The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) is an educational and technical resource for the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) industry. It has recently announced the completion of three universal spray polyurethane foam formulations based on ISO standard life cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declaration (EPD). 5-year update including open-cell, closed-cell and roof foam. The 2018 update was jointly completed with thinkstep (formerly known as PE International) and also includes a fourth product type: low-voltage two-component closed-cell insulation and sealant foam. In addition, two, rather than a single, EPD have been published, in line with the development of the spray polyurethane foam industry, combining blowing agents with low global warming potential (GWP).
Rick Duncan, Technical Director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, said: "In 2013, SPFA was the first industry association to develop and publish a spray industry of polyurethane foam that is industry-wide, ISO-compliant, life cycle assessment and environmental product declarations. It's critical because it both brings trends to our LCA and EPD and addresses a major shift in our industry towards more environmentally friendly blowing agents, which has greatly reduced the negative impact on the planet and the climate. "
Working with thinkstep and its GaBI database, SPFA's original 2013 LCA project includes three types of SPF products: open-cell low-density insulation, closed-cell medium-density insulation, and roof foam. Current updates by SPFA and thinkstep based on ISO requirements, including mandatory 5-year updates to LCA and EPD documents. The update complies with the new 2018 Insulation Product Classification Rule (PCR), which includes the original product type, and some new additions, including a fourth product type that represents low-voltage two-component closed-cell insulation and sealant foam.
In addition, with the industry's transition to low GWP blowing agents, two independent EPDs have been completed. One EPD includes an HFC-based foaming agent for closed-cell foam, while the second EPD includes an HFO-based (low GWP) foaming agent. Under the new PCR requirements, an appendix to each EPD will include a list of participating manufacturers and applicable products.
EPD leverages the results of LCA to allow spray polyurethane foam contractors to assist sustainable building designers in obtaining leading sustainable building projects for spray foam insulation and roofing material use. To name a few, these programs include the LEED4 program of the US Green Building Council, international green building codes, and green earth. For example, the current LEED4 program enables building design to earn 1/4 point for using LCA; 1/2 point for products using general EPD (such as products from SPFA); 1 for products using product-specific EPD from material suppliers point.
EPD can also be used as general support information for customers who wish to use "green" products.