the building. Many ‘modern’ insulating materials, cement-based plasters and renders are effectively vapour-closed and can trap moisture in this way, bringing lasting damage to the building fabric if installed incorrectly. It is Pavadentro’s ability to regulate the passage of water vapour that ensures this risk does not occur, especially in the existing wall structure. In addition to protecting against the impact of condensation, the Pavadentro boards provide the highest levels of thermal and acoustic insulation and excellent environmental credentials.

25 June 2008 ShawCor announces contract to provide pipe coating services for Gumusut-Kakap Deepwater Project

ShawCor Ltd. announced its subsidiary, Bredero Shaw, has received a contract with a value in excess of US$35m to provide pipeline coatings for Sabah Shell Petroleum Co. Ltd.'s (SSPC) Gumusut-Kakap Deepwater Project located in the South China Sea 120km offshore Sabah. The contract has been awarded to Bredero Shaw and the project will be executed at the Bredero Shaw facility in Kuantan, Malaysia.

25 June 2008 Aspen Aerogels raises US$37m in funding

Aspen Aerogels has wrapped up a US$37m fourth round of funding. The round was led by Arcapita Ventures and joined by existing investors Lehman Brothers Venture Partners Reservoir Capital Group and RockPort Capital Partners. Its patented aerogels, silica-based jelly-like materials, have a wide range of insulating applications in the apparel, building, transport and energy markets. The firm sells them in fabricated packages and easy-to-apply blankets that it claims are 2-8 times more effective than rival products.

Aerogels are extremely effective insulators — blocking most forms of thermal transfer and minimising heat loss — which makes them invaluable in the construction of energy-efficient buildings. The same technology can be carried over to apparel and footwear, where it can easily be integrated into boots, jackets and other outdoor gear. Aspen’s aerogels are light, thin, waterproof and highly resistant under stress conditions. The company has worked with major corporations like Samsung, Exxon Mobil, Boeing and British Gas. It had previously raised over US$61m.

24 June 2008 Serious Materials scoops up Alpen Windows

Serious Materials, one of the better-funded green building startups with its recent round of $50 million in the bank, has bought up an energy-efficient window manufacturer called Alpen Windows. Started as Quiet Solution, a maker of highly soundproofed building materials, Serious moved more aggressively into green building in 2007. It has several lines of insulating or environmentally-friendly wall material. The acquisition, for an undisclosed price, should help the Serious Materials round out its offerings. Alpen windows are advertised as being better than Energy Star-labeled products, with extremely good thermal insulation properties.

21 June 2008 Australian government promotes green construction methods

The Australian government has launched three publications designed to help Canberrans build and renovate their homes with an eye to the environment. The brochures give advice on solar technology, insulation and building materials that are environmentally sustainable. Planning Minister Andrew Barr says there is also a practical check list of things to look for when buying a home. "So things like the aspect of the house, if it faces north for example," he said.

"The sorts of insulation that will work, the better heating and cooling options that are available for houses, lighting and water supply issues, and so there is quite detailed information in each of the guides to assist consumers. Depending on whether you are looking to build a new home or renovate one there are lists of very practical things you can do to improve the environmental efficiency of your house and then also save yourself a lot of money on heating and cooling and other energy costs."

19 June 2008 New silent board expands the UK's widest range of acoustic products and solutions

The UK’s leading acoustic insulation solutions provider has expanded its extensive range of acoustic insulation products and solutions with the introduction of a new acoustic wall insulation board. JCW Silent Board has been added to the JC Wilkins’ range and offers a proven way to dramatically reduce sound transmission through wall structures. JCW Silent Board can be applied quickly and easily to lightweight wall structures or existing plasterboard. When used with JCW Acoustic Sealant around the perimeter its ability to meet Part E of the Building regulations makes it an ideal way to upgrade walls in ‘noisy neighbour situations’ or walls which have failed pre-completion acoustic testing.

Fire retardant and made from 100% recycled materials, JCW Silent Board is also recyclable itself and is ideal for both new-build and refurbishment projects. A 15mm acoustic layer laminated to a 12.5mm acoustic board creates a slim, 27.5mm profile which is just half that of most other systems. This allows JCW Silent Board to take up minimal room yet still provide outstanding insulation performance, and it is also compatible with any type of decorative finish. UKAS-accredited laboratory and site tests data is available from JC Wilkins to illustrate the outstanding acoustic insulation performance of JCW Silent Board.

The JC Wilkins range of acoustic products and solutions is the widest in the UK. It includes everything from leveling pods, acoustic decks and battens to acoustic underlays, matting, tiles and isolating strips. All products are supported by a rapid 24-hour nationwide delivery service, plus a full spectrum of technical expertise and advice which is available from JC Wilkins.

10 June 2008 Birmingham Airport extension will cost £12m in noise insulation

Birmingham International Airport’s runway extension will trigger a bill of at least £12m on noise insulation for homes and schools because of increased air traffic.
Without the multi-million pound investment, up to 1800 residents living near the airport would be "seriously annoyed" by the noise, according to a new health impact report. And the concentration levels and educational success of children attending nearby schools would also be adversely affected unless proper insulation is provided.

Joe Kelly, the airport’s acting managing director, said: "We expect the overall costs of environmental mitigation attributable to the runway extension will be around 10% of the entire project - a significant element. This includes the capital costs of environmental mitigation plus ongoing costs of sound insulation."

Total costs of the project, which would see the runway extended by 405m towards Bickenhill and Hampton-in-Arden, will be around £120m. The development is expected to see up to 17,000 extra flights a year and create more than 2000 jobs.

6 June 2008 Saint-Gobain buys controlling 43.64% of Japanese insulation company MAG

Saint-Gobain said it is buying a 43.64% stake in Japanese glass wool manufacturer company MAG from Nippon Sheet Glass for 1.75bn yen.

Following completion of the transaction, Saint-Gobain will have operational control over MAG and be the company's joint-largest shareholder together with Taiheiyo Cement. MAG posted sales of 20.21bn yen in 2007 and has about 440 employees, the French construction materials company said in a statement.

6 June 2008 Habitat for Humanity selects Spray Foam Insulation in California

Spray Foam Energy Solutions, a California based Spray Foam Insulation contractor, and Habit for Humanity have teamed up on a five home project in California to extend the benefits of Spray Foam Insulations considerable energy efficiency and increased interior comfort to Habitat homeowners.

Numerous people involved with Habitat for Humanity were present during the two day installation process and we had the opportunity to answer many questions and explain how much more energy efficient, quiet, healthy and comfortable homes are when Spray Foam Insulation is installed. Everyone involved was thrilled to see the installation and learn about long term benefits spray foam add to the homes.

The future homeowners were equally excited to learn that the energy costs for the home would remain significantly lower for the life of the home and be more comfortable to live in at the same time.

5 June 2008 Kingspan lead the way at awards

Kingspan Insulation led the way at the annual Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce Awards, held at Eastnor Castle. The Pembridge-based company scooped the coveted title of Business of the Year.

The firm is the world’s leading manufacturer of rigid phenolic and rigid urethane insulation and specialises in the solution of insulation problems, offering one of the widest ranges of insulants available from any UK manufacturer. 2008 saw a record-breaking number of entries, doubling last year's tally.

5 June 2008 Tai Tokerau insulation project announced

An insulation project for 4000 houses has been announced in Kaitaia, New Zealand. The five year project promises warmer, drier and healthier homes. It is being jointly funded by a number of NZ Government agencies, the ASB Trust and Northland power companies.

Tai Tokerau healthy homes group chairman Chris Farrelly says all low income Northland people who live in houses built before 1978 will be eligible. He says research by the Wellington School of Medicine has shown that links between housing and health are indisputable.

The project will cost about NZ$1.8m in its first year and run for five years.

4 June 2008 LaPolla signs definitive agreement to acquire AirTight

LaPolla Industries, Inc., a leading national manufacturer and supplier of spray foam and coatings designed to reduce energy consumption in the commercial and residential markets, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of AirTight Marketing & Distribution, Inc. ('AirTight').

Based in Rutledge, Georgia, AirTight is one of the southeast's leading spray foam insulation distributors. AirTight's staff has decades of experience in the insulation market and offers one of the top turn-key start-up and training programs in the United States.

Financial terms of the AirTight transaction were not released. The transaction is subject to completion of customary and ordinary due diligence and closing on 1 July 2008.

4 June 2008 UK Govt. grants for home insulation

Fylde Low Waste and Energy (FLoWE) and Fylde Borough Council are backing the Home Carbon Saver scheme operated by Energy Services which is committed to helping improve the energy efficiency of all private properties in the Central and Park Wards of the Fylde Borough area.

FLoWE supports the UK Government’s initiative to drive down the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2010 and has sourced substantial funding to help all residents to do the same. As part of the scheme, Home Carbon Saver offers householders grant funded discounts on loft and cavity wall insulation. Residents of Fylde may also qualify for fully funded insulation work depending on individual circumstances.

Over the next few weeks Energy Services, an external organization, will be sending surveyors some parts of the Fylde to deliver letters to households. They will then go door to door with free energy saving advice and confirm what residents are entitled to under the scheme.

Andrew Loynd, Project Manager of FLoWE said “Most people have some loft insulation but in the majority of cases it is not as much as there should be. The Energy Saving Trust recommends a depth of loft insulation of 270mm.

“This project is on the back of funding that all utility companies have to provide to improve domestic energy efficiency. Under this funding anyone is able to get some form of support (normally a reduction in the cost of installation) while anyone who is over 70 or on certain benefits can obtain free insulation”

3 June 2008 Water-based insulation adhesive eco friendly

Design Polymerics, a manufacturer of sealants, adhesives and mastics for the HVAC and insulation industries, now offers DP 3000 water-based insulation adhesive. DP 3000 is a LEED compliant, 0 VOC, fast tack insulation adhesive for the commercial and residential hvacr applications. DP 3000 is supplied in a convenient pressurized canister spray system which is both portable and cost effective. It yield 8000 square feet of coverage from a single canister. DP 3000 eliminates the flammability and VOC issues commonly associated with solvent-based canister spray systems and solvent-based adhesives in general.

2 June 2008 Major expansion plan set to triple manufacturer's production capacity within five years

Rubber World Industries (RWI), the leading manufacturer of closed-cell rubber insulation 'Gulf-O-flex' in the Gulf and South East Asia and part of the international business conglomerate, the Memon Group of Companies, announced that it has invested AED30m in the construction of a new production facility as part of its expansion plans for 2008.

The new plant is expected to triple the manufacturer's production capacity within a five-year period to address the surging demand for rubber insulation products amidst the current construction boom in the region.

At present, the manufacturer holds 80% of the Middle East rubber insulation market and has recorded over AED10m in sales revenues in 2007. The company is also currently supplying 75% of the region's requirements for rubber insulation pipes and sheets, and other rubber-derived products. By reinforcing its current production capacity, RWI is gearing up to address the rapid growth in demand for rubber products, which is forecasted to increase by 4% annually to reach 26.5Mt by 2011, in addition to the soaring orders from developers within the burgeoning property development market in the region.

1 June 2008 Shuttle Discovery loses chunks of foam

Five thin pieces of insulating foam broke off the external fuel tank during the launch of the shuttle Discovery, but they are not believed to have damaged the shuttle. "We saw maybe five pieces of foam break away. We don't consider this a big thing," Bill Gerstenmeier, NASA associate administrator for space operations said. "They were late in the ascent. They can't build up enough velocity that they can hit the orbiter and cause any significant damage," he said. Gerstenmeier said the pieces broke off later that the first two minutes and 15 seconds of the flight, when officials of the US space agency say the danger to the shuttle from shedding insulation foam is greatest.

Chunks of foam from the massive external fuel tank damaged the insulation tiles on the Columbia shuttle during its January 2003 launch, leading to its tragic break-up during re-entry on 1 February 2003, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

Gerstenmeier said that the first piece to break off in the shuttle's launch on 31 May 2008, several seconds past the danger period did not strike the shuttle, and that later ones may have hit but did not have enough velocity to harm the shuttle. "They may be large in size but they appear to be lightweight," he said. Gerstenmeier said that otherwise the launch of Discovery, carrying the main pressure module of Japan's Kibo space station, along with one Japanese and six American astronauts, was near perfect. "What a great day for the launch, things were really smooth," he said.

30 May 2008 Maze-like material keeps buildings cool

Nano-sculpted materials could be key to improving the efficiency of buildings, if a company called Industrial Nanotech has its way. A few weeks ago saw the mysterious 'nano goop' used by solar start-up Sunrgi, but this time the goop is described in a tad more detail. Industrial Nanotech’s Nansulate is an insulating material that controls thermal conduction by passing it through a dense network of nanoparticles that stops heat transfer in its tracks. It’s a spray-on material, rather like paint, and can be applied to any surface as a finish.

First question: Does it work? The company’s web site describes a homeowner in Dallas who attempted to find out. This fellow wanted to insulate his attic against the summertime heat: When outside temperatures climbed to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the attic could reach 143deg F. A crew of workmen coated the attic with Nansulate and found that on a 103deg F day, the temperature inside the attic fell to 101 F. That’s a dramatic drop in heat transfer into the attic, making it also easier to keep the rest of the house cool and comfortable.

Second question: Is it cheap enough? Industrial Nanotech isn’t sure. Even in these heady green times, energy savings and cost reductions must march in lockstep. “While cost savings will vary according to application, our residential customers regularly report experiencing energy savings between 20% to 40%,” reads a recent press release.

The company and its insulation products have been around for a few years, and they’ve yet to gain real momentum. In April 2008, however, the European Union certified that the company’s coatings meet EU building codes, which are stringent. And a year earlier, the company received a significant boost when the Brazilian oil and gas giant Petrobras ordered 50,000 gallons of a Nansulate coating for a pipeline project. Perhaps with further orders from large industrial customers, the company will be able to achieve some economies of scale and improve its reach into residential and commercial building markets.

The nano part of Nansulate is an engineered particle called hydro-NM-oxide. As the company explains it, the internal architecture of the material is a complex, three-dimensional network of those tiny particles, forming a maze for heat to travel through. Another company, Nanopore, describes its thermal insulation material similarly, attributing the insulating properties to the miniscule size and unique arrangement of the material’s pores and the tiny connections between nanoparticles within the material.

Yet another nanotech approach to insulation uses aerogels, which can be made to be highly porous, consist of chains of nanoscale particles that create a tangle of fibres and can also perform well as barriers.

22 May 2008 Owens Corning pursuing LEED certification of foam insulation facility

Owens Corning announced that it has registered with the US Green Building Council to pursue a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) New Construction (NC) certification for its Gresham (Oregon) foam insulation facility. The Gresham facility would join the company’s Toledo, Ohio world headquarters in being LEED certified.

"Our decision to pursue LEED certification of the Gresham facility reflects our strong commitment to sustainability," said Kim Howard, vice president and general manager, foam insulation. "As a leader in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction, it’s important that we have a building in Gresham that is on the forefront of sustainable construction."

21 May 2008 Cabot Aerogel to provide insulation for Gulf of Mexico pipeline

Cabot Aerogel's insulating Nanogel aerogel Compression Pack has been chosen to line a 60km subsea oil pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico, operated by Energy Resource Technology. The pipeline is expected to grab accolades as the longest aerogel-insulated pipeline. Light and well-insulating, aerogels are also thought of as 'frozen smoke.'

Cabot Aerogel is a business unit of Boston-based materials company Cabot Corp. Cabot has been producing Nanogel in a manufacturing facility located near Frankfurt, Germany, since 2003. Energy Resource Technology is a wholly owned subsidiary of Helix Energy Solutions Group of Houston.

19 May 2008 Zotek foams awarded FM Global 4910 approval

Zotefoams Inc., one of the world's leading manufacturer of cross-linked block foams, has announced that its ZOTEK F 42 HT LS PVDF foam line has been awarded FM Global 4910 clean-room materials flammability test approval. It is believed that ZOTEK F 42 HT LS is the first foam insulation to meet the standards of this rigorous test protocol.
ZOTEK F 42 HT LS is a high-temperature foam recommended for use in a variety of sealing and insulation applications in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical and chemical-processing industries where exceptionally low smoke release and flame propagation is required in the event of fire.

It can be used over a wide temperature range (-48°C to 155°C), during which the material maintains its ductility and resilience. ZOTEK F 42 HT LS also exhibits exceptionally low out-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under Semiconductor Standards for clean rooms. This purity is based on Zotefoams' manufacturing process that expands engineering resins, such as ultra-pure Kynar PVDF resins, into high-performance foams through the use of only inert nitrogen gas, heat and pressure. ZOTEK F line of foams also show excellent chemical and UV resistance, primarily due to the base properties of Kynar PVDF polymers that are used in harsh chemical environments, and UV-resistant coatings for external structures. ZOTEK F foams exhibit only slight reduction in mechanical properties and show color retention even after long exposure to UV light.

A successful application of ZOTEK F 42 HT LS in clean environments is T-Tubes, an advanced insulation system that has been specifically developed for operator protection on hot steam lines in the Biotech industry. The closed-cell nature of ZOTEK F 42 HT LS allows for cutting and installing in clean environments without particulating. Combined with the sealed surface of the thermally molded T-Tubes, ZOTEK F 42 HT LS provides moisture and mold-growth resistance, and removes the need for the cumbersome jacketing that is used in other pipe-insulation systems. The insulation system is easy to install with custom-moulded fittings such as elbows, Ts and valve covers with an overlapping self-adherent tape.

18 May 2008 New insulation business formed

Mark Roningen, Ken Traynor and Stace Gendreau have formed Insulation Systems to deliver closed cell polyurethane insulation to the Bismarck-Mandan community in the US. Insulation Systems offers both closed cell spray polyurethane insulation as well as blown-in cellulose products. Closed cell products with an R-value twice that of standard insulation per inch and none of the mould, water or allergen issues associated with fibreglass or open cell products affords the homeowner a means to insulate their home.

15 May 2008 NZ$53m in the budget for state house insulation

More than NZ$50m is going to be spent insulating state houses, New Zealand's Green Party announced today. The project is a budget bid by the Greens under their Healthy Homes policy. Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said that after five years every state house would be insulated. That is double the current rate of progress for existing insulation programmes.

"The Greens see this as an investment in the future health of New Zealanders," Ms Fitzsimons said. "We estimate that the country will recover this investment four-fold in 20 years in energy and health savings." Ms Fitzsimons said the $53.4m would be spent on the remaining 21,000 uninsulated state houses, with most of the work done in the first two years. "Research indicates that insulated homes use on average a fifth less energy than uninsulated homes," she said. "People report health improvements, including half the number of respiratory symptoms. Children in insulated houses had half the number of days off school."

Ms Fitzsimons said that as well as installing insulation, the project included draft-proofing windows, wraps for hot water cylinders, putting in energy efficient shower heads and lagging pipes. She did not think there would be problems finding people to do the work because it took only two weeks to train them.

Housing Minister Maryan Street said the funding would dramatically accelerate the existing programme. "Almost 12 homes a day will be insulated," she said. "There is mounting evidence linking poor housing conditions with negative health and social outcomes. Over half the people in state homes are under the age of 20, and 10% are over the age of 60." Ms Street said Housing New Zealand owned and maintained about 68,600 properties. Many were built before 1978, before insulation was mandatory.

15 May 2008 UK over-70s to get free home insulation

People aged over 70 are to be offered free home insulation as part of a UK-government-backed campaign to encourage action on climate change. Retailer B&Q said it would offer to install insulation for over 70s and those on benefits beginning with 700 employees this summer.

The pledge was among several made by business leaders at a summit this week to encourage consumer support for the 'Together' climate change campaign. The campaign said consumers could save up to three tonnes of carbon dioxide and up to UK£1,152 on household bills a year by choosing 'green' products.

It aims to help each UK household save 1t of carbon dioxide over the next two years. The initiative, launched last year by former prime minister Tony Blair, initially involved eight companies, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Royal & SunAlliance.

13 May 2008 NASA insulation wins award

The 2007 NASA Government Invention of the Year is a heat shield material slightly more dense than balsa wood that is designed to protect spacecraft during their fiery re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. The Lightweight Ceramic Ablator material (LCA) is a low-density material that weighs one-fifth as much as conventional heat shields, but can withstand temperatures up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to project engineers at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California. The material has a foundation made of fibres coated with a thin layer of organic polymeric resin. The resin, traditionally used as a bonding agent, creates a light, durable, heat-resistant shield.

"This material will play a key role in NASA's future space missions as we mount human and robotic missions to the moon, asteroids, Mars and throughout the solar system," said S. Pete Worden, Ames center director. "This is indeed an honor and I'm very proud of the Ames team that developed this critical technology."

Because of their durability and low-density, the LCA family of protective materials is expected to play a significant role in future NASA missions every time a spacecraft enters a planetary atmosphere. The materials quickly are becoming the industry standard for heat shields on commercial spacecraft. The invention may lead to the application of heat shields specially tailored for broader commercial and government applications.

NASA applied a type of this innovative heat shield material, the Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA), on the Stardust sample return capsule, which brought back to Earth the first comet particles and interstellar dust samples in January 2006. Stardust holds the record for the fastest Earth re-entry speed of any human-made object. PICA is planned for use as the heat shield on the new Orion crew vehicle and the Mars Science Laboratory mission. Other LCAs were used to protect the Mars rovers during their descent to the surface of the Red Planet.

12 May 2008 CertainTeed launches CertaSpray(TM) foam insulation

CertainTeed have launched CertaSpray(TM) foam insulation, a new polyurethane spray foam. CertaSpray creates an air seal and can be used in whole house and building applications or in combination with fibreglass insulation, particularly in hard to reach areas such as cathedral ceilings, knee walls and roof decks. By reducing air leakage, CertaSpray minimises hot and cold spots and provides outstanding comfort and indoor air quality by impeding the penetration of moisture and outdoor allergens.

"In expanding our product line into the rapidly growing spray foam segment, building professionals now have the freedom to choose from a wide variety of high-quality insulation products from a company and brand they trust," says Howard Deck, President of CertainTeed's Insulation Group. Consisting of a two-component foam insulation, CertaSpray is sprayed into a building cavity and quickly expands to fill every opening that can potentially leak air. The open-cell formula expands to create a soft, flexible insulation, and the closed-cell formula results in a hard, rigid consistency that provides added structural integrity to walls.

"Compared to other spray foam insulation products, CertaSpray sticks to surfaces and stays put, making roof deck and cathedral ceiling applications much easier and with less waste," says Mike Allen, a manager at Suncoast Insulators of Citrus County, Florida. "When adding CertaSpray insulation to existing houses, homeowners appreciate the absence of a strong odor, which, with other products, can linger for more than a week."

CertaSpray can be used in a wide variety of applications, including interior and exterior walls, cathedral ceilings, roof decks, stairways and around windows, doors, plumbing and recessed lighting. The product is only installed by CertainTeed qualified contractors in order to achieve the most rigorous quality standards and helps meet the requirements of an Energy Star® home.

"Since becoming a qualified CertaSpray contractor, we have helped more than 100 new homeowners ensure their home's energy efficiency through the use of CertaSpray insulation," added Allen. "Once they have seen how the product works and how tightly the insulation seals their home, they are absolutely thrilled that they made the investment."

9 May 2008 Borealis develops faster cross-linking of PE cable insulation

Borealis of Austria has introduced 'Visico FX' to speed up the manufacture of cable insulation from cross-linked polyethylene. According to the company, cross-linking is twice as fast as with conventional Visico grades and up to five times faster than with XLPE grafts. Rapid curing speeds up the production process and saves energy.

8 May 2008 Spray Foam Nation unveils online spray foam insulation resource - SprayFoamNation.com

An online resource for spray foam insulation, to help consumers with effective energy conservation, was recently unveiled by Spray Foam Nation. This is a complete virtual store offering quality spray foam supplies, guidance and information. The website is located at http://www.sprayfoamnation.com

7 May 2008 Isover helps with energy levels

Space and hot water heating accounts for almost 90% of a household’s energy costs but coincidentally 90% of that could be saved if the home was insulated to Passive House standards, according to Saint-Gobain Isover UK. Data in Isover’s new guide to planning and realising the Multi-Comfort building of the future shows the energy demands of a typical one-family house can be as low as 15kWh/m²a for a very low energy home while its CO2 emissions can be just 2kg/m²a.

At the other end of the spectrum, the energy demands for a home with completely insufficient thermal insulation can be as high as 300kWh/m²a with CO2 emissions of 60kg/m²a. A home like this could use as much as 30 litres of heating oil per m² of living space per year.

In between, a low-energy home could have energy demands of 40kWh/m²a and CO2 emissions of 10kg/m²a while a home with just insufficient thermal insulation (typically those built in the 1950s and 60s but ripe for renovation) up to 150kWh/m²a with CO2 emissions of 30kg/m²a.

Optimum building location and positioning of windows and doors as well as very high levels of insulation and a tight building envelope all help to reduce the energy consumption of a standard house built to current Building Regulations from Euro8/m² per year to Euro1/m² for a Multi-Comfort House.

'Built for the future – The Isover Multi-Comfort House' discusses the concept, advises on how to design and plan to it, and shows case studies of new-build and refurbished houses, apartments, offices and schools. It also details the sustainability of mineral glass wool insulation and is available from Isoverpr@saint-gobain.com.

6 May 2008 Thermore® introduces Rinnova® 100% recycled PET insulation

Milan-based Thermore® S.p.A., a manufacturer of thermal insulation for outerwear and related products, has introduced Rinnova® 100% insulation made from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibres derived from plastic bottles. According to the company, a typical jacket made using the insulation can save energy equivalent to that used by a 100-watt light bulb for 60 hours.

“Even after we introduced the original Rinnova back in 2005, which featured a 50% minimum recycled content, Thermore continued to further research and develop an insulation made completely from 100-percent recycled materials,” said Joe DiGirolamo, director of sales, North America. “Our development team was able to achieve the higher recycled content and soft hand our customers wanted, while still maintaining the functional aspects that make Thermore so appealing for cold weather products.”

Rinnova 100% will be offered in multiple weights for a variety of climatic conditions. There also will be two thickness options per weight, including High Loft for bulkier articles and Super Compact for form-fitting outerwear and gloves.

30 April 2008 Canadian insulation standard to rise for new homes and renovations

New homes are about become a little cozier as a result of changes to British Columbia's building code. Starting on 5 September 2008, the minimum standard for insulation in ceilings and attic space will rise to RSI 9.0 from RSI 7.7 for homes in northern and central British Columbia, according to information issued by the provincial government's office of housing and construction standards.
According to provincial government estimates, construction costs will rise from 0.3-1.3% depending on the location. Jim Wallace of Durawall Construction Ltd. said the figures appear accurate and may be closer to 0.3% for Prince George. Provincial government officials also estimate the additional cost will be offset by savings in energy costs over four to nine years.

30 April 2008 VFI Awarded Class I Rating for Spray Foam Insulation

Volatile Free, Inc. announced that as a result of ASTM E-84 testing by Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc., VFI has been awarded a Class I fire rating for its VFI-714 closed cell, 1.9lb. spray insulating foam. VFI-714 meets Energy Star standards, is environmentally safe and does not contain urea formaldehyde or VOCs.

29 April 2008 Berger Paints buys Bolix for US$38.6m

Berger Paints India today has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 100% shares of Bolix SA (Bolix), a leading provider of External Insulation Finishing System (EIFS) in Poland, from Advent International, a global private equity group. The acquisition will be made through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berger Paints India in Cyprus. The acquisition will be carried out at an estimated net purchase price of around US$38.6m. The purchase is conditional upon fulfillment of certain conditions precedent including clearance by the Polish Anti-Monopoly Office. The price is subject to usual adjustments at the time of completion of the transaction. Ernst and Young Private, India, were the financial advisors to Berger on the transaction.

28 April 2008 Better times ahead for thermal insulation in North America

Total North American demand for residential and commercial thermal insulation is estimated to be 374bn square feet at R-1 (abbreviated SFR) and valued at US$7.4bn in 2007, according to Principia Partners. This is down by 10% from 417bn SFR and down by 7% in value from US$7.9bn in 2006. Residential and commercial insulation is comprised primarily of blanket, loose fill, board and spray foam products, made from fibreglass, cellulose and foams and used primarily in walls, attics and floors to reduce thermal conductivity, minimise air infiltration, and in some applications provide acoustical benefits.

A new market study by Principia Partners provides a detailed look into the market for thermal insulation in the residential and commercial construction markets in North America, including current and forecast demand estimates as well material trends, energy codes and the latest promotional programmes.

Residential markets account for 231bn SFR valued at US$3.1bn in 2007. Residential volumes declined 18% from 2006 while value dropped 20% driven by a 25% decline in US housing starts. The primary insulating material in residential construction is fibreglass, representing an approximately 80% of volume and 70% value in this segment for 2007.

In 2007, commercial insulation demand represents 143bn SFR valued at US$4.2bn. While new residential construction in the US suffered its worst decline since 1980, the commercial market continued to grow at a rate of 7% during 2007. Thermal insulation used in commercial applications posted volume growth of 6.7% during this same time while value grew slightly less at 5.5% due primarily to lower pricing. Fibreglass insulation is also the predominant insulation type in commercial construction at just under 48% of total volume followed closely by rigid foam at 39% which is used more extensively in roof and wall insulation. Rigid foam was the largest market value category at US$2.5bn, or 59% of total commercial market value.

On the supply side, significant product volume and revenue are held by a few key players in certain segments. The top ten suppliers overall supply 87% of the volume and 83% of the value, over US$6bn in 2007. Owens Corning holds approximately 20% share of total insulation sales in North America, while Johns Manville and CertainTeed collectively account for a similar share. Smaller fibreglass insulation producers Knauf and Guardian make the top ten ranking. In other insulation types, US GreenFiber is the largest producer of cellulose insulation sold, while Dow is the leading supplier of foamed polystyrene. Atlas Roofing, Firestone Building Products, and Carlisle – primarily supplying commercial insulation – combine to round out the top ten suppliers in North America.

“The major decline in the U.S. residential construction over the past 2 years has impacted the insulation category, but demand from the commercial segment has helped buffer the impact. Overall, it’s a tough market but will improve with the economic and housing cycles going forward,” states John Pruett, Director of Marketing and New Business Development at Principia. Going forward over the next five years, Principia projects that overall demand will increase from 375bn SFR valued at US$7.4b in 2007 to 441bn SFR valued at US$8.7bn by 2012, or nearly 4% compounded average annual growth over this time period.

Principia’s study has analysed the drivers and trends of the residential and commercial insulation market by material type and segment, distribution channel, and region, and provides forecasts for the next five years. Results of the report will provide subscribers with critical market data and analyses essential for planning purposes.

18 April 2008 Bayer AG to buy Dutch insulation maker

Bayer AG said it will buy Resina Chemie BV, a Dutch maker of insulation foams, for an undisclosed amount to complement the polyurethane business of its Material Science division. Resina makes rigid polyurethane foams used in refrigeration and for construction, Bayer said in a statement. The transaction is subject to the approval of antitrust authorities, it added.

18 April 2008 BASF develops new energy saving technology

BASF has partnered with window system manufacturer Aluplast to create an energy saving solution for its glass fibre reinforced nanotechnology using Ultradur PBT High Speed resin. The performance resin is being utilised as a substitute for steel to improve thermal insulation in the Aluplast window profile. The new system is 60% lighter than previous ones and employs current processing technology. It also offers 20% increase in the U-value.

18 April 2008 Knauf to set up a gypsum drywall and thermal insulation plant in the UAE

Knauf has announced plans to set up a new manufacturing plant in the UAE. Once completed, the US$136m plant will produce building materials such as gypsum boards, metal studs, channels, joint compounds, drywall accessories, plasters and thermal insulation products for construction sites accross the UAE and the Middle East. The plant capacity will be approximately 40Mm2 of gypsum boards per year.

17 April 2008 Unifrax plans a US$20m Tonawanda expansion

Unifrax I LLC said that it plans to invest US$20m to expand its Tonawanda manufacturing plant, adding 50 new jobs.The board of directors of the Niagara Falls-based company approved the project, which will be done with a US$1.5m package of grants and tax credits from the state, including the New York Power Authority, as well as National Grid. The expansion work is to begin this year with completion targeted for 2009.

Unifrax, with three Western New York operations and an employment roll of 300, is a maker of ceramic fibre insulation products. The Tonawanda site employs 180 with the new positions to come in the next two years. In all, Unifrax has 14 manufacturing plants in the US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America and 1200 workers.

16 April 2008 Aspen Aerogels to insulate 21km subsea pipeline in Gulf of Mexico

Aspen Aerogels has been awarded a contract from Helix Energy Solutions Group to supply insulation for a 21km subsea pipe-in-pipe line in the Gulf of Mexico. The line will be located in the Anadarko Petroleum oil discovery on the Power Play deepwater prospect on Garden Banks Block 302.

Helix chose Aspen Aerogels' Spaceloft insulation because it offers the lowest thermal conductivity while being much thinner than other pipe insulations. In a pipe-in-pipe line, this means the outer pipe can be smaller, saving substantially on steel weight and cost. Spaceloft comes in reinforced, flexible blanket form, which greatly simplifies installation. Helix will install the Spaceloft at its spool-base in Port Arthur, Texas, beginning in 2008.

Harry Walkoff, Aspen Aerogels' vice president of sales and marketing, Hydrocarbon Processing Industries, said: "This is the first project among many in which we hope to support Helix, providing our proven insulation materials and delivering performance where it is needed. We are happy to contribute to Helix's success on this project."

31 March 2008 Owens Corning innovates new technology for foam insulating systems

Owens Corning, a world leader in building materials systems and glass fibre reinforcements, has announced that it has developed new blowing agent technology that will allow the company to manufacture its complete line of foam insulating systems in North America with more than a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and zero ozone depletion. Owens Corning has already begun the conversion of its foam insulation manufacturing facilities to the new blowing agent technology. The timetable will ensure the full conversion of its North American manufacturing footprint for foam insulation, inclusive of the start-up of a new facility in Gresham, Oregon, prior to the Montreal Protocol mandate of 2010.

"The development of this new technology and investment in the full conversion of our manufacturing facilities reflects our long-term commitment to our customers and the growth of their businesses," said Kim Howard, vice president and general manager, foam insulation. "We will continue to look for new technologies that better deliver insulating systems, save energy, protect the environment, and meet our customers' needs."

Owens Corning Pink Foamular(R) and Propink(R) Rigid Foam insulating systems save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing a durable exterior sheathing that is resistant to damage, provides an insulating value of R5 per inch, and is moisture resistant. Owens Corning foam insulation products are used in above and below grade applications in residential, commercial and industrial markets.

Frank O'Brien-Bernini, chief sustainability officer, said: "An investment in insulation manufacturing is a long-term investment in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction. Extruded polystyrene foam board is an important insulation product that meets the market need for efficient thermal performance combined with durability and moisture resistance. Simultaneous with this major technology conversion, we remain focused on further reducing energy intensity and emissions from our manufacturing operations around the world."

31 March 2008 Danish Rockwool ready to make acquisitions in 2008

Danish stone wool group Rockwool International A/S is prepared to make acquisitions already in 2008 as part of its growth strategy, CEO Eelco van Heel said an investor meeting. The group is currently looking for possible acquisition targets as it has both the financial and managerial potential, van Heel said. A large part of the group's ongoing capacity expansion projects are close to be completed and Rockwool could make acquisitions in order to expand further, the chief executive said.

In its financial statement for 2007, released on 12 March, 2008, Rockwool reported a 21% year-on-year rise in turnover to Euro1.875bn (US$2.91bn). The group's net profit more than doubled to Euro263.6m (US$410.8m). Rockwool's sales are expected to benefit from the rising awareness of climate issues and focus on carbon dioxide emissions, since insulation is an effective way to reduce those emissions, van Heel said, adding that the group's biggest rivals on that front would be the producers of renewable energy.

For 2008 Rockwool expects a turnover on par with the previous year and a net profit of some Euro174.3m (US$271.6m). The group's investments are planned to be approximately Euro268m (US$418m).

31 March 2008 BASF opens window on efficiency

BASF has partnered with window system manufacturer Aluplast to create an energy saving solution for its glass fibre reinforced nano-technology using Ultradur PBT High Speed resin. The performance resin is being utilised as a substitute for steel to improve thermal insulation in the Aluplast window profile. The new system is 60% lighter than previous ones and employs current processing technology. It also offers a 20% increase in the U-value.