Mechanical insulation is an inherently green technology—greener, in fact, than almost all other material components used in the built environment—because it saves more energy than it takes to produce and helps to reduce—or prevent—CO2 emissions. Now, companies in our industry are taking the sustainability discussion a step further, using recycled materials from outside sources to create their products; reusing or recycling the materials they use in manufacturing and distributing their products; or finding other ways to reduce waste, save energy, and decarbonize their operations.

NIA invited all manufacturer member companies to share their recycling efforts with Insulation Outlook readers. In this special section, responses and graphics received from seven companies are presented (in alphabetical order): Armacell; CertainTeed; Ideal Products; Johns Manville; Knauf Insulation, Inc.; Owens Corning; and ROCKWOOL. Click on the photo to read the article.

If your organization is looking for ways to reduce waste and CO2 emissions, perhaps the information presented will help you identify steps you can take. And if your company has its own sustainability program in place, please feel free to share details with us. Send a description of your green practices to editor@insulation.org.

Documenting How Green Insulation Products Are

Reducing energy use and carbon emissions are global problems, and some of the proposed solutions are in the clouds. The answer is actually very down-to-earth and common—insulation. Insulation allows systems to function using less energy, therefore producing less carbon and GHG emissions. Aside from preventing CO₂ emissions and providing thermal control, the different types of mechanical insulation give end users a spectrum of added benefits, including reducing dependence on foreign oil, safety and protection of personnel, fire and life safety, noise reduction, moisture resistance, and corrosion mitigation. Insulation products are the key to a greener building and a cleaner world, and manufacturers can prove it! The February 2023 issue is devoted to understanding Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

Last fall, NIA invited all manufacturer member companies offering EPDs to share the products it covers with Insulation Outlook readers. In this special section, responses and product images received from three companies are presented (in alphabetical order): AEROFLEX USA, Armacell, and Knauf Insulation, Inc.

If your company missed the request or is now offering an EPD, email editor@insulation.org to let us know by April 1, 2023.

Call for Participants

We also welcome all NIA members to contact us to participate in our next section to educate readers on what technical and product services are offered free of charge to end users.