>>Evolution of SPF Noticed at IBS
Lapolla Industries Inc., Dow Building Solutions, CertainTeed, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, Honeywell, Ron Hazelton and Ty Pennington are some of the companies/people who helped with positive promotion of SPF at International Builder's Show. SPFA was also represented at the show by Dr. Richard Duncan, who was one of the speakers. Read More at Plastics News 

>>GIA Releases Global Report on Insulation
GIA announced the release of a comprehensive global report on insulation. The global market for insulation is projected to reach $44 billion by 2020, driven by the growing need for thermal and acoustic insulation in housing and commercial buildings. Read More at PRWeb

>>DOE, ORNL Researching New Insulation Material
Researchers at the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE)’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are collaborating with industry to develop a high-performance material that nearly doubles the performance of traditional insulators without a high cost premium. The material is a composite polyiso foam board containing "modified atmosphere insulation," or "MAI," cores. While polyiso and sprayfoam hover around an R-value of 6 per inch, the goal for MAI-polyiso composites is 12. Read More at Labdesignnews

>>Free Webinar on March 18 by DOE Building America Program
Source: energy.gov
A webinar being presented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America program on March 18 is titled, "Building America Research Tools: Field Test Best Practices, BEopt, and National Residential Efficiency Measures Database." Register here for the 3-4:30 p.m. (EDT) webinar. Find more information here.

>>Codes, Standards Developers Align Guidelines to Create Sustainable, High-Performance Buildings
Source: ashrae.org
Several leading associations that develop codes and standards to create green buildings are collaborating to align the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1 and the LEED green building program. The initiative is being welcomed by code officials, architects, engineers and contractors. Read more here.

>>Manufacturers Wary About Proposed EPA Rule
Manufacturers of cast polyurethanes, polyurethane foam, adhesives and sealants are reacting cautiously to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Significant New Use Rule on toluene diisocyanates. The SNUR is meant to cover only uncured products containing TDI and used in home applications, said representatives of the Polyurethane Manufacturers Association, Polyurethane Foam Association, and Adhesive and Sealant Council. However, the current version of the plan is so written that it might allow the EPA to regulate some cured products, which do not contain or emit TDI, they said. The EPA issued the SNUR on the TDI page of its website Jan. 8, and it was published in the Federal Register Jan. 15. Read More at Rubbernews

>>SPF Aids in NASA Launch: It Is Rocket Science!
Plastics News reported that NASA's test of the Orion spacecraft in December took advantage of spray polyurethane foam insulation on its second-stage liquid fuel tanks. The spacecraft was successfully launched Dec. 5, the first such take-off since the Space Shuttle program ended. Read More at incrediblepolyurethane.com