Sep 7 2005
Apex Foam Industries announces the introduction of their newest innovation for commercial and residential insulation applications, EARTHSEAL FOAM series, non-ozone depleating, Renewable resource-based SPF open-cell and closed cell foam insulations.
EARTHSEAL FOAM replaces the use of high priced petroleum-based polyols with those found in native, renewable resources: sugar cane, corn fructose and vegetable oils.
Building-insulation consumers have traditionally been offered three major products to choose from: Fiberglass (batts or blown), Cellulose and Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF). Fiberglass and cellulose have dominated the consumer home-insulation market in the past due to its low initial product and installation costs. These savings come at the cost of long-tern performance and payback. Spray Polyurethane offers higher overall performance and payback (the average home insulated with SPF can reduce HVAC requirements by a ton / 12,000 Btu's or more), but lacks widespread customer awareness.
Currently the biggest drawback to spray Polyurethane has been installed cost. By incorporating these renewable resource-based, proprietary, non-processed polyol technologies, EARTHSEAL FOAM series has reduced the material cost by as much as 35% over alternative products made with petroleum-based polyols. Until now the quest for a formula utilizing an agricultural-based, or renewable resource-based SPF has been elusive.
"EARTHSEAL FOAM .5 insulation is a significant development in materials technology for commercial and residential insulation, " said Jeffery Soto, Director of Marketing for Apex Foam Industries. "Our company's commitment is to provide a product that can help reduce the United States' dependence on petroleum products and boost the lagging domestic agricultural market, while offering the finest SPF, and help customers reduce their energy bills and create a healthier and more comfortable living environment.
"This combination of performance and affordability, " said Soto, "will allow more people to benefit from the advantages that this new foam insulation has to offer. Once you reduce a home's heating and cooling requirements by using EARTHSEAL FOAM .5 insulation it costs about the same as fiberglass batt insulation, but without the drawbacks."
EARTHSEAL FOAM .5 insulation offers the industry's highest R-value and K-factor per inch (light density / open-cell foam), has the lowest flame spread, and is virtually odorless. It cures quickly to provide an airtight seal, which reduces air penetration. The use of SPF insulation has proven to lower heating and cooling expenses up to 50 percent. EARTHSEAL FOAM .5 insulation also provides these kinds of energy efficiency gains and reduces the demand and use foreign oil, thus promoting the use of U.S. grown resources. Apex Foam and Coatings' EARTHSEAL FOAM .5, as it will be marketed to consumers, offers the original benefits of SPF. The utilization of an agricultural sucrose-base eliminates petroleum and other harmful byproducts.
"Using water-blown technology, makes it HCFC-141-free, which is good for the environment and ozone layer," said Soto. "EARTHSEAL FOAM .5 is the first fully sucrose-based, light-density, open-cell foam. It is virtually odorless and a beautiful crystal-white color that lasts long after the others have turned a muddy yellow. Everyone wins with EARTHSEAL FOAM .5"