While some greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide can be naturally produced, industrialization has caused a surplus of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in an excessive warming of our atmosphere. Global warming is a consequence of excess air pollutants and greenhouse gases lingering in the atmosphere, absorbing sunlight and solar radiation reflected off the Earth’s surface and ultimately producing a “greenhouse effect,” causing the planet to get warmer over time. While the immediate and longer term effects of this climate change may seem disheartening, sustainable solutions can help point to a brighter future.
BASF Neopor®GPS is a suitable HFC-free replacement to XPS in exterior wall insulation and perimeter frost protection applications based on price and performance.
There has been a global call for concrete action to be taken to slow climate change, and regulations have already been put in place to try reducing the impact of global warming. Leaders from around the world came together to address climate change in a meaningful way in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement which, depending on the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, the US may decide to rejoin. In the US, 24 States, as well as Puerto Rico, have joined forces to create the U.S. Climate Alliance, a “bipartisan coalition of governors committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.” The U.S. Climate Alliance is committed to reducing including hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs, and other short-lived climate pollutants as a critical component to meeting the climate change goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Additionally, certain end-uses of foam made using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are being banned in North America as certain U.S. States and countries have implemented new regulations in response to the global warming potential (GWP) of most HFCs. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases found in a multitude of products varying from building insulation to air-conditioning and refrigeration, introduced to replace the Class I and II ozone-depleting substances phased out under the Montreal Protocol. In November of 2019, seven states in the U.S. created pre-proposal plans to phase out HFCs. As of January 1, 2020, California, New Jersey, New York, and Washington have already began prohibiting the use of HFCs, and Vermont is scheduled to start phasing out HFCs starting in January 2021. Maryland has outlined a draft to phase out HFCs, while Connecticut has joined the U.S. Climate Alliance.
One area where HFCs may be commonly found in is XPS insulation. Certain states like California are taking action to reduce and eliminate HFC emissions. As of January 1, 2021, the use of certain HFCs in XPS will be prohibited with the exception for military or aeronautics use. By January 1st, 2025, the use of HFCs in producing XPS will be prohibited for all applications. BASF Neopor® GPS is a suitable, HFC-free replacement to XPS in both above and below grade applications based on price and performance. Further, Neopor is readily available and is locally sourced. The thermal performance of Neopor does not rely on a captive blowing agent, making it an HFC-free and long-term alternative to XPS. The Neopor difference is seen not only in its performance, but also in its industry-low carbon footprint. As more U.S. states and countries shift towards eliminate HFCs, more sustainable solutions like Neopor are reliable alternatives which avoid the need for using products having higher global warming potential, while providing consistent insulation performance over time.
| U.S. States | Efforts in Banning HFCs* | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Initial HFC ban for certain applications implemented on January 1, 2019. HFC ban in XPS insulation (except military and space) effective January 1, 2021. Bans will continue in phases through January 1, 2025. | |||
| Washington | Initial HFC ban for certain applications implemented on January 1, 2020. HFC ban in XPS insulation effective January 1, 2021. Bans will continue in phases until January 1, 2024. | |||
| Vermont | Initial HFC ban for certain applications, including in XPS insulation, will begin on January 1, 2021. HFC bans will continue in phases until January 1, 2024. | |||
| New Jersey | HFC ban for certain applications began on July 1, 2020. HFC ban in XPS insulation effective January 1, 2021. Bans will continue in phases until January 1, 2024. | |||
| New York | Initial HFC ban for certain applications, including in XPS insulation, will begin on January 1, 2021. Bans will continue in phases until January 1, 2025. | |||
| Several other states have joined the U.S. Climate Alliance and are either actively working to promulgate legislation relating to phase out HFCs or have announced commitments to phase out HFCs. | ||||
| * Disclaimer | This chart is provided solely as a summary of information on state efforts to ban HFCs. Please see state laws and regulations for complete legal requirements. | |||
What's next?
Learn more about the state developed inventory of climate and clean energy policies from the U.S. Climate Alliance members.
Calculate the carbon footprint reductions when substituting XPS with Neopor on your next project. Sign up for free to use the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) Tool.
Visit this page for frequently requested documents and tools related to using Neopor in commercial construction.