Clearly, it is crucially important for the refrigeration industry to use the most thermally efficient insulation material available, in order to keep the thickness of the insulation to a minimum, and to maximise internal storage space.
IFS has developed a range of refrigeration-grade polyurethane foams, which offer outstanding insulation performance with exceptional flowability, allowing the foam to fill complex shapes at relatively low densities. In 1988, we introduced the first commercially available PU foam to use blowing agents with zero ODP (ozone depletion potential), and our Envirofoam Z series of products became the industry standard for environmentally acceptable polyurethanes, which also exhibit excellent adhesion to a variety of substrates as well as providing low U-value insulation products.
In addition we are now extending our technical leadership with foams manufactured from rapeseed oil polyols. Conversion of the vegetable oil uses only around 10% of the energy required to convert petroleum-based products, and another huge energy saving is achieved by local sourcing of the raw materials, allowing manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment to achieve significant reductions in the size of their carbon footprint.
Several years ago we developed a range of materials using blowing agents of very low Global Warming Potential (GWP). These grades have been enthusiastically accepted within the refrigeration and building industries and many of them have a GWP of “less than 5”, a requirement of the BREEAM Ecohomes initiative.
PIR Foam Insulation
The latest technology to come from IFS is the end result of several years of development. We are pleased to announce the introduction of an insulation foam which is quite simply the ultimate in terms of technical performance,environmental credentials and ease of processing. The new PIR foams have excellent fire retardant qualities and can be processed on conventional foaming equipment. The GWP is 2, well within the requirements of the BREEAM requirement. The resin component again contains polyols derived from rapeseed oil, something which helps the flow of the foam system in complex cavities.
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