Enovate® Blowing Agent Helps Restore Permanent Roof for Louisiana Superdome

New Orleans, LA - The 9.7 acre-roof of the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Honeywell?s Enovate® zero ozone-depleting blowing agent will help restore the permanent roof of the high-profile sports venue.

The rigid, closed-cell spray foam will form a seamless seal that grips the roof surface, including any irregular shapes or penetrations.

Traditional roofing materials often guarantee resistance to gale force winds, or sustained winds of roughly 40 mph. The new spray foam roof on the Superdome is guaranteed by the spray foam manufacturer to resist hurricane force winds. Historically, approximately 75 percent of the U.S. mainland experiences winds of 40 mph or greater, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization.

Ken Gayer, business director for Honeywell foam insulation blowing agents, said that closed-cell polyurethane has proven structural advantages under the most extreme weather conditions.

"From Hurricanes Andrew to Hugo to Frances, commercial and residential buildings sprayed with polyurethane foam have performed exceptionally well in terms of resisting short- and long-term damage from the effects of wind and flood," he said.

Honeywell Enovate is a hydrofluorocarbon that allows closed-cell insulation to be sprayed on and provides the majority of the foam's insulation properties.

BaySystems North America, a subsidiary of Bayer MaterialScience LLC, will supply the polyurethane foam system. Brazos Urethane Inc., a contractor based in Texas City, Texas, will apply the foam system to the metal roof decking of the 70,000-seat domed stadium. Brazos, who completed a temporary closed-cell spray foam roof in October 2005, expects to complete the permanent roof by September, in time for the home opener for the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

Closed-cell spray foam insulation also is used for residential wall applications. The material offers homes a wide range of advantages and benefits, including reduced air infiltration, better moisture and condensation control, better structural integrity and less energy usage for heating and cooling. Such homes also can be served by smaller heating and air conditioning units and, in most cases, a separate vapor barrier is not necessary.

For more information on Honeywell Enovate blowing agents, visit http://www.honeywell.com/sites/sm/chemicals/enovate