Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Dec 16, 2014 01:34pm | #1

   Brian,
   Over the past few years, several manufacturers have tried to market polyester insulation. The first two manufacturers who tried to launch polyester batts — Rtica Corporation of Stoney Creek, Ontario, and Dow Building Solutions of Midland, Michigan — have both given up and abandoned the market. Rtica is out of business, and Dow’s product (SafeTouch batts) was discontinued in 2011 due to dismal sales.

   The latest entry into the market was Vita Nonwovens of High Point, North Carolina; for a while, the company tried to sell polyester batts under the EnGuard brand. As far as I can tell, EnGuard, like all the earlier brands of polyester insulation, is now extinct.

2. Expert Member
   Dana Dorsett | Dec 16, 2014 02:06pm | #2

   I thought there were a couple South American companies in the polyester fiber insulation biz, but I can't actually name them.

3. 
   Richard Beyer | Dec 16, 2014 04:27pm | #3

   http://www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/safetouch-polyester-batt-insulation-dow

4. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Dec 16, 2014 04:41pm | #4

   Richard,
   The link you provided is consistent with my report. Dow's SafeTouch insulation is no longer available.

   Nor, for that matter, is EnGuard.

5. 
   Brian Timlick | Dec 16, 2014 11:21pm | #5

   Thank you Martin. Have you assessed the performance of SafeTouch or EnGuard before they were discontinued? Also, were they made of fabric or recycled bottles?

6. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Dec 17, 2014 05:47am | #6

   Brian,
   According to the article in BuildingGreen, SafeTouch was made of 100% new virgin fibers.

   EnGuard insulation was made of 50% new fibers, and 50% recycled fibers from plastic bottles.

   I have not tested either product.