New blowing agent helps improve environmental performance of foam
MAASTRICHT, THE NETHERLANDS, March 31, 2009 – Honeywell (NYSE: HON)
announced today it is developing a new low-global-warming-potential blowing
agent for energy-efficient polyurethane foam insulation.
The announcement was made at the UTECH Europe conference and expo held in
Maastricht, The Netherlands, where polyurethane industry leaders gather every
three years to discuss issues and opportunities facing the industry.
“This product is another example of how our expanding low-global-warming
product portfolio is both meeting our customers’ needs and providing superior
environmental performance,” said Rene Mueller, managing director for Europe,
the Middle East and Africa for Honeywell Fluorine Products. “Honeywell is
committed to building on its strong history of innovation to meet new
challenges.”
The new blowing agent being developed is a non-flammable liquid that will
assist customers in reducing the overall environmental impact of foam.
Honeywell expects the blowing agent will offer performance benefits comparable
to those of other fluorocarbons, but with a low global-warming-potential that
is less than 15. In addition, the blowing agent will have an atmospheric
lifetime of just a few days. These properties are expected to result in lower
greenhouse gas emissions impact on the environment while also providing the
foam’s high insulation performance, dimensional stability and compressive
strength.
The non-flammable liquid blowing agent will provide customers with an
alternative to hydrocarbons and traditional hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Honeywell expects the product will be available in limited sample quantities
for customers later this year.
Polyurethane foam is primarily used as a cost-effective and highly
energy-efficient insulation for appliances and homes, as well as for commercial
roofing systems. Blowing agents allow foam to expand and provide many of the
foam’s key performance characteristics, including its high R-value, which is
the measure of insulating capability. Fluorinated blowing agents provide the
highest degree of thermal insulation for polyurethane foams.
Honeywell is a recognized innovator in high-performance blowing agent
technology for closed-cell foam insulation and advanced energy-efficiency
refrigerants for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as other
heat transfer fluid applications. Honeywell has consistently helped
manufacturers replace ozone-depleting and global warming substances, improving
the energy efficiency of stationary air conditioning systems. Honeywell has
ongoing research and development efforts to develop environmentally superior
solutions for customers around the world.
In 2006, Honeywell introduced its low-GWP portfolio, which is based on
hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology. Last year, Honeywell commercialized
HFO-1234ze, a low-GWP gaseous blowing agent for one-component foam in Europe.
Honeywell has also announced a low-GWP refrigerant for mobile
air-conditioning.
For more information about Honeywell's low-GWP blowing agent, please visit http://www51.honeywell.com/sm/lgwp-uk.
Honeywell Specialty Materials, based in Morristown, N.J., is a $5.3 billion
global leader in providing customers with high-performance specialty materials,
including fluorine products; specialty films and additives; advanced fibers and
composites; intermediates; specialty chemicals; electronic materials and
chemicals; and technologies and materials for petroleum refining.
Honeywell International is a $37 billion diversified technology and
manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and
services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive
products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township,
N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock
Exchanges. For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com.
This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than
statements of fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or
our management intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur
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Media Contacts:
U.S.:
Nina Krauss
973-455-4253
nina.krauss@honeywell.com
Europe:
Sabine Chmielewski
+49 (0) 5137 -999-9411
sabine.chmielewski@honeywell.com