Gulf Construction Online - Canada’s Icynene arrives in the GCC

Insulation

Icynene systems have been developed integrating building science into real-life conditions.

Canada’s Icynene arrives in the GCC

01 December 2005

Canada-based Rabbani Enter-prise, the licensed distributor for the innovative insulating system – Icynene – in the GCC, says that the system can offer a lot of benefits and savings to buildings in the region.

President of Rabbani Enterprise Reza Rabbani says that the Icynene insulation system, which made its GCC debut at this year’s Big 5, can make buildings more energy efficient.
Icynene is a leading producer and marketer of light-density foam insulation for the global building industry, and manufactures and markets the revolutionary insulation system under its name.
“A leading soft foam insulation and air barrier system, Icynene is becoming the industry standard for providing maximum building envelope performance,” says a spokesman for Icynene. “The system’s pour and spray formulations represent a breakthrough in the science of moisture and thermal management.”
He adds: “This leading 100 per cent water-blown foam insulation, minimises air leakage for increased energy efficiency, creates a healthier indoor environment, reduces airborne sounds and offers greater design freedom. Icynene maintains its performance with no loss of R-value over time and does not shrink, sag or settle. The system adheres to most construction materials and is the perfect insulation for walls, attics, ceilings and floors.

Spray formula
“Applied as a liquid, Icynene expands to 100 times its volume in seconds to fill every crack and crevice while remaining flexible so that the integrity of the building envelope seal remains intact over time. The spray formula has an R-value of 3.6 per inch and acts as a complete insulation and air barrier to minimise air leakage and seal the building envelope for optimal air-tightness.

Pour fill formula
“Icynene’s pour fill variation is an insulation and air barrier that injects the latest building technology into an older building to maximise energy efficiency while still preserving its original architectural details. The material fills the wall cavity completely, starting at the bottom and slowly expanding upwards to 60 times its initial volume. Since Icynene expands in the direction of least resistance, it will not expand outward and damage the wall. The pour fill formula has an R-value of 4 per inch.
“Icynene’s products, such as the Icynene air barrier soft foam system, were developed integrating building science and real-life conditions, rather than simply looking at laboratory results,” Rabbani says.
Comparing the energy usages in the GCC and Canada, Rabbani adds: “The common element for buildings both in Canada and the GCC is the intense use of energy. Canada needs energy to heat, while in this region energy is required to cool buildings. The Canadian ideas for saving energy, while creating a healthy living environment, can certainly spark the imagination of builders and architects in the region.
“In real-life conditions to which all buildings are exposed, there are several sources of heat that may enter insulated interiors either through convection or air-leakage. Moisture in the air carries latent heat and significantly increases the load on the air-conditioning. As buildings become more and more complex, a clear understanding of how the various elements of buildings perform for its occupants is important to achieve a healthy living environment.
“Our aim is to empower building professionals and stakeholders with a systems approach to thermal performance of buildings, so that they can make an informed decision. We are working towards striking the right balance between healthy living and energy saving,” he says.
Commenting on the target group to which the company intends the product he says: “We are eyeing sophisticated projects that include luxury hotels, hospitals, museums and buildings with irregular configurations.”
“As opposed to the existing competition in the market for insulation systems, Icynene insulation systems are different because Icynene itself – without any additional protection – can maximise energy savings while providing a healthier and quieter living space and environment,” he concludes.