FOAM-TECH Switches Containers

Henri Fennell, of Foam-Tech, in North Thetford, Vermont (which

EBN first covered in 1993 as the first company to offer non-ozone-depleting rigid polyurethane foam insulation), continues to push for greener products. Using a $10,000 grant from the State of Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, the company recently

switched to refillable bulk containers for its polyol and isocyanate component chemicals instead of the industry-standard 55-gallon (210 l) drums, which could not be cleaned up enough for reuse or recycling. As a user of about 300 55-gallon drums of chemicals per year for its SuperGreen foam, the new approach represents an annual savings of about 30,000 pounds (13,600 kg) of solid waste. Fennell’s current challenge is to convince other buyers of polyurethane component chemicals to also adopt the use of refillable containers so that the chemical suppliers will continue to make this option available. (One supplier does not want to bother with the refillable containers.) For information, contact Foam-Tech at 802/333-4333 or visit

www.foam-tech.com.