Frequently Asked Questions - Resource Center

Featured Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Neopor® Biomass Balance (BMB), and how is it related to the concept of low embodied carbon?

According to the US Department of Energy, embodied carbon is “the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials and products over the entire life cycle of a building, not including the operations or use phase” (Embodied Carbon Reduction in New Construction).

Neopor® Biomass Balance (BMB) is graphite polystyrene (GPS) insulation with a raw material product carbon footprint of zero (cradle to gate) – so it offsets the carbon in the product stage (A1-A3) of the building lifecycle, including the raw materials supply, the transport and the manufacturing of the Neopor® resin beads. It offers the same features as BASF’s standard Neopor®, but with added sustainability benefits.

The raw material of Neopor® BMB has a product carbon footprint of zero, which is the result of replacing up to 100% of the fossil resources required towards its production with renewable raw materials, reducing the need for virgin fossil feedstock. This allows more fossil fuels to stay in the ground, as renewable feedstocks take their place. BASF’s biomass balance approach helps protect the environment by reducing CO2 emissions, while still delivering the proven product quality and performance properties you expect from Neopor®.

Bottom line: Standard Neopor® GPS insulation promotes energy efficiency within the building envelope, helping to reduce operational carbon emissions. Neopor® GPS BMB delivers the same high-performance benefits, while offering a lower embodied carbon solution (a raw material carbon footprint of zero)—optimizing sustainability and maximizing building footprint efficiency. Both standard Neopor® and Neopor® BMB can earn points under the LEED® Energy Performance Process. (Neopor Residential Brochure).

Topics: Residential Construction, Commercial Construction, Sustainability

Q. Where can Neopor® and Neopor® BMB insulation be used?

Neopor® and Neopor® BMB insulation can be used in commercial, residential, institutional and industrial construction projects, for both retrofit projects and new builds.

Neopor® and Neopor® BMB insulation can be used in the following applications:

Interior insulation and exterior insulation;
Above grade wall insulation;
Roof and attic insulation (flat and pitched roofing insulation)
Below-grade insulation (basement, underslab and perimeter)

Wall types where Neopor® and Neopor® BMB are used include:

Continuous insulation
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS)
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Sources: Neopor Commercial Brochure and Neopor Residential Brochure

Topics: Residential Construction, Commercial Construction, Sustainability, Resilient construction

Q. What are some of key benefits of Neopor® graphite polystyrene (GPS), for both standard Neopor® and Neopor® BMB?

Stability and Durability: Neopor® graphite polystyrene (GPS) is adaptable in size, thickness, shape and density, providing maximum flexibility and durability. Compared to polymer-based foams like extruded polystyrene (XPS) that use fluorocarbons as an expansion agent and insulating gas, Neopor® uses air. This means Neopor® maintains its R-value performance at its original level and does not deteriorate over time, a phenomenon called “Thermal Drift”.
Fire Resistivity: Neopor® has been tested as part of NFPA 285 and NFPA 286 compliant assemblies with a wide range of weather barriers, air barriers, and claddings (NFPA 285 Wall Assemblies, Neopor Commercial Brochure).
Moisture Management: Neopor® is a breathable and semi-permeable high-performance insulation that helps reduce the risk of mold, rot and structural damage associated with moisture condensation and long-term water retention. As an assembly component or stand-alone application, it provides an opportunity for moisture to ‘dry out’.
Adaptable to all climate zones: Insulating external walls with Neopor® increases the temperature of their inside surfaces which helps create a better indoor climate. Neopor® also powers up when it gets cold outside, meaning it increases in R-value as the temperature outside drops (Neopor KF2000 Brochure).
Resource Efficient: Neopor® uses up to 30% less material than other rigid foam insulation like standard white EPS and XPS to achieve the same R-value, saving on building materials and installation labor. Neopor® boards are thinner than other rigid foam insulations so the same effect is achieved with less material.
Third-party validated and certified: As demonstrated in the EC3 Tool, bot standard Neopor® and Neopor® BMB have lower carbon footprints than any rigid insulation available in North America, and are GREENGUARD Gold certified for indoor air quality. Neopor® GPS has achieved GREENGUARD Gold Certification by UL Environment for products with low chemical emissions based on UL2818, GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials.

Source: Neopor Residential Brochure and Neopor Commercial Brochure

Topics: Residential Construction, Commercial Construction, Sustainability, Fire Safety, Resilient construction

Q. What is graphite polystyrene (GPS) foam sheathing, including standard Neopor® GPS and Neopor® BMB GPS?

Neopor® Graphite Polystyrene (GPS) Foam Sheathing Insulation is a type of expanded polystyrene (EPS) that incorporates graphite particles. This insulation features a closed-cell structure, where countless tiny air pockets are embedded within a polymer matrix. The graphite particles are integrated into the cell walls, allowing the material to absorb and reflect radiant heat – much like a mirror. This reflective property significantly enhances the insulation’s thermal resistance, resulting in a higher R-value.

Thus, the graphite in GPS provides a functional benefit compared to standard white EPS insulation without graphite, by radiating a higher amount of infrared heat energy back and slowing heat loss through walls.

For example, Neopor® GPS uses up to 30% less material than other conventional rigid foam insulation (like EPS and XPS) to achieve the same R-value, saving on building material cost and installation labor (Neopor Residential Brochure). This improved insulation performance can keep homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, delivering energy savings and lowering the utility bills of a building.

GPS rigid foam insulation like standard Neopor® and Neopor® BMB provides maximum efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability on construction projects.

Topics: Residential Construction, Commercial Construction, Sustainability

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Roof & Attic Above Grade Walls EIFS & Stucco Interior & Basement Underslab & Perimeter Retrofitting SIPs ICFs Precast Concrete Continuous Insulation

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Neopor F 5000 Series Neopor F 5000 BMB Series Neopor F 2000 Series Neopor F 2000 BMB Series

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