HFOs: New Nature Friendly Blowing Agents
Jun 06, 2021
Marcel LapierreA greener future is around the corner in the construction field. Construction professionals who are environment-friendly now have a new ecological alternative with hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs). Those new products replace the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which were accelerating global warming. Isolation Majeau presents to you this new agent that is found in the blown polyurethane WALLTITE v.5 and HEATLOK Soya which meet the Paris, Kyoto and Montreal protocols requirements.
Blowing agents are small gas bubbles inside the insulator. It’s with the help of those chemical products that the insulator will transform into foam. They also help slow down heat movement. Those are essential ingredients since they are the ones that bring the insulating properties to the foams. The blowing agents are found in rigid board and sprayed insulation such as the spray foam from BASF and Huntsman.
The HFO gases replace the HFC. They have the same functionalities, and have similar performances. The difference lies in the molecular level. Indeed, the HFO molecules contain at least one carbon-carbon link. Those molecules are then very reactive in the atmosphere, which reduces their life span, making their impact on global warming very low. In fact, their Global Warming Potential is less than 1, which is 99,9% lower than traditional blowing agents.
They are:
– Nontoxic
– Without danger to the ozone layer
– Non-flammable
– Not considered as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
– Low conductive
First of all, an insulating panel made with HFO has a 10% to 15% better energetic performance than the one made with HFC. Two inches of spray foam WALLTITE v.5 and HEATLOK Soya has an average R-value of 6 per inch, according to the CAN/ULC S770-09 norm.
With the help of hydrofluoroolefins, the spraying of polyurethane foam made with successive two-inch layers can reach eight inches in one day, according to BASF and Huntsman manufacturers.
Not all insulators use chemical blowing agents. For example, polystyrene is blown with a water base. It’s more ecological, but its R-value is lower.
Canada is ahead of the United States by forcing the blown polyurethane manufacturers to use new HFO blowing agents since January 1st 2021. According to Ecohabitation, the HFC should be banned in the United States in two or three years from now.
This means an ecological choice for you and your family because the GREENGUARD certification identifies the products and the materials found inside that emit the least amount of volatile organic compounds and particles in order to increase indoor air quality.
If you have any questions on the use of blowing agents, our experts will gladly help you.
Marcel Lapierre is president of Isolation Majeau et frère. He worked previously for more than 18 years in plastics and other major industries as a plant manager. Marcel went on to found his own consulting firm specializing in business development and process improvement.
Marcel has spearheaded numerous business development initiatives at Isolation Majeau since 2011, including deployment of the company’s new website and management of its social media presence. With his extensive experience in corporate management, he has wasted no time making improvements to business processes with a focus on efficiency and outstanding customer service.
