Plastic Press Release
Styrenic Foams News Release
American PolySteel prefers BASF�s Styropor�
EPS for insulating concrete forms
BASF�s foam delivers performance, processing advantages in
building systems
FLORHAM PARK, N.J., January 11, 2005 -- BASF�s Styropor
expandable polystyrene (EPS) is the material of choice of
American PolySteel, LLC, Albuquerque, N.M., to produce foam for
its PolySteel� and PolyPro� lines of insulating concrete forms (ICFs)
used to build external walls for residential and commercial
buildings.
The patent pending PolySteel and PolyPro ICFs consist of two
Styropor EPS foam panels molded together with steel or
polypropylene form ties, which have integrated furring strips.
These forms are interconnected to build a wall. Concrete is then
poured to fill the area in between the panels to create a very
strong unit with superior thermal insulation properties. The
furring strips are recessed one-half inch below the wall surface
and enable stucco lath, brick ties or siding to be mechanically
attached directly to the insulated concrete wall.
�PolySteel and PolyPro ICFs combine the high R-Value of thermal
insulation from BASF�s Styropor EPS foam and the intrinsic
strength and thermal mass of concrete walls, saving homeowners
approximately 50 to 80 percent on energy costs and about 15 to 25
percent on insurance premiums,� said Patrick Murphy, President of
American PolySteel. �Compared to wood-frame walls, the thermal
stability of PolySteel and PolyPro ICFs reduces the temperature
fluctuations and, consequently, the heat load requirement
necessary for wood. In addition, air leakage or infiltration can
account for 20 to 40 percent of the heat load requirements of a
wood-framed building. PolySteel and PolyPro ICFs can reduce this
air infiltration by 75 percent.�
Although PolySteel and PolyPro ICFs are used in the full gamut of
construction projects from affordable housing to large commercial
buildings, the technology�s energy advantages really hit home in
small to mid-range houses because it impacts those who would most
benefit from the cost savings they generate, said Murphy.
�Besides location, most people purchase homes the same way as
they would buy a car � basing their decision on how much they can
afford to pay each month,� Murphy said. �But they often don�t
factor in how much they�ll need to pay in utilities to heat and
cool their homes each month because they�re more concerned about
the more visible fixtures and features inside the house instead
of what is used in the walls and ceilings for insulation.
Informed consumers insisting on ICF systems in new buildings or
pre-owned homes can expect the house to last a lot longer and
have lower utility bills, which positively impacts their monthly
budget.�
In addition to economic advantages, families benefit from the
PolySteel and PolyPro ICFs building envelope protecting them from
natural disasters and fire significantly better than conventional
construction methods, Murphy said.
Murphy said the consistency of BASF�s Styropor EPS resins greatly
contribute to the high quality performance of PolySteel and
PolyPro ICFs. �We�ve been processing EPS foam throughout our
27-year history, and the Styropor BFL 327 and 422 EPS grade
resins provide superior performance in the production of our
products because they deliver faster cycle times, consistent
fusion and density to produce a uniformly solid panel, and the
finished appearance features we require. We also consider BASF to
be very responsive to our needs and in the vanguard of developing
enhanced EPS resins that precisely meet our requirements,� he
said.
�BASF is committed to offering material solutions to our valued
customer, American PolySteel, that bring performance,
environmental and health benefits to the homes and commercial
structures they build,� said Gene Zimmermann, Director of BASF�s
Styropor EPS business in North America. He added that Styropor
EPS foam recently received the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality
Certified� designation from Air Quality Sciences, Inc., as a
low-emitting material that helps manufacturers create healthier
and safer indoor environments.
More information on Styropor EPS is available on the Internet at
www.plasticsportal.com/usa
or
www.styroporeps.com. The Internet site for American
PolySteel, LLC, is
www.polysteel.com
American PolySteel, LLC � We�re Building A Better World
Headquartered in Albuquerque, N.M., American PolySteel has been
manufacturing superior insulating concrete forms since 1978.
Networks of distributors are working with homeowners, builders,
and architects, creating superior, energy efficient homes, and
commercial buildings.
BASF � The Chemical Company. We don�t make a lot of the products
you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.�
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North
American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. We employ
about 11,000 people in North America and had sales of
approximately $9 billion in 2003. For more information about
BASF�s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news
releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.
BASF is the world�s leading chemical company. Our goal is to grow
profitably and further increase the value of our company. We help
our customers to be more successful through intelligent system
solutions and high-quality products. BASF�s portfolio ranges from
chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products
and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. Through new
technologies we can tap into additional market opportunities. We
conduct our business in accordance with the principles of
sustainable development. In 2003, BASF had sales of approximately
$42 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in
Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and
Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the
Internet at www.basf.com.
Slogan and Styropor are registered trademarks of BASF.
PolySteel and PolyPro are trademarks of American PolySteel, LLC.
GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified is a registered trademark
of Air Quality Sciences, Inc.
For more information, contact:
David A. Elliott
BASF
Tel: (734) 324-6148
E-mail: [email protected]
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