Honeywell International Inc. (HON) announced that its ultra low-global-warming-potential foam blowing agent – Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA) – aided in insulating a net-zero energy home project at Purdue University.
This is the first time in the U.S. when this next-generation technology has been used for foam wall insulation. Solstice LBA has been proven effective in insulating high-efficiency refrigerators.
The project is a joint initiative of Whirlpool Corp. (WHR) and Purdue University to convert the 2,800 square-foot residential space into a net-zero energy, water and waste structure that will be set up as a top-notch research laboratory.
The blowing agent induces closed-cell spray foam insulation to expand and provides bulk of the foam's exceptional insulating properties. Per Lapolla Industries, the company that produced the foam using Solstice LBA in spray foam systems, improved thermal performance by roughly 8–10% compared with the systems formulated with traditional hydrofluorocarbon ("HFC") blowing agents.
In addition to enhancing foam performance, Honeywell’s next-generation blowing agent also delivers environmental benefits including higher energy efficiency. Solstice LBA has 99.9% lower global warming potential than HFC foam blowing agents, making it one of the most energy-efficient insulation products presently available. Moreover, it is EPA-approved, nonflammable, and is not a volatile organic compound.
The technology will also enable spray foam manufacturers to meet current and future energy efficiency and environmental regulation requirements in a cost effective manner. It has great potential to reduce energy consumption in the industrial, residential and commercial markets.
Apart from Solstice LBA, Honeywell's Fluorine Products business also manufactures refrigerants, gaseous blowing agents, propellants, and solvents derived from Honeywell's new hydrofluoro-olefin technology that enables carbon footprint reduction without compromising on end-product performance.
Whirlpool is the first home appliance manufacturer to incorporate the Solstice LBA technology in its high-efficiency appliances in a bid to reduce the environmental impact of HFC use. The company is targeting to ensure all its U.S.-based refrigerators would use Solstice LBA for insulation by the end of this year.
Honeywell currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Other stocks that look promising and are worth a look now in the diversified operations industry include Federal Signal Corp. (FSS), and ITT Corporation. (ITT), each sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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