Toledo, Ohio – Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), a global leader in building materials and energy efficiency solutions, today announced it has started manufacturing zero ozone-depleting FOAMULAR® Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) rigid foam insulation. The new blowing agent technology developed by Owens Corning meets the requirements of the Montreal Protocol which requires the phase-out of the hydrochloro-fluorocarbon (HCFC) 142b, an ozone-depleting compound, by January 1, 2010.
Owens Corning’s new Gresham plant is the first facility in the Western U.S. to meet the requirements of the Montreal Protocol and expands the company’s XPS foam production capabilities. The company also has converted its Rockford, Ill., insulation plant to use the new blowing agent, and all FOAMULAR products will meet the requirements of the conversion deadline.
“High performance homes and buildings are an ever-growing segment of the construction industry, and Owens Corning is committed to helping architects, builders, contractors and specifiers consistently meet and prosper from this demand,” said Joe Ochoa, Foam Business general manager, Owens Corning. “Our customers trust FOAMULAR insulation to deliver energy efficiency solutions that help reduce building life-cycle energy costs. With the addition of our Gresham facility, we are providing our customers across the U.S. greater access and flexibility.”
Nationwide, Owens Corning FOAMULAR XPS insulation products are designed for use in a variety of above- and below-grade and load-bearing applications to provide exceptional thermal and moisture resistance and long-term energy efficiency. Benefits of FOAMULAR insulation include:
- Virtually impervious to moisture penetration, preventing loss of R-value
- Twenty-year thermal performance warranty
- Recyclable and reusable
- Minimum of 20 percent certified recycled production content
- GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® and certified under the even more stringent GREENGUARD Children & SchoolsSM
Utilizing FOAMULAR insulation can help builders achieve green building certifications including the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® certification, the National Association of Home Builders’ National Green Building certification, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. FOAMULAR products also are eligible for the Federal Tax Credit for existing homes under the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act of 2009.
To learn more about Owens Corning FOAMULAR insulation and applications that can benefit from XPS insulation, please visit: www.OwensCorningXPS.com.
About Owens Corning
Owens Corning is a leading global producer of residential and commercial building materials, glass fiber reinforcements and engineered materials for composite systems. A Fortune 500 company for 55 consecutive years, Owens Corning is committed to driving sustainability through delivering solutions, transforming markets and enhancing lives. Founded in 1938, Owens Corning is a market-leading innovator of glass-fiber technology with sales of $6 billion in 2008 and about 16,500 employees in 30 countries. Additional information is available at www.owenscorning.com.
