| Styrotech/STYRO-STOP, Inc. selects BASF’s
EPS for ‘direct-to-deck’ insulation
Foams made from Styropor® resins save costs, energy in metal
roofing systems
WYANDOTTE, Mich., November 22, 2004 -- Styrotech/STYRO-STOP, Incorporated,
Brooklyn Park, Minn., uses BASF’s Styropor resin to produce
expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam for “direct-to-deck”
metal roofing designs in commercial buildings because of the material’s
consistency, performance and environmental benefits.
Historically, building codes have required a thermal barrier between
the EPS insulation and the metal deck in roofing to achieve proper
fire ratings. The issuance of ICC-ES Evaluation Report ESR-1025,
held by Styrotech/STYRO-STOP, Inc., has eliminated the thermal barrier
requirement, making EPS direct-to-deck installations easier, more
efficient and less expensive.
“The direct-to-deck approach is very appealing to commercial
roofers because it takes less time to install an effective insulation
envelope, which reduces labor costs and increases the number of
projects they can pursue,” said Scott Wehrmeyer, Marketing
Coordinator for Styrotech. “Previously, the only insulation
material feasible for direct-to-deck designs was polyisocyanurate
foams.”
According to Wehrmeyer, the thickness of EPS foams became more
comparable to the commonly used insulation materials after required
formulation changes to remove HCFC blowing agents in polyisocyanurate
were implemented. “Material costs for EPS are typically lower
than polyisocyanurate. Now that Styropor EPS foam delivers the necessary
thermal insulation at a similar thickness, it is has become a material
of choice for commercial roofers who install direct-to-deck envelope
systems,” he said.
Styrotech/STYRO-STOP, Inc., offers STYRO-STOP™ Direct EPS
insulation over steel roof decks. In addition to being cost-efficient,
the benefits delivered in this system include design flexibility,
high R-Values for thermal insulation, superior dimensional stability,
and resistance to moisture absorption and physical degradation,
said Wehrmeyer. He added that STYRO-STOP Direct has undergone a
thorough evaluation for fire-safety performance and can be installed
directly over metal roof decks in ballasted, mechanically-fastened
and fully-adhered roof assemblies.
“With winter fast approaching, rising energy costs to heat
commercial structures are compelling building managers and owners
to evaluate advanced insulation systems to help them save money
by improving energy efficiency,” said Gene Zimmermann, Director
of BASF’s Styropor EPS business in North America. “Because
most heat loss occurs through the roof, selecting a technology to
insulate this area is the most critical decision to make. Roofing
systems that utilize Styropor EPS foams are a highly viable option
by virtue of their performance and cost-effectiveness.”
According to Zimmermann, the positive attributes of plastic materials
for direct-to-deck metal roofing insulation systems were further
reinforced by an extensive study conducted by BASF that confirmed
their eco-efficiency benefits. The study analyzed BASF’s Styropor
EPS foam, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) and polyisocyanurate materials,
as well as extruded polystyrene (XPS), which the company does not
supply.
The findings of this eco-efficiency analysis indicate that EPS,
SPF and polyisocyanurate supplied by BASF are comparable, and each
has its own attributes and benefits for thermal insulation applications.
What differs are the means in which they achieve eco-efficiency,
such as material density, manufacturing processes and how they are
installed.
“The specific environmental benefits Styropor EPS foam brings
to direct-to-deck insulation systems include having the lowest air
emissions, since it never used ozone-depleting hydrochlorofluoro-carbons
(HCFCs) blowing agents, and requiring less materials and weight
to meet the necessary insulation standards,” said Zimmermann.
More information on Styropor EPS is available on the Internet at
www.plasticsportal.com or www.styroporeps.com.
The Internet site for Styrotech is www.styrotech.com.
Styrotech, Incorporated
Styrotech, Incorporated manufactures, designs and fabricates EPS
foam for use as insulation, protective packaging and diverse custom
applications. State-of-the-art process equipment and production
techniques, coupled with third-party certification by Underwriters
Laboratories, assure our customers of consistent product performance
with every order. The company is based in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
BASF – The Chemical Company. We don’t make
a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you
buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American
affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. We employ about 11,000
people in North America and had sales of approximately $9 billion
in 2003. For more information about BASF’s North American
operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit
www.basf.com/usa.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. Our goal is
to grow profitably and further increase the value of our company.
We help our customers to be more successful through intelligent
system solutions and high-quality products. BASF’s portfolio
ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural
products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. Through
new technologies we can tap into additional market opportunities.
We conduct our business in accordance with the principles of sustainable
development. In 2003, BASF had sales of approximately $42 billion.
BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS),
London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (AN). Further
information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
For more information, contact:
David A. Elliott
BASF
Tel: (734) 324-6148
E-mail: elliotd1@basf.com
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