Active use of XPS in Switzerland
Given the global warming related issues with US-produced XPS, I was surprised to see during a recent visit to Switzerland that the Swiss are actively using XPS in public works building projects. (See attached picture in which the XPS will likely be used for below grade concrete foundation or piping work.) Switzerland, and Zurich in particular, are extremely environmentally conscious and the local Green party has significant influence in local politics.
Having read more on this site and also having browsed the Swiss manufacturer’s website (Swisspor) , I now see that Swiss / Europeans have already transitioned away from the more harmful blowing agents. (Swisspor specifically states that that it’s XPS is “absolutely free of HCFCs”.)
The thermal conductivity of Swisspor’s XPS is listed at 0.032, whereas Owens Corning states that its Foamular is 0.029, which indicates a 10% improvement in insulating value (compared to the Swiss version), likely why the US producers are slow to transition away from the current production methods.
No larger point to make. Maybe thought that some on this site might find it interesting.
Regards,
Joe
Swisspor’s XPS site (in German):
http://www.swisspor.ch/index.php?section=datasheet&cmd=productOverview&id=18
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Replies
Joe,
You're right. U.S. manufacturers of XPS haven't switched to a blowing agent that is environmentally friendly because they assume that Americans want XPS that is rated at R-5 per inch instead of R-4 per inch. In Europe, builders accept R-4 per inch foam, and just install a thicker layer if they need more R-value.
-- Martin Holladay
It's not just Switzerland- HCFCs are not used for blowing XPS in North America, since that would be a violation of the Montreal Protocol. All North American XPS has been blown with HFCs (not HCFCs) ever since the Montreal Protocol went into effect.
Much of the XPS in Europe is blown with CO2, but there may be versions blown with HFO1234_ _ variants