Dow Develops Green Building and Carpet Backing Solutions
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Midland, MI - November 07, 2007
At Dow, developing green building and design solutions is more than just a concept - it's a passion. This passion is detailed in Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals, an ambitious multi-part program to address some of the most pressing economic, social and environmental concerns facing the global community over the next 10 years. These goals reflect Dow's commitment to the principles of Responsible Care® and have led to Dow's recognition as one of the top performers in the global chemical industry by the 2007 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World).
As part of Dow's commitment to sustainable chemistry, including new or enhanced products or services with additional sustainability benefits, Dow Building Solutions and Carpet Backing businesses will be exhibiting at the Greenbuild Expo in Chicago, November 7-9, 2007, Booth # 506.
Showcasing the latest advancements in green design and construction, Greenbuild is the perfect event for these unique businesses within Dow to extend sustainable chemistry into some of the markets that we serve. This Dow team is dedicated to offering innovative products for architects, designers and specifiers to help address their sustainability and energy challenges.
New at Greenbuild: Dow's Total Wall System
Designing to meet a host of ever-changing standards and specifications presents immense challenges for architects. With the Total Wall System, Dow seeks to simplify the process, meeting the need for a high R-value insulation and air barrier that also provides a drainage plane, acts as a water-resistive barrier and helps reduce scheduling time.
The high-performance system comprises THERMAX(TM) Heavy Duty exterior insulated sheathing (THERMAX HDS) and interior sealant foam (STYROFOAM(TM) Brand SPF) coupled with design and planning services from Dow. Integral to the system is THERMAX HDS, a lightweight exterior insulated sheathing with more than 30 years of proven performance that provides continuous insulation to meet the updated ASHRAE 90.1-2007. (The Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings requires continuous insulation for steel-stud above-grade walls in most U.S. climate zones.) Another important feature of THERMAX HDS is its durable acrylic-coated facer that resists job site damage and provides moisture resistance. The foam core provides one of the highest R-values available (R-6.5 at one inch) for immediate insulation and weather protection on the job site, as well as long-term thermal performance. Because THERMAX(TM) HDS is much lighter than exterior gypsum (about 12 pounds for THERMAX HDS vs. 80 pounds for gypsum), the construction schedule can be significantly reduced. The use of THERMAX HDS on the outside and STYROFOAM(TM) SPF in the cavity (eliminating the use of batt insulation) in steel stud wall construction can control moisture caused by dew point condensation, while improving energy performance. Finally, Dow helps put it all together with design and planning assistance.
Protected Membrane Roofing (PMR)
More than 40 years ago, roofing experts at Dow literally turned the industry upside down with the invention of the protected membrane roof (PMR). Also known as an inverted roofing membrane assembly, or IRMA, a PMR design is a sustainable roofing solution that is also ideal for "green" roofs, where landscaping or plantings are used on the top surface.
STYROFOAM(TM) Brand extruded polystyrene products such as STYROFOAM(TM) ROOFMATE(TM), STYROFOAM(TM) Highload and STYROFOAM(TM) PLAZAMATE(TM) have over 40 years of installed history in PMR and green roof applications. Their use enables the innovative PMR design, which may help architects and building owners earn USGBC LEED credits. For example, because they continue to perform year after year, PMR designs help reduce a building's total energy consumption. (The more a roof can be kept in use, the more it contributes to overall sustainability of the building by delaying the impact of eventual tear-off.) Many of the components in a PMR are typically able to be reused because the insulation, fabric and membrane are loose-laid. This reduces downstream waste during construction, maintenance and demolition phases. Furthermore, STYROFOAM Brand extruded polystyrene insulation used in garden roof assemblies and with reflective roofing membranes or surfaces can help reduce the urban heat island effect.
Dow Building Solutions offers PMR application assistance, including literature, such as the PMR Installation Guide and Green Roof Primer, to guide architects, specifiers and contractors on proper installation details.
DOW(TM) SPF Roof System
Sustainable and lightweight, the DOW(TM) Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Roof System provides superior R-value, improved foam and coating yields, and excellent wind uplift performance. The system includes site-applied STYROFOAM(TM) Brand SPF Insulation, a two-component spray-applied polyurethane foam insulation* that creates a seamless, monolithic barrier for protection against water and air. The foam is then coated with either an acrylic latex coating or a silicone coating with a granule top layer.
When designed with the DOW(TM) Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Roof System white acrylic coating, the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of the roof will far exceed the LEED requirements to reduce the heat island effect. The acrylic coating has a reflectivity rating of 0.85 and an emissivity rating of 0.89.
Dow Building Solutions - Residential Construction
As demands for oil and natural gas significantly increase globally, available supply is at an all-time premium. For every two barrels of oil produced, only one is discovered to replace it. As a result, costs are not likely to decrease in the foreseeable future. To help address these concerns, Dow is at the forefront delivering reliable, proven building solutions that conserve energy. Dow's full line of integrated solutions that includes STYROFOAM(TM) insulation, WEATHERMATE(TM) housewraps and spray foam solutions help reduce home energy use, resulting in lower utility bills and a more comfortable living environment.
Also debuting at the show is Dow Building Solutions' newest STYROFOAM brand solution STYROFOAM SIS(TM) Structural Insulated Sheathing. This innovative product is made from 80 percent post-consumer recycled content. In addition, it helps reduce energy bills and energy consumption for consumers for the life of their home while also helping to improve moisture management. STYROFOAM SIS provides structural bracing, insulation and water-resistant barrier protection in one-solution delivering "one trip around the house," resulting in lower wall system costs.
Dow Carpet and Artificial Turf Backing Technology - Polyurethane
Underfoot, Dow also develops carpet and artificial turf backing technologies that help reduce the design and construction industry's footprint on the earth. Polyurethane backing technology for commercial carpet combines durability and style with environmental responsibility. The high-performance characteristics of Dow polyurethane help create a more durable, longer lasting carpet, providing extended life cycle attributes. Both DOW(TM) ENHANCER(TM) Technology for cushioned carpet and ENFORCER(TM) Technology for non-cushioned carpet promote healthy indoor air quality and are designed to comply with the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label standards. Dow polyurethane carpet backing also allows the use of post-consumer materials as part of its technology. By choosing carpet backing with Dow polyurethane technology, specifiers may receive up to seven LEED® points.
For artificial turf, Dow polyurethane backing technology offers enhanced performance combined with environmental benefits. ENFORCER(TM) Polyurethane Technology helps artificial turf withstand the toughest wear and tear, with strong tuft bind and dimensional stability, even in wet conditions. Cushioned backing made with ENHANCER(TM) Polyurethane Technology offers the added value of shock absorption. Unlike natural grass, artificial turf requires no watering, no fertilizers and no pesticides. Plus it emits low volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
For both carpet and turf backing systems, Dow technology contains pre-consumer materials, as well as rapidly renewable resource materials. In addition, Dow has developed new technology that allows polyurethane backing to be recycled into similar backings.
Dow Carpet Backing Technology - Latex & Thermoplastic
For both commercial and residential carpet, Dow also produces innovative latex and thermoplastic backing products that address customer needs, in addition to environmental concerns. New Polyolefin Dispersions enabled by BLUEWAVE(TM) Technology allow the carpet industry to gain the performance and recyclable attributes of thermoplastic products while using their conventional latex coating equipment. Dow Polyolefin Dispersions are low odor products that are designed to be used in a variety of carpet applications such as modular tile pre-coats, commercial/residential broadloom carpet, thermo-moldable products, and artificial turf systems. Unlike many carpet backing technologies that are available today, Polyolefin Dispersions enabled by BLUEWAVE(TM) Technology are thermoplastic, not thermoset, which facilitates easier recycling at the end of the carpet's life.
In an effort to meet the industry's needs for carpet backings with sustainable attributes, Dow will soon produce carpet backing latexes manufactured with LOMAX(TM) Technology. Dow's target will be to replace nearly all of the company's fossil fuel requirements with landfill methane gas, a renewable energy, in the manufacturing of our latexes. LOMAX(TM) Technology will use approximately 240 billion Btu annually of methane gas, which is equivalent to the amount of energy required to heat 2,100 homes annually. By utilizing carpet backing manufactured with LOMAX(TM) Technology, Dow will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 27 million pounds annually - which is comparable to keeping 2,300 cars off the road each year.
By choosing carpet backing products manufactured with Dow's LOMAX(TM) Technology, carpet mills will be eligible to receive between two to five points under the renewable energy section of the new NSF 140-2007 carpet sustainability standard. Products manufactured with LOMAX(TM) Technology are also designed to meet Green Label Plus requirements, which allows specifiers to receive one LEED point. In addition, LOMAX(TM) Technology could qualify for an additional one to four LEED points under the ID (Innovation & Design Process) category.
From the roof to the walls to the floors, the Dow team is dedicated to addressing some of the most critical concerns to the global community by developing technologies that not only address the needs of its customers, but also those of the environment. To find out more about Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals and eco-friendly building and carpet backing products, visit Dow at the Greenbuild Expo, November 7-9, at Chicago's McCormick Place West, Booth #506.
About Dow
Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of innovation, science and technology to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company offers a broad range of products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $49 billion and employs 43,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
For Editorial Information:
Jennifer Holzinger
The Dow Chemical Company
1-989-636-8537
