Insta-Insulation specializes in applying Walltite spray-in-place polyurethane foam insulation. Spray-in-place insulation creates a gap-free, air-tight seal and is resistant to moisture, sealing any cracks or crevices that cold or warm air could travel through.
Insta-Insulation Cuts Energy Bills
As oil, electricity and natural gas prices continue to climb, home and business owners are looking for ways to reduce their monthly energy bills. Insulation expert Alex Schuts can help. Schuts is vice-president of Insta- Insulation, a Boston-area company that specializes in the application of polyurethane spray-in-place foam insulation, a product that can help property owners save up to 40 per cent on home energy costs.
"Quite frankly, the only way you can really make a significant reduction on your overall energy costs is to either shut off your air conditioner for the entire summer or upgrade your insulation," Schuts says. About 60 per cent of the company's business is residential, but Insta-Insulation also does specialized commercial and industrial jobs. The company has applied its products everywhere from small attics to large health-care facilities.
Insta-Insulation specializes in applying Walltite spray-in-place polyurethane foam insulation. Spray-in-place insulation creates a gap-free, air-tight seal and is resistant to moisture, sealing any cracks or crevices that cold or warm air could travel through. Continue at Brantford Expositor
Sloan Valve Becomes First ‘Eco-Effective’ Manufacturer
Sloan Valve Co. has received Cradle To Cradle Design certification for its products by MBDC, a product process and design firm that evaluates companies and their products based on their "eco-effectiveness". Two of Sloan’s plumbing products were certified for Silver-level status: the Uppercut dual-flush Flushometer and the Royal model 111 manual Flushometer.
Continue at Sloan Valve
Free Hydronic Training Manual From Bell & Gossett
A new training manual, “How Hydronic System Components Really Work,” is available from Bell & Gossett. The 40-page manual presents new and updated information on system components and their roles in the hydronic system including:
* Operation of air relief valves, air separators, compression tanks, expansion tanks and more
* The circulator and how it moves water in closed systems
* Taking control of water hammer and velocity noise
* Low water cut-offs for hot water boilers
* Flow control options
* The point of no pressure change
For a free copy of training manual FHD-501A, contact your local Bell & Gossett representative or visit www.bellgossett.com.
DOW Announces Price Increases
Dow will charge about 25 percent more for its products beginning July 1, on top of the 20 percent price hikes it instituted this month. Dow now plans to reduce polystyrene production in Europe by 15 percent, and idle European styrene production by 40 percent. The company will idle or reduce production of ethylene oxide worldwide by 25 percent, and acrylic acid in North America by 30 percent. The company will make 20 percent less STYROFOAM building insulation in response to a drop in the housing market. Continue at Dow
Dupont, Bayer and A. Schulman Announce Price Increases
The stream of price-increase announcements continues unabated, with DuPont Engineering Polymers (Wilmington, DE), Bayer MaterialScience (Leverkusen, Germany), and A. Schulman (Akron, OH) lifting prices on everything from polymers to polyurethane precursors to masterbatches. DuPont said that as of July 1, or as contracts allow, it would lift the price for its Delrin acetal by $0.10/lb and polyester products by $0.15/lb, with some specialty materials, like Zenite liquid crystal polymer to increase as well.
On the same day as DuPont’s announcement, Bayer MaterialScience said it would raise prices for polymeric and monomeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and MDI derivatives in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region by euro 0.08/kg. Bayer said the move will not affect existing contracts and also cited the “continuing increase of energy and raw material costs.”
One day after these announcement, custom compounder A. Schulman said it would increase prices up to 20% on its North American Masterbatch and Engineered Plastics divisions, effective June 16 and July 1, or as contracts allow. A. Schulman also said that it had undertaken productivity improvements and revamped its global purchasing and supply chain processes to reduce costs, but that “rapid, significant, and sustained increases in key raw material, energy, logistical and other associated costs” left it few options. Continue at Modern Plastics
BASF Increases Prices for Polyetheramines
As of July 1st, 2008, BASF will be raising its prices in Europe for Terluran (ABS) Commodities and Styrolux (SBC polymer) by 100 Euro per metric ton. At the same time the GMP (gross market price) for Polystyrene will be increased by 50 Euro per metric ton.
The three types of plastic Terluran, Styrolux and Polystyrene are employed in household and office products, in the electrical realm and communication technology, for cosmetics and in the packaging sector. Continue at BASF
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute Awards Owens Corning Masonry Products GREENGUARD Certifications
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute recently announced that Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) Masonry Products is the first manufactured stone veneer maker to qualify for its GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified(R) and the even more stringent GREENGUARD Children & Schools(SM) product emission standards. The certifications are for the entire line of Cultured Stone(R) and ProStone(TM) veneer products. The qualifications showcase the company's continued commitment to sustainable industry leadership and stand alongside GREENGUARD certifications of a wide variety of Owens Corning insulation products, including faced and unfaced PINK fiberglass insulation batts and rolls, and Foamular(R) extruded polystyrene insulation. Continue at WSJ
Guardian 275 Curtainwall Provides Hurricane Protection
Major Industries has announced that its Guardian 275 translucent curtainwall has been approved by the Florida Building Commission for use in the Florida construction industry. The Guardian 275 hurricane system, engineered to provide the highest level of hurricane protection, offers the same high-quality, glare-free light found in Major’s standard Guardian 275 translucent panel systems.
In order to receive Florida approval (which encompasses most Florida counties), Major’s Guardian 275 translucent curtainwall had to withstand a variety of missile impact, water and air infiltration, and pressure load tests. Guardian 275 translucent curtainwall, with its unique sandwich panel design and use of high-performance materials, offers strong protection against hurricane-force winds and flying debris--without sacrificing the numerous health and environmental benefits that daylighting provides. Guardian 275 translucent curtain includes LEED-friendly features, the company adds. Continue at MajorSkylights