Polyurethane: A key contribution to resource and energy efficiency

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Angela McCormick
6 years ago
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1 Polyurethane: A key contribution to resource and energy efficiency

2 The slim profile of high-performance polyurethane insulation materials in façades and flat roofs gives architects a great deal of design freedom by contributing to the graceful appeal and pleasing appearance of a building. (Picture: Kingspan) Sustainability in practice Buildings are the biggest source of CO 2 emissions and account for over a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, 40 percent of the world s energy is consumed in buildings. So reducing emissions from buildings is crucial in combating climate change and conserving limited resources. One of the most efficient and safest insulating materials is polyurethane, which Covestro invented over 75 years ago. By insulating buildings with highly efficient polyurethane, we can reduce energy losses. Energy efficiency is one key factor in sustainability, another is resource efficiency, e.g. reducing our consumption of fossile fuels, especially oil, and hence our dependence on this finite and mostly imported resource. Covestro addresses the sustainability issue through environmentally friendly solutions to increase energy and resource efficiency, e.g. through improvements in the global cold chain. Currently more than a third of the world s food supplies are thrown away because of inadequacies in distribution or storage. Obviously there is room for improvement. A more efficient and economical cold chain would help, and polyurethane products make that possible. The outcome would be economic benefits throughout the food chain, but in particular to farmers in developing countries, and improved living standards for hundreds of millions of people all over the world. Find out more about how polyurethane contributes to resource and energy efficiency in this flyer.

Covestro House of the Future in Bottrop city center global model for building modernization This House of Future can serve as a model for the many commercial properties in Germany and elsewhere that

3 Covestro House of the Future in Bottrop city center global model for building modernization This House of Future can serve as a model for the many commercial properties in Germany and elsewhere that have not yet been energetically refurbished. The fact is that professionally executed refurbishment and state-of-the-art building technology can help reduce a building s energy consumption by up to 80%. These business premises in Bottrop city center, which are over 50 years old, were transformed into a Plus Energy House through a synergetic combination of highly effective products and solutions based on a customized refurbishment concept. For roughly the same floor space the energy consumption has been reduced by almost three quarters, and the energy still required, which is relatively little, is being easily met from environment-friendly renewable sources. Polyurethane a positive lifecycle balance One of the most efficient insulation materials Polyurethane rigid foam insulates so well because of its low thermal conductivity. The gas enclosed in the foam pores further enhances the insulation performance. For many applications today, the gas is pentane. Its thermal conductivity is half that of air. Polyurethane s efficiency as an insulation material also makes thinner insulating layers possible than with other materials. This creates more interior living or working space for a given building area, which is a big advantage when insulating older buildings. Polyurethane is also an extremely durable insulating material since it is moisture-resistant, temperatureresistant and chemically stable, while displaying a high degree of aging resistance. Last but not least, polyurethane has an outstanding energy balance. When used to insulate a building, polyurethane saves over 70 times more energy during its lifecycle than was needed to manufacture it. In other words, polyurethane-based insulation solutions offer great potential for a more far-reaching implementation of energy efficiency plans like e.g. the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive or the U.S. EPA National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency at national level. Good fire protection performance There are many misconceptions about polyurethane as an insulation material. One is that it represents a fire hazard. But the facts tell a very different story: polyurethane is thermally stable, does not melt, drip or smolder, and only suffers surface charring. This represents a crucial advantage over other insulants. Through the inclusion of flame retardants rigid polyurethane foam achieves a low or normal flammability classification in accordance with EU standards. If polyurethane forms an integral part of a façade system, its flammability performance is similar to that of traditional mineral wool insulation material. As a result, the use of polyurethane as a fire-protection barrier is permitted in Germany, for example, whereas polystyrene is not. Improved cold chains Improvements in the cold chain that takes food from field to fork would significantly reduce the enormous quantities that end up simply rotting away. Covestro believes that a more efficient and economical cold chain is one of the key issues for sustainable development, particularly in the world s poorer countries. Insulation thickness for U-value W/(m 2 K) insulation only POLYURETHANE 100 mm Expanded polystyrene graphite 133 mm Expanded polystyrene 146 mm Extruded polystyrene 150 mm Mineral wool 154 mm Wood wool 167 mm

Recycling gains There s no better use for oil than to save oil.

materials and ultimately in the production of everyday objects such as mattresses.

4 Recycling gains There s no better use for oil than to save oil. When oil-based polyurethane is used to insulate buildings and save heating oil, its energy balance is extremely positive in that over 70 times more energy is saved during polyurethane s lifetime than was used in its manufacturing. One prime example is a pilot project undertaken by Covestro and RWE in which CO 2 extracted from the flue gas of a brown coal power station is being used in the manufacture of polyurethan raw materials and ultimately in the production of everyday objects such as mattresses. But although polyurethane insulation materials are largely unaffected by the ageing process and can be used to a ripe old age, their recycling is already on the political agenda, as EU 2020 shows. The fact is that polyurethane can be effectively disposed of by incineration. Thermal recycling is a particularly sensible solution since it releases the energy bound up in the polyurethane. Besides, the uncontaminated remains of polyurethane insulation material can also be used to make highly moisture-resistant pressed panels, e.g. in manufacturing prefabricated dormers, and recycled polyurethane powder as a binder to absorb oil spills. The diagram below illustrates Covestro s sustainability approach: Energy-efficient production processes, long-lasting applications and use phases and the development of new options for closed material cycles. Sustainability Closing the Cycles Oil-based Fossile Materials Energy recovery New products CO 2 usage Bio-based Renewable Energy Thermal recovery Mechan. recycling Chem. recycling Raw materials Usage phase Production Application Products PU processing Learning from nature: Up to now, the components used to manufacture plastics were mainly oil-based. By using carbon dioxide instead, it would be possible to reduce our dependence on oil and, at the same time, absorb some of this climate killer.

Polyurethane foam for insulating roofs, ceilings, façades, interior walls and window profiles Polyurethane coatings and adhesives for floors, parquets and wooden window frames A wide range of very

participates in various energy-efficient building initiatives in which polyurethane products play a key role.

5 Polyurethane foam for insulating roofs, ceilings, façades, interior walls and window profiles Polyurethane coatings and adhesives for floors, parquets and wooden window frames A wide range of very different applications for polyurethane in buildings The benefits of polyurethane insulation We walk the talk Covestro not only manufactures the raw materials for polyurethane, it also proactively participates in various energy-efficient building initiatives in which polyurethane products play a key role. Covestro enables decision-makers to implement sustainable, environmentally friendly and profitable building projects and the goals are clear: save energy, cut greenhouse gas emissions, increase comfort and reduce lifecycle costs. Together with partners Covestro has already proved what progress can be made in constructing energyefficient residential, industrial, office and retail buildings in Germany, Belgium, China, India and the USA. In Germany Covestro is also a member of Innovation City Ruhr, where it is sponsoring the energy-related rehabilitation of a commercial building in Bottrop. On the EU level Covestro is member of PU Europe and supports the Renovate Europe campaign of EuroACE. High insulating performance Of all conventional insulating materials, today polyurethane offers the highest insulating performance. More living space Polyurethane as an insulating material permits a thinner insulating layer than other materials. High aging durability Polyurethane is mechanically durable, moisture resistant, temperature resistant and chemically stable. Great versatility Rigid polyurethane panels can be cut to any size using simple tools. Outstanding energy balance Viewed over its entire life cycle, polyurethane displays an excellent energy balance. Good fire protection performance Polyurethane is thermally stable, does not melt, drip or smolder, and only suffers surface charring. Renovation and new buildings Broad range of applications in these key areas.

6 Promoting a dialog on resource and energy efficiency Covestro is keen to talk to politicians and concerned individuals throughout the world. After all, polyurethane not only contributes to resource and energy efficiency but also creates jobs and wealth. According to ISOPA figures, the European polyurethane industry employs more than 817,000 people and generates a market value of over 125 billion. For more information about polyurethane, simply contact: Covestro Deutschland AG Business Unit Polyurethane Leverkusen Germany pur@covestro.com This information and our technical advice whether verbal, in writing or by ways of trial are given in good faith but without warranty, and this also applies where proprietary rights of third parties are involved. The information is provided by Covestro without assumption of any liability. If any of the above mentioned regulations change after the date of declaration, this declaration is no longer valid. Covestro will strive to keep this information up-todate. Our advice does not release you from the obligation to verify the information provided especially that contained in our safety data and technical information sheets, to check for updates of any information provided by us and to test our products as to their suitability for the intended processes and uses. The application, use and processing of our products and the products manufactured by you on the basis of our technical advice are beyond our control and, therefore, entirely your own responsibility. Our products are sold in accordance with the current version of our General Conditions of Sale and Delivery. covestro.com Edition: Order-No.: MS Printed in Germany

Custom polyurethane foams: Uniquely versatile

Custom polyurethane foams: Uniquely versatile Custom polyurethane foams: Uniquely versatile Uniquely versatile No other foam system can rival polyurethane (PU) foams in terms of the variety of grades and