Global Warming Potential of Neopor® Insulation
Fusion’s EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) insulation has ZERO Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), as the process contains no CFC’s or HCFC’s and the blowing agent is Pentane. The GWP of EPS is less than 5. The blowing agent, Pentane, has zero GWP.
GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL OF NEOPOR - Expanded POLYSTYRENE Global Warming Potential (GWP) measures the total energy absorbed by 1 kg of released gas over a fixed period of time relative to CO₂ which is given a GWP of 1.0. GWP is a relative scale and must be calculated over a specific time interval. The Neopor® EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) insulation that Fusion mould into their light gauge steel frame external wall panels is produced in its raw product form by BASF. Fusion expand and fuse the raw product into the final Expanded polystyrene bead product within the light steel frame panel. The blowing agent used by BASF in Neopor® is a hydrocarbon called Pentane. A small amount of pentane gas is dissolved in the Neopor® base material, which is then Expanded under the action of heat supplied by steam to approximately forty times it’s original volume. The beads then bond to their neighbour to form a consolidated product. Pentane is present in petroleum and is also continuously formed and decomposed in nature by plant and animal life. Pentane is decomposed in the atmosphere by a photochemical reaction and under the action of solar radiation. Pentane decomposition products are absorbed by water and soil, where they are metabolized to carbon dioxide and water by plants, bacteria and microorganisms. The quantity of CO₂ generated by the breakdown of Pentane used in the production of EPS is insignificant when compared to the greenhouse gas emissions saved as a result of Neopor®’s insulating efficiency. No chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrogenated chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are used to manufacture Neopor®. As a consequence Neopor® has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). BASF have provided Fusion with written confirmation that the OPD of Neopor® is zero and the GWP of Neopor® is <5 (Appendix 1).
NEOPOR AND THE CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES In the Code for Sustainable Homes ‘Category 6: Pollution’ (Appendix 2) there is one credit available under the Global Warming Potential of insulants. Information noted to be acceptable (under the Code) to demonstrate compliance are manufacturers literature for any foamed insulation material or materials installed using blowing agents, confirming that all blowing agents used are either “deemed to satisfy” from Table 6.2 of the Code for Sustainable Homes (p 189) or have a GWP of less than 5.
Pentane is listed in Table 6.2 of the Code as a “deemed to satisfy” blowing agent and can therefore demonstrate compliance with the GWP requirements. Refer to the attached Table 6.2 (Appendix 2).
BASF have also confirmed that the GWP of Neopor is less than 5 (Appendix 1).
Please also find attached technical information on Neopor® and it’s parent product, Styropor (Appendix 3) which should be submitted to Code Assessors to confirm that Pentane is the blowing agent used in Neopor®.
Please also review the attached ‘EPS Briefing’ document prepared by the ‘EPS Group’, which gives a comprehensive overview of EPS for specifiers.
For further information on Fusion and the use of Neopor as a sustainable construction material please visit: www.fusionbuild.com www.eps.co.uk http://www.plasticsportal.net/wa/plasticsEU~en_GB/portal/show/content/products/foams/neo por_neu/neopor_home
Confirmation of Neopor â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s ODP and GWP from BASF
Appendix 1
Code for Sustainable Homes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Category 6: Pollution
Appendix 2
Code for Sustainable Homes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Category 6: Pollution
Appendix 2
Code for Sustainable Homes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Category 6: Pollution
Appendix 2
Code for Sustainable Homes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Category 6: Pollution
Appendix 2
Neopor & Styropor
Appendix 3
Neopor & Styropor
Appendix 3
Neopor & Styropor
Appendix 3
Neopor & Styropor
Appendix 3
Neopor & Styropor
Appendix 3