Insulation markets

The use of CFCs as foam blowing agents has decreased 35% from 1986 levels. Polyurethanes, phenoHcs, extmded polystyrenes, and polyolefins are blown with CFCs, and in 1990 the building and appHance insulation markets represented about 88% of the 174,000 t of CFCs used in foams (see Foamed plastics). 

These resins have extensive appHcations in the high performance insulation markets (traction motor, wire cable) and flexible printed circuits. Du Pont supphes Kapton film and also suppHes Verpel stock shapes made from the same resin by powder sintering methods. 

Venezuela is emerging as a strong Latin American market for urethanes. A strong consumer demand and significant exports to Andean Pact countries have provided much of the growth. Continued increases in auto production, furniture/bedding, and some insulation markets should give further impetus to polyurethane demand. 

While it would be foolhardy for me to imply or suggest that isocyanurates and polyurethanes offer this country the solutions to its multi-faceted energy-related problems, I strongly believe that they represent the most cost-effective way to meet the challenges present within the shelter insulation markets of the 80s. 

The insulation markets holding tremendous potential for penetration during the current decade include commercial, industrial (retrofit and new construction), residential (retrofit and new construction) farm buildings and metal buildings. 

Cumulative Market Potential. Having defined market potential by segment, the cumulative impact, both now and through the middle of the 1980s offers significant opportunities. At present, the total potential within the defined insulation markets equals 11,685,000 square feet. As we approach the middle of the decade this potential will be 11,5 3,000,000. 

While governmental activity is anticipated to favorably impact the insulation market in this decade, there are a number of potential limiting factors relative to overall penetration. Primary among these factors are inadequate "k" factor reporting, flammability, toxicity and the influence of these factors upon insurance underwriters and code authorities. 

The challenges come from those factors that have the potential to limit penetration of insulation markets, while the opportunities for growth reside in most every segment of the marketplace. 

Fibre glass This glass is classified as either wool or textile. More than a dozen companies produce textile fibers for draperies, tyres, paper, etc. More than 80% of production is used for building insulation, the remainder for industrial equipment and pipe insulation. Growth of the insulation market has been faster than the textile area because of the demand for additional insulation in both new and existing building. 

Following a short presentation of the global need for superinsulation together with a closer look at the specific situation in the building sector, we propose within this synopsis a brief analysis of (1) the world s insulation markets, (2) superinsulating aerogel materials and their alternatives, (3) commercial aerogel insulation products available today, and (4) our estimation of their most likely applications worldwide in the future. We conclude this chapter with some first considerations on health, toxicity, and environmental aspects. 

Figure 26.3. Overview over global thermal insulation markets including projected developments and respective...

A current reference market price for a cubic meter of silica aerogel is on the order of US 4,000 (2008). With increasing commercialization, this value could drop below the US 1,500 mark by the year 2020. Lower prices will cause an equilibration or stabilization of the aerogels insulation market. The advance of organic and hybrid systems could invigorate this development process additionally. In the meantime, we shall look forward to seeing new aerogel insulation products and manufacturers appear on the markets. 

Other consumer products that can achieve these types of advantages with aerogel insulation are likely to represent the Low Hanging Fmit within the consumer insulation market. 

Glass makers are looking for some new solutions to repair their furnaces. The Cast in Place solution has already been frequently chosen on the insulation market for urgent or planned repairs. This solution exhibits several advantages ... 

SEFPRO has based this experience mostly on the Insulation Market where several furnaces have been repaired successfully worldwide. Depending on the furnace configurations, the tank walls, the bottom and even the throat can be cast. The lifetime of the fiimace after a CIP operation is almost equivalent to what can be achieved with the comparable bonded blocks. SEFPRO is able to repair a complete furnace tank in 3 working days with more than 40 tons cast. 

Thanks to a large experience on the Insulation Market with a chromium oxide cast in place solution, Saint-Gobain SEFPRO is now proposing some unique AZS and high alumina concrete solutions for tank walls, superstructure walls and forehearth repairs. Both compositions exhibit particular good mechanical, glass and vapor contact behaviors for the different furnace areas. 

The company explains that, for the thermal and acoustic insulation market, it supplies chemically bonded nonwovens, which have sealed and plain fibre surfaces with good... 

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