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Bayer MaterialScience increases MDI production in China
Written by Global Insulation staff
26 September 2013
China: Bayer MaterialScience intends to increase MDI production from 0.35Mt/yr to 0.50Mt/yr by the middle of 2014, according to polymer news website Gupta Verlag. De-bottlenecking will take place at the polymer manufacturer's MDI production facility at the Bayer Integrated Site Shanghai in Caojing, Shanghai.
"MDI is an important raw material for the production of polyurethane rigid foam, which is an effective insulation material for buildings and refrigerators. The de-bottlenecking will allow the company to further expand its business in China, which is one of the largest markets in the world for Bayer MaterialScience," said Wolfgang Miebach, President of Bayer MaterialScience China.
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association appoints Stacy Fitzgerald-Redd as director of communication
Written by Global Insulation staff
26 September 2013
US: The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) has appointed Stacy Fitzgerald-Redd as its director of communications. Fitzgerald-Redd is responsible for developing and implementing marketing and communications initiatives designed in support of the mission of NAIMA for fiberglass, rock wool and slag wool insulation products.
Fitzgerald-Redd was most recently with the USA Rice Federation, where she spent six years developing and implementing communication strategies, writing and editing reports, publications and newsletters, managing social media outreach and serving as a media spokesperson. She also worked in employee and customer communications at AMTRAK and spent 13 years working in research, communications and education for the Food Marketing Institute, the international trade association of the supermarket industry. Fitzgerald-Redd holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Virginia State University.
ECO Byggolit applies for corporate reconstruction
Written by Global Insulation staff
24 September 2013
Sweden: ECO Byggolit, a Swedish producer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, has applied for corporate reconstruction due to reduced demand from the construction industry. The company, which was established in 2009, has 13 employees and annual sales of Euro6.73m. The company's products are mainly used for insulation of buildings and as a filler in roads.
Wienerberger AG completes clay block with insulation plant
Written by Global Insulation staff
24 September 2013
Austria: Wienerberger AG has announced that it has completed the construction of a new production plant in Haiding, Upper Austria. The plant will produce the Porotherm W.i. clay blocks. W.i. stands for 'with thermal insulation', which means the insulating material, natural mineral wool, is already integrated in the clay block.
Arkema announces new blowing agent for polyurethane foams
Written by Global Insulation staff
20 September 2013
France: Multinational chemical producer Arkema has patented the use of Forane(R) 1233zd as a blowing agent in the manufacture of polyurethane foams. The new molecule, known in its development phase as AFA-L1, is high purity trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, a liquid halogenated olefin. It offers improvements in energy performance and environmental benefits over existing blowing agents.
"In all of these evaluations, in several different polyurethane foam applications, Forane(R) 1233zd blowing agent has consistently demonstrated outstanding ease of use," noted Nancy Storoz, Global Business Manager for Arkema fluorochemicals foams and 134a refrigerants, "It requires minimal equipment modifications and formulation changes, while outperforming HCFCs, HFCs and hydrocarbons in terms of energy efficiency, R value, and vapor pressure."
In trials at a manufacturer of household refrigerators and freezers, an unoptimised system based on Forane(R) 1233zd blowing agent delivered a 3% improvement in energy efficiency versus HFC 245fa and surpassed 2014 DOE energy standards. In other evaluations conducted by Arkema, Forane(R) 1233zd blowing agent provided a 6% improvement in insulation value versus HFC 245fa, a 7% improvement versus HCFC 141b, and a 16% improvement versus hydrocarbons.
Target markets for Forane(R) 1233zd blowing agent include polyurethane foams used in the manufacture of household refrigerators and freezers, commercial refrigeration, spray foam, and polyurethane panels for commercial and residential building and construction applications.