Big Bucks for Sustainability - In the 21st century, sources and management of energy have become global and national priorities. Countries around the world have included funding for energy-efficient technologies in their respective stimulus programs. In the U.S., $44 billion of the $787 billion stimulus package was earmarked for investments in sustainable energy, and $6.3 billion was slated for state and local governments to improve energy efficiency in existing structures.

The chemical industry has been doing its part in developing sustainable solutions for the future. A recent study by the global consultancy McKinsey & Company reported that for every unit of greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted by the chemical industry during production, more than two units of GHG are saved by society through the use of products and technologies enabled by chemistry. Building and construction is one of the areas where the innovative, energy-saving products of the chemical industry are strengthening the economy and advancing sustainable practices.
Across the globe, buildings are responsible for 40% of all energy use and GHG emissions. Proper insulation, often called the "low-hanging fruit" of energy efficiency, can go a long way towards reducing a building's energy use - and its carbon footprint. In fact, the same McKinsey study shows that building insulation foam in particular can save 233 units of GHG for every unit it emits.

Better Choice for Maximum Energy Savings

Polyurethanes offer many benefits to the building sector, such as superior thermal insulation, good mechanical properties compared to traditional insulation materials, durability and resistance to moisture. They are lightweight, yet offer structural strength and inherent adhesion to many substrates, including metal facings.

More than 90% of all products sold by the Dow Polyurethanes business to the building and construction market go into insulation in some form or another. Because of its high R-value - a measure of thermal performance - compared to other materials, polyurethane (PUR) rigid foam insulation has become a popular choice for builders who want maximum energy savings. The higher the R-value of a material, the more effective it is as an insulator.
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) rigid foam is another product within the polyurethanes family that delivers best-in-class insulation for buildings. The R-value of polyisocyanurate foam is one of the highest among rigid foams per inch of thickness. The higher R-value per inch also allows for a thinner foam board which in turn makes for thinner walls and roofs. Builders can use less insulation and gain more space within the building, while still accruing the highest energy efficiencies.

Better Fire-Resistance

Another challenge for builders besides energy efficiency is keeping pace with evolving building codes and regulations, especially regarding the fire performance of insulation materials.  With more companies seeking to grow their business internationally, compliance with a wide and differing range of building and energy codes, as well as fire and other regulations, becomes essential.

To enable the building sector to successfully navigate the maze of regulatory standards, polyurethanes manufacturers are responding with products that help achieve compliance. Last year, Dow introduced a family of products that expands architects' and contractors' options. Voratherm Polyisocyanurate is a customizable formulation for rigid foam used in the production of metal-faced insulation panels for commercial, residential and industrial buildings, as well as cold rooms, clean rooms and warehouses. The product meets the highest standards of insulation performance and achieves up to 60 minutes of fire resistance. When exposed to fire, it generates lower levels of smoke and decomposes at a higher temperature than conventional PU rigid foam.

A Long-Term Investment with Immediate Benefits

Even though construction for non-residential buildings has yet to recover from the global slump, "green" construction will defy the downward trend and is an area of growth. Sales of all insulation materials are projected to grow faster than gross domestic product in most regions due to the increasing cost of energy as well as government mandates to improve energy efficiency. With current tax credits and rebates for energy efficiency, there's more incentive than ever to invest in insulation upgrades.

Chemistry can help us solve the world's most pressing challenges, and offering high-performance insulation is just one example of science in the service of sustainability. Choosing better options today will produce immediate cost savings as well as long-term benefits to the health of our planet.