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Knauf Introduces Ecose Biobased Binder

At the 2008 Greenbuild convention, Knauf Insulation showcased its new EcoBatt fiberglass insulation made with Ecose Technology, a formaldehyde-free binder made from an unspecified biobased material. Because Knauf would not provide any additional information on the raw materials or process due to patent concerns, the novelty of the product and its environmental impacts are difficult to judge. But according to Scott Miller, director of public affairs and sustainability at Knauf, Ecose performs as well as, or better than, traditional thermoset resins such as phenol formaldehyde, yet does not contain any petroleum derivatives. “Insulation is inherently sustainable, but we’ve taken it to a whole new level by reducing the embodied energy in the binder by 70% [compared to petroleum-based binders],” said Miller.

Ecobatt has the same sound transmission and R-values as Knauf’s conventional fiberglass and passes all industry performance standards for insulation. The fiberglass does not contain any dyes, giving it a unique mottled brown appearance. In addition, the binder is inert, helping EcoBatt meet Greenguard Children and Schools and California’s Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) indoor air quality standards. Currently, EcoBatt is available only in the Pacific Northwest, but it will have wider distribution in the West by the beginning of 2009, and Knauf says it will convert all of its insulation products to Ecose by the end of 2009. Despite the five years of research that went into this binder, Ecose products are expected to cost the same as Knauf’s conventional fiberglass.

– Brent Ehrlich

For more information:

Knauf Insulation
Shelbyville, Indiana
800-825-4434, 317-398-4434
www.ecobatt.us

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IMAGE CREDITS:
1. Photo: Knauf Insulation

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