US DOE gave the research grant specifically to Dow Building Solutions, a business within Dow’s Building and Construction business group, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to create insulating building envelope systems with a low carbon footprint and meeting the current and future energy conservation needs and building code requirements.
Typically the building envelope accounts for greater than 40% of the overall energy use in the US, half of which is lost through the walls, roofs, and foundations. This new insulation is expected to provide up to 50% thermal insulation performance improvement over typical insulation sheathings, resulting in reduced energy losses in both residential and commercial applications, according to the company.
The new insulation system is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid production of volatile organic compounds.
Dow Building Solutions has pledged an additional funding of $2.9m, bringing the total research funding effort to $5.8m over the next three years.
Torsten Kraef, vice president of Dow Building and Construction, said: “This is great recognition for Dow’s focus on efficiency, and our drive to develop technologies that provide building solutions with easy installation and even greater energy savings.”
Bill Jackson, global research and development director of Dow Building and Construction, said: “We are excited by the chance to work closely with the DOE to play a significant role in shaping the future of insulation innovation, and have a key role in meeting the long-term US energy efficiency goals for residential and commercial buildings.”
