Insulation materials free from climate-damaging substances

In the past, insulating materials made of XPS and PUR/PIR were foamed with blowing agents from the (H)CFC family. After the prohibition of (H)CFCs by the Montreal Protocol (because of their destructive effect on the stratospheric ozone layer), the chemically close group of HFCs was used, which, although no longer having ozone-damaging properties, like (H)CFCs are extremely effective as greenhouse gases (GWP100 in the order of 10³). Although the use is restricted but not completely excluded by national laws such as the Austrian HFC-FKW-SF6 Regulation, Federal Law Gazette II 447/2002 igF. A distinction is made between two requirements.

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i. Free from (H)HFC and (H)CFC substance (GWP > 300)
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ii. Free from fully or partially halogenated organic compounds (e.g. HFC, HCFC, PFC or CFC) with a GWP > 1 (more stringent requirement)


proof:
- Manufacturer's confirmation including information on the propellant and its GWP
- For thermal insulation materials, the criterion is deemed to be fulfilled, inter alia, if the products are awarded the Austrian eco-label according to IP 43 (from 2015 edition).


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