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GRANT AWARDED TO DEVELOP ENERGY EFFICIENT, OZONE-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES FOR INSULATION FOAM

Release Date: 10/15/2001
Contact Information:

Note to Correspondents
FOR RELEASE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2001

In its ongoing effort to promote energy efficiency and to support President Bush’s energy plan, EPA has awarded a $135,000 grant to the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance of Arlington, Va., to test new alternative blowing agents. These agents are used to produce different densities and bubble sizes of insulation foam in homes and commercial buildings.

Currently, spray polyurethane foam is made with a stratospheric ozone depleting chemical, HCFC-141b, which is being phased out of production in the United States in accord with the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol. The grant will assist the spray polyurethane foam industry to safely convert to alternative technologies that are economically viable and provide energy-efficient products for consumers. This grant will allow the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance to collect detailed technical information on field applications in various parts of the country. In addition, the Alliance will monitor physical properties and performance of insulation spray foam produced with new formulations. The information collected will allow chemical companies and spray foam applicators to more efficiently develop new formulations that do not deplete the ozone layer but do provide excellent thermal insulation value.

The spray polyurethane foam industry continues to search for more ozone-friendly products. EPA is working in partnership with associations like the Alliance to overcome technical challenges to ensure worker and consumer safety and continued product performance. The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance provides educational and technical resources to the industry. It also works on industry issues with government and organizations responsible for creating building codes and materiel standards.

For more information on EPA's stratospheric ozone protection program, including ongoing efforts to promote energy efficient technologies, go to: https://www.epa.gov/ozone/ and http://www.energystar.gov/.

For further technical information, contact Bella Maranion of EPA at 202-564-9749
( maranion.bella@epa.gov)


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