DuPont Introduces Thermal Mass Innovation for Sustainable Construction
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DuPont(TM) Energain® Reduces Air Conditioning and Heating Costs up to 35 Percent
WILMINGTON, Del., April 30 -- DuPont (NYSE:DD) has introduced DuPont(TM) Energain®, an innovative concept in thermal mass that provides a long-term sustainable solution to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in public, commercial and residential buildings.
DuPont(TM) Energain®, a significant advancement in sustainable building materials, was recently introduced in the United Kingdom. It is a finalist for the 2007 Carbon Trust Innovation Award.
The DuPont-patented thermal mass panels significantly slow down temperature increases within a room, reducing temperature peaks by as much as 12 degrees F or 7 degrees C, providing greater comfort for consumers and reducing the need for air conditioning. Conversely, as temperatures drop, the absorbed heat in the panels is released, slowing down the cooling of rooms and lessening the need to resort to heating systems. Through the use of DuPont(TM) Energain®, a building can realize an average of 35 percent air conditioning cost savings and up to 15 percent reduction in heating system costs.
"DuPont(TM) Energain® is an exciting new product that has the potential to revolutionize the way the world constructs," said Thomas Powell, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Building Innovations. "DuPont has a long tradition of using science and innovation to deliver advanced products to the marketplace, enabling architects and designers to build sustainable, cost- efficient buildings. DuPont(TM) Energain® will offer unprecedented efficiency for broad sectors of the construction market."
DuPont(TM) Energain® thermal mass panels absorb and release heat, as a result of temperature fluctuations throughout the course of the day, which cause the compound to react, bringing about a 'phase change' at molecular level. This breakthrough product takes the form of a lightweight, easy-to- install 5mm aluminium-laminated panel, containing a copolymer and paraffin wax compound. It is installed on the interior walls and ceilings of a building, behind the plasterboard lining, together with a mechanical ventilation system. The rigid panel is similar in dimension to an ordinary plasterboard panel, yet is half the weight and is almost as easy to install.
Tested in the laboratory at INSA, the University of Lyon and currently by the EDF Group (Electricite de France) in a fully equipped test house in France, DuPont(TM) Energain® was launched initially in the United Kingdom, with further rollout planned in other European countries. DuPont(TM) Energain® has been awarded a LIFE Grant from the European Commission as part of its support package for Energy Efficient Buildings Systems project.
DuPont -- one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 16 years ago -- has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment like DuPont(TM) Energain®. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets, including products that increase energy efficiency, such as DuPont(TM) Energain®.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
NOTE: For further information on DuPont, please
visit: www.energain.dupont.com
First Call Analyst: Carl Lukach
FCMN Contact: marie.l.beletti-2@usa.dupont.com
Source: DuPont
CONTACT: Stephanie Jacobson of DuPont, +1-302-774-4335, stephanie.jacobson-1@usa.dupont.com
Web site: http://www.dupont.com/
