VATIS UPDATE Article

Honeywell, the United States, has announced the availability of next-generation solutions for thermal insulation that can help Middle Eastern countries meet energy efficiency requirements. To meet its Montreal Protocol commitments, the region’s foam industry is phasing out the use of polyurethane foam containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chemicals that are ozone-depleting and have high global-warming-potential (GWP).

Honeywell has commercialised a new hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent that is both non-ozone-depleting and also low GWP. Honeywell gathered regulators, contractors, foam insulation manufacturers, regional stakeholders and global industry experts in an exclusive workshop to review how environmentally preferable foam-blowing agents like Honeywell’s Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA) can help the Middle East meet its Montreal Protocol commitments and also energy efficiency requirements.

Solstice LBA is non-ozone-depleting and has a GWP of 1, which is 99.9 percent lower than the HCFC and HFC blowing agents it replaces, and equal to carbon dioxide (CO2). Solstice LBA is a critical ingredient in closed-cell foam used for spray foam, panels and appliances, allowing it to expand and providing much of its excellent insulating properties. It increases the thermal performance of conventionally-processed polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam in both continuous and discontinuous panel operations.