NUDURA Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

ECO-FRIENDLY BENEFITS

NUDURA Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) more commonly known as “foam” and other expanded plastics are an integral part of everyday life. They are used in the manufacturing of insulated panels and concrete forms for houses, for insulating the underside of roads, for protecting furniture, appliances and electronic equipment, and in sports equipment, automobiles and many other products. These plastics offer many advantages. For example, as it is composed of only 2% matter and 98% air, EPS is light, is an excellent thermal insulator, has little impact on loading weight and is shock resistant. Due to its composition, it is stable and retains all its properties over time. It is an inorganic and rot-proof material, it can be handled without danger to health and it does not contain CFC’s or HCFC’s (damaging to the ozone layer). All these reasons and more make expanded plastic products a logical choice for a wide range of projects.

IMPORTANT FACT

Contrary to popular belief, expanded polystyrene (EPS) and expanded polypropylene (EPP) are, in fact, eco-friendly materials; they help protect forests by serving as a replacement for wood and cardboard. EPS and EPP are 100% Recyclable and contain Recycled Materials in the majority of manufactured products.

IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE*

Like other building materials (wood, wool, paper, etc.) EPS burns and releases energy, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapour and soot, but no other gas
The black smoke produced when EPS burns has proved to be less harmful than that of organic materials
These fumes are much less toxic than those released by fir, pine chipboard or expanded cork

EPS AND THE ENVIRONMENT**

Only 0.2% of European crude oil consumption goes toward producing polystyrene. Using polystyrene in place of non-plastic materials saves more oil than the quantity required to manufacture it
40–50% of goods are packed with plastics, but this is only 10% of the total weight of all types of packaging
EPS can be recycled up to 20 times without any degradation of its physical properties

EPS VS. CARDBOARD PACKAGING***

EPS requires just one-sixth the energy it takes to produce cardboard
Critical airflow volume shows EPS has a lower air pollution total
EPS has a lower global warming potential (GWP) than cardboard
You would have to produce up to 20 times more EPS to achieve the same level of water pollution as cardboard
Waste volume of EPS is higher than cardboard, but recycling technologies are lowering these figures at an increasing rate

MATERIAL BENEFITS****

EPS is 98% air and only 2% material.
With its insulating properties, it saves on energy costs and reduces CO2 emissions
EPS is extremely lightweight, which reduces fuel consumption during transportation
EPS is 100% reusable and has a controlled life cycle

New Zealand Green Building Council

NUDURA has documentation required to provide the necessary information for a project that complies with requirements for Home Star and Green Star rating. For more information contact us info@energyefficientbuilding.co.nz

* Study by AFIPEB and by center for fire safety afipeb.org/promopse/isolant-maison-pse.html
** Packscope no. 30, 02/2007 (Packaging Chemicals Total)
*** Study by BASF
**** www.ecopse.fr/page.asp?idp=10