Building insulation products from Dow Building Solutions have achieved recertification by the Cradle to Cradle Certification program, a well-known, multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product’s safety and environmental impact. Originally certified and announced at IBS last year after rigorous analysis, STYROFOAM Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation and SAFETOUCH Fiberglass-Free Insulation both recertified at the SILVER level, while STYROFOAM SIS Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing, THERMAX (ci) Exterior Insulation, and STYROFOAM Brand Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation all achieved BASIC recertification.
“We feel that recertification of our building insulation products under a holistic analysis like Cradle to Cradle is a preferred approach to product certification and selection versus a single-attribute assessment,” said Scott Young, global director of energy efficiency and sustainability for Dow Building Solutions. “It provides a stronger indication of a product’s comparative value in helping to build a more energy-efficient world, and a clear signal of our commitment to meeting Dow’s 2015 Sustainability Goals, including energy efficiency, climate change, community success and local protection of human health and the environment.”
Unlike single-attribute eco-labels, the Cradle to Cradle approach takes a more comprehensive assessment in evaluating the sustainability attributes of a product, as well as the practices employed in manufacturing the product. Administered by MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC), a global sustainability consulting and product certification firm, the Cradle to Cradle Certification process evaluates products in five categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy use, water stewardship, and social responsibility.
New 50-year thermal limited warranty
Dow Building Solutions has announced that its next-generation STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation products of 1.5 inches thick or greater now have an unprecedented 50-year thermal limited warranty.
“The extraordinary properties of our proprietary, next-generation STYROFOAM XPS Insulation formulation enable us to maintain prior physical attributes while increasing long-term, sustainable R-value retention,” said Dale Winger, residential marketing manager, Dow Building Solutions. “The 50-year thermal limited warranty is a strong message to builders and homeowners that we stand behind a product designed to maintain high insulation performance throughout the life of the structure. This is particularly important as changes in consumer expectations and government policy raise the performance requirements, especially in below grade applications. Dow Building Solutions is proud to provide a broad portfolio of products to help builders meet and exceed the new demands of the marketplace and homeowners attain the next level of indoor comfort and energy savings.”
After more than 60 years of proven performance in the field, Dow’s next-generation STYROFOAM XPS Brand Insulation is produced without formaldehyde, and the new foaming agents contain no volatile organic compounds (VOC), HCFCs, CFCs, and have an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero. The new formulation has passed fire, industry-standard physical property, and application testing for both above-grade and below-grade applications. Building code qualifications are complete, and a U.S. ICC Evaluation Service Report ICC-ESR 2142 has been received.
The warranty stipulates that STYROFOAM XPS Brand Insulation products of 1.5 inches thick or greater manufactured after November 1, 2010, will retain 90 percent of its R-value over a 50-year period from the date of manufacture. In addition, STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation products of one to 1.5 inches thick now have a 30-year thermal limited warranty, which is double the previous 15-year warranty.
For more information about STYROFOAM XPS Insulation products and information about warranty terms and conditions, please visit: www.dowbuildingsolutions.com.