Insulati o n
Third Issue
November 2016
See rear cover for applicable countries
Same on the outside,
different on the inside
GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL AND OZONE DEPLETION
POTENTIAL OF DIFFERENT PIR INSULATION
ODP
Low Energy –
Low Carbon Buildings
Global Warming Potential and Ozone Depletion
Potential of Different PIR Insulation
CFCs, HCFs, HCFCs & PIR Insulation
What is Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)?
It is important to understand that, whilst reducing the energy
consumption and related carbon dioxide emissions, of a
building, thermal insulation and pre-insulated ductwork panels
can negatively impact on climate change and ozone depletion,
if they are not manufactured in a responsible way.
CFCs, HCFCs and other substances released into the
atmosphere can react with the ozone layer in a negative way.
A molecule of chlorine can react with the ozone and catalyse
the conversion of ozone molecules into oxygen. One chlorine
atom has the potential to destroy more than 100,000 ozone
molecules. This is the process of ozone depletion and has
already caused a substantial amount of damage to the
ozone layer.
Blowing agents are typically used to enhance the thermal
performance of PIR insulation, by filling the cells within the
insulation with a low thermal conductivity gas. This gas can be
released into the atmosphere through various channels, such
as during the manufacture of the product, during transit or
after the product is ceased to be used.
Blowing agents used in the manufacture of PIR insulation
products, such as CFCs HCFCs and HFCs, can accelerate
climate change and ozone depletion if they are released into
the atmosphere.
A blowing agents’ impact on ozone depletion and climate
change is characterised by its Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
or Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Figure 1: Hole in the ozone layer: 2016
ODP is the ratio of ability of a substance to degrade ozone, to
that of chlorofluorocarbon-11 (CFC-11), which therefore, has
a value of 1. HCFC-141b has an ODP of 0.11,10 times less
degrading than CFC-11. Other substances, such as Pentane,
have an ODP of zero., i.e. they do no harm to the ozone layer.
What is Global Warming Potential (GWP)?
GWP is the ratio of ability of a substance to trap heat in the
atmosphere, to that of carbon dioxide. The more heat the gas
traps, the bigger its potential to contribute to global warming.
A GWP is calculated over a specific time interval, commonly
20, 100 or 500 years. CFC-11 has a GWP, over 100 years, of
4,250, HCFC-141b has a GWP of 725, HFCs have a GWP of
up to 1,640 and Pentane has a GWP of below 5.
2
The Montreal Protocol
Measuring CFC/HCFC content
The Vienna Convention, which took place over 30 years ago,
enabled international co-operation in researching the effects
of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) on the ozone layer, and
was the basis on which the Montreal Protocol was produced
in September, 1987. At the time, twenty four countries and the
European Economic Community signed the Protocol, which
requires the reduction and eventual phasing out of CFCs and
other ODSs, such as HCFCs.
The facts surrounding the impact of CFCs and HCFCs are well
known by manufacturers with many claiming that their products
are ‘CFC/HCFC-free’. However, following some recent tests,
undertaken at All Futtaim Exova LLC, Kingspan Insulation has
discovered that some U.A.E. manufactured products continue
to contain both CFCs and HCFCs. The results are shown in the
table below.
One method of measuring CFC, HCFC and HFC content of
any cellular foam, is to perform a cell gas analysis. This can be
performed using static headspace gas chromatography (GC).
In 1989, Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol was developed.
This allowed developing countries to become part of the action
against ozone depletion, by setting different, but attainable,
targets for these countries to meet. Article 5 countries within
the GCC include U.A.E., Qatar and Oman.
During this process, a headspace extractor is used to take a
sample of the blowing agent (gas) from inside the cells of the
foam material. These samples of the insulation are placed in a
glass vial and sealed. The glass vials are heated, which causes
the blowing agent to dissipate once the temperature reaches
a certain point. A needled syringe is then pushed through the
seal to extract a sample of the blowing agent. The sample is
injected into the chromatograph and analysed. This determines
the composition of the blowing agents inside the material.
CFCs should now have been phased out by all countries
that signed the Montreal Protocol. HCFCs have only been
completely phased out by Non-Article 5 countries, but their
complete phase out in Article 5 countries is imminent.
As such, many PIR insulation manufacturers in U.A.E.,
Qatar and Oman may have turned to HCFCs or HFCs as an
interim blowing agent. However, this product has a high GWP
and could impact negatively on climate change.
Furthermore, following the 28th meeting in Rwanda in October
2016, the Montreal Protocol was amended to not only include
Ozone Depleting Substances, but also substances deemed
to have a high Global Warming Potential. This led to the
subsequent agreement that HFCs would also be phased out
under the Montreal Protocol.
The dates agreed are different for Article 5 and Non-article
5 countries, with Article 5 countries further being split into
two groups. The U.A.E, Qatar and Oman have committed to
creating a baseline between 2020 – 2022, with a freeze in
2024 and phase out by 2045.
Sample
Claim
CFC Detected
HCFC Detected
Sample from U.A.E. Manufacturer 1
CFC/HCFC-free
None
HCFC 141b
Sample from U.A.E. Manufacturer 2
CFC/HCFC-free
CFC-11
HCFC 141b
Sample from U.A.E. Manufacturer 3
CFC/HCFC-free
None
HCFC 141b
Sample from U.A.E. Manufacturer 4
CFC/HCFC-free
CFC-11
HCFC 141b
Kingspan PalDuct Hydro Panel
CFC/HCFC-free
None
None
Table 1: CFC/HCFC content of panels, used for fabricating pre-insulated ductwork, manufactured within the U.A.E.
3
Illegal Trade in Ozone Depleting
Substances
Local Guidance
Within the Dubai Municipalities guidance document which
enforces the phase-out of CFCs and HCFCs entitled “Technical
Guideline Number 7: Policy on the control of Ozone Depleting
Substances”, insulation manufacturers should have ceased the
use of CFCs and their use should have been phased out by
the start of 2010. This document ensures compliance with the
obligations of Montreal Protocol for Article 5 countries.
Clearly, from our findings, we can see that there is illegal trade
in ODSs being undertaken in the U.A.E. and this illegal trade is
not unknown globally. It is widely accepted that the illegal trade
of ODSs is undertaken through false labelling, mis-declaration
of documents, concealment, false recycled materials and
transhipment fraud.
As such, under the Montreal Protocol the Informal Prior
Informed Content Mechanism (iPIC), Article 7 and Article 4b
were developed. Aimed at monitoring, licensing and import/
export data of new, used, recycled and reclaimed controlled
substances. However, there are clearly some imports slipping
through the net and there have been many instances recorded
since the complete phase-out in 2010 of CFCs.
Within Dubai Municipalities guidance document, Al Sa’fat,
Dubai Green Building Evaluation System, thermal and
acoustical insulation materials must be manufactured without
the use of CFCs.
Additionally, within Al Sa’fat, heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) equipment must contain refridgerants with
zero ODP and a GWP of less than 100.
4
Kingspan PalDuct Hydro a CFC/HCFC-free Product
Kingspan PalDuct Hydro Panels
comprise a fibre-free high performance
rigid thermoset polyisocyanurate (PIR)
insulation core, faced on both sides with an embossed
aluminium foil. The aluminium foil is lacquered with corrosion
resistant polymer varnish.
Within the Estidama Rating Systems, 1 credit point is available
if all thermal insulation materials used have an Ozone Depletion
Potential of zero (ODP=0) and a Global Warming Potential of
less than 5 (GWP ≤ 5). This includes all blowing agents used
in the manufacture of the insulation, but also, all those used
to spray it in place, if required.
Property
Kingspan KoolDuct ™ Panels, Kingspan
PalDuct Hydro Panels, all products in the
Kingspan Kooltherm Range, the Kingspan
Therma™ range and the Kingspan Styrozone™
N-range and are manufactured with
blowing agents that are deemed to have,
or have, a zero Ozone Depletion Potential
(ODP) and a Global Warming Potential
(GWP) <5.
Value
20PH80
30PH200
Product Thickness
(mm)
20
30
Product Dimensions
(mm)
4000 x 1200
4000 x 1200
Density
(kg/m3)
50 ± 5
50 ± 5
Thermal Conductivity
(mm)
0.020
0.020
Table 2: Kingspan PalDuct Hydro Panels product data
The core is manufactured with a CFC/HCFC-free blowing
agent, which has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and
Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 5.
Kingspan PalDuct Hydro Panel
5
Prestige Projects
Project Name: Four Seasons - Al Maryah Island
Location:
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Building Use: Hotel
Product:
The Kingspan PalDuct Hydro System
6
Project Name: Khalifa University
Location:
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Building Use: Education
Product:
The Kingspan PalDuct Hydro System
7
Kingspan Insulation LLC reserves the right to amend product specifications without prior notice. Product thicknesses shown in this document should not be taken as being available ex–stock and
advice should be sought directly from Kingspan Insulation LLC. The information, technical details and fixing instructions etc. included in this literature are given in good faith and apply to uses described
herein. Recommendations for use should be verified as to the suitability and compliance with actual requirements, specifications and any applicable codes, laws and regulations. For other applications
or conditions of use, contact Kingspan Insulation LLC. Advice should be sought for uses of Kingspan Insulation products that are not specifically described herein. The fire tests referenced in this
literature and the assigned results are not intended to reflect hazards presented by the materials and products described herein under actual fire conditions. Please check that your copy of the literature
is current by visiting www.kingspaninsulation.com.
Kingspan Insulation LLC
P.O. Box 113826, Dubai Investment Park 2, Dubai, U.A.E.
Tel: +971 4 889 1000 Fax: +971 4 883 8515
[email protected]
www.kingspaninsulation.com
Countries comprise: all of Africa; South and Central America except Mexico; the Caribbean; the Middle East and Asia as far north and east (and including) Turkey,
Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
TM
Kingspan, KoolDuct, Kooltherm, Therma, Styrozone the Pal Device and the Lion Device are Trademarks of the Kingspan Group plc.