PROKLIMA I CHINA
Converting XPS Foam Production from
F-Gases to Climate-Friendly CO -Technology
2
Background
Project Description
In China, the market for extruded polystyrene (XPS)
foam used in building insulation increased the last years
at double digit growth rates due to the fast rise of the
economy and the associated construction boom. This
growth in the market for insulation is brought about
by new regulations on building insulation as part of
the Chinese energy efficiency programme. Currently,
Chinese XPS-producing companies are using
fluorinated blowing agents such as the ozone-depleting
HCFCs or their HFC-alternatives which are both
significantly contributing to climate change due to their
high global warming potential (GWP).
Using climate-friendly blowing agents such as CO2 and
ethanol is a viable alternative. However, to introduce
this technology, adequate training equipment and
capacity building for students and engineers is vital.
Within the project activities, a new production line for
XPS foam has been installed at the site of the company
Beijing Beipeng New Building Materials Co. Ltd., near
Beijing. The plant demonstrates the use of environmentally friendly CO2 as blowing agent instead of
fluorinated gases. It has a capacity of producing
4,320 tonnes of insulation foam annually to be used by
the Chinese construction industry.
The experiences gained within this pilot project are
shared with other companies in the sector through a
close cooperation with the China Plastics Processing
Industry Association and with the help of two
universities in Beijing. The two universities are now
equipped each with a laboratory extruder in order to
study the optimisation of the production process
technology and know-how including development of
specific raw materials to enhance quality. They will
also work on guidelines and training materials relevant
for the production of XPS foam. Furthermore, a safety
review is being done in order to verify the applicability
of EU industrial standards to Chinese regulations.
Project Impact
The project proves that CO2 technology can produce
the required high-quality XPS foam with an attractive
profit and thereby achieve a short pay-back period for
the relatively high investment costs. Verification of
the foams in Europe showed compliance with EU
standards.
Through the provision of extrusion equipment for
training and experimenting at the two universities,
students and engineers are gaining sound knowledge
on using natural blowing agents in XPS production.
The project targets reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions through the permanent replacement of
the greenhouse gases HCFC-142b and HCFC-22 as
blowing agents in the manufacturing of XPS foam.
Calculations predict a direct emission avoidance of
approx. 1.6 million tonnes CO2 equivalent based on an
annual production of 4,320 tonnes XPS (or 135,000
m3) which equals to 370 tonnes CO2e/t XPS.
The experience gained from this demonstration project
will be used in China’s HCFC phase-out plan under
the Montreal Protocol and has had a significant influence on the decisions taken at national level towards
a nationwide conversion to natural blowing agents in
XPS foam production. There will be at least 18 production lines converted to CO2 under the Montreal
Protocol. In addition, the company Beipeng has bought
another production line with their own funds for a new
production site in the city of Tianjin.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Programme Proklima
Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5
65760 Eschborn, Germany
T+ 49 61 96 79 - 1022
F+ 49 61 96 79 - 80 1022
[email protected]
I www.giz.de/proklima
Title Converting XPS foam production from f-gases to
climate-friendly CO2 technology
Country People’s Republic of China
Sector Foam industry
Objective Conversion of XPS foam production in China
Target Group Beijing Beipeng New Building Materials Co. Ltd;
Chinese producers of XPS insulation foams; China Plastics
Processing Industry Association; technical institutes; technical
committees of international environmental agreements
Project Executing Organization BMU (German Federal Ministry
for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety)
Implementing Partner Organization Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH; Chinese Ministry
of Environmental Protection/Foreign Economic Cooperation
Office (MEP/FECO)
Project Approval October 2008
Project Duration Until October 2012
Project Budget EUR 3,089,342
Funds The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry
for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
within the framework of the International Climate Initiative
based on a decision of the German Federal Parliament.
Impact on Ozone Layer and Climate Protection
With an estimated annual production of 4,320 tonnes XPS
panels, approx. 1.6 million tonnes CO2e of direct emissions
will be avoided.
Through the replacement of the blowing agent, 47 tonnes
ODP will be avoided.
Contact Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Programme Proklima,
Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5, 65760 Eschborn, Germany
Email: [email protected]