Currently in the spray foam industry, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) based blowing agents, such as HFC-245fa, HFC-365mfc and others, are commonly used in many ccSPF systems for both commercial/residential roofing and wall applications. However, given the focus on reducing climate impact due to global warming, HFC blowing agents are gradually being phased out in North America and in other parts of the world. For example, the U.S. EPA announced its decision on July 20, 2015 to eventually restrict the use of high-global-warming HFCs in a variety of applications including foam insulation blowing agents.
Designed to replace HFC blowing agents in spray foam systems and other applications, Honeywell offers a new foam blowing agent,
Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent, based on its hydro-fluoro-olefin (HFO) technology. Solstice LBA provides foam performance advantages while dramatically reducing climate impact. It allows spray foam manufacturers to cost-effectively meet current and future energy efficiency and environmental regulations, while improving thermal performance. Solstice LBA is a non-ozone depleting, fourth-generation blowing agent with a global warming potential of 1, which is 99.9% lower than previous-generation HFC blowing agents it replaces and equal to carbon dioxide. Solstice LBA is nonflammable (ASTM E-681), listed under the U.S. EPA’s SNAP Program, listed on the TSCA inventory and is VOC-exempt (per U.S. EPA).
In addition, some of the benefits of closed-cell spray foam systems formulated with Solstice LBA compared to HFCs include: increased foam yields by 8-10%, excellent sprayability across a wide temperature range (this can extend the spraying season), improved thermal performance by up to 10%, improved foam adhesion, better consistency, reduced gun clogging and a smoother surface finish.
Enovate® 245fa (HFC-245fa) is a nonflammable, non-ozone-depleting foam blowing agent and is Honeywell’s longstanding, proven technology for closed-cell spray foam. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists Enovate under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) as a suitable replacement for ozone depleting substances in all foam applications. Enovate 245fa has been successfully used by many spray foam manufacturers and systems houses as a replacement for HCFC-141b (being phased out per the Montreal Protocol) and other fluorocarbon and non-fluorocarbon foam blowing agents.
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Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA)
Our new Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA) provides insulation with lower environmental impact than current materials. With a low global warming potential (GWP) of 1, Solstice LBA is a superior choice for use in spray polyurethane foam insulation.
Solstice LBA for spray foam provides an ideal replacement for HFC-245fa and represents the “next generation” of foam blowing agent technology.
Solstice LBA for spray foam offers:
- Improved k-factor – 2-4% better than foams made with HFC-245fa
- Higher solubility in polyol blends
- Lower vapor pressure in polyol blends
Solstice LBA foam quality vs. HFC-245fa:
- Smaller cell size
- Improved dimensional stability
- Better compressive strength
Also, be sure to ask about Solstice® Gas Blowing Agent for low-pressure one and two component systems.
Contact us to learn more about Honeywell Solstice blowing agents in spray foam insulation.
