This document discusses the impact that blowing agents used in polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation manufacturing can have on climate change and ozone depletion. It provides background on ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) metrics used to measure these impacts. Recent testing found that some PIR insulation products manufactured in the UAE still contain banned chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The document recommends using insulation like Kingspan PalDuct Hydro panels that are manufactured using blowing agents with zero ODP and low GWP.

1. Second Issue September 2016
Low Energy –
Low Carbon Buildings
Same on the outside,
different on the inside
GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL AND OZONE DEPLETION
POTENTIAL OF DIFFERENT PIR INSULATION
Insulation
ODP
See rear cover for applicable countries

2. 2
Global Warming Potential and Ozone Depletion
Potential of Different PIR Insulation
CFCs, HCFCs & PIR Insulation
It is important to understand that, whilst reducing the energy
consumption and related carbon dioxide emissions, of a building,
thermal insulation and pre-insulated ductwork panels can
negatively impact on climate change and ozone depletion, if
they are not manufactured in a responsible way.
Blowing agents are typically used to enhance the thermal
performance of PIR insulation, by filling the cells within the
insulation with a low thermal conductivity gas. This gas can be
released into the atmosphere through various channels, such
as during the manufacture of the product, during transit or
after the product is ceased to be used.
Blowing agents used in the manufacture of PIR insulation
products, such as CFCs and HCFCs, can accelerate climate
change and ozone depletion if they are released into
the atmosphere.
A blowing agents’ impact on climate change and ozone
depletion is characterised by its Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
or Global Warming Potential (GWP).
What is Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)?
CFCs, HCFCs and other substances released into the atmosphere
can react with the ozone layer in a negative way. A molecule of
chlorine can react with the ozone and catalyse the conversion of
ozone molecules into oxygen. One chlorine atom has the potential
to destroy more than 100,000 ozone molecules. This is the
process of ozone depletion and has already caused a substantial
amount of damage to the ozone layer.
ODP is the ratio of ability of a substance to degrade ozone, to that
of chlorofluorocarbon-11 (CFC-11), which therefore, has a value of
1. HCFC-141b has an ODP of 0.11,10 times less degrading than
CFC-11. Other substances, such as Pentane, have an ODP of
zero., i.e. they do no harm to the ozone layer.
What is Global Warming Potential (GWP)?
GWP is the ratio of ability of a substance to trap heat in the atmos-
phere, to that of carbon dioxide. The more heat the gas traps,
the bigger its potential to contribute to global warming. A GWP is
calculated over a specific time interval, commonly 20, 100 or 500
years. CFC-11 has a GWP, over 100 years, of 4,250, HCFC-141b
has a GWP of 725 and Pentane has a GWP of below 5.
The Montreal Protocol
The Vienna Convention, which took place over 30 years ago,
enabled international co-operation in researching the effects
of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) on the ozone layer, and
was the basis on which the Montreal Protocol was produced
in September, 1987. At the time, twenty four countries and the
European Economic Community signed the Protocol, which
requires the reduction and eventual phasing out of CFCs and
other ODSs, such as HCFCs.
In 1989, Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol was developed.
This allowed developing countries to become part of the action
against ozone depletion, by setting different, but attainable,
targets for these countries to meet. Article 5 countries within
the GCC include U.A.E., Qatar and Oman.
CFCs should now have been phased out by all countries
that signed the Montreal Protocol. HCFCs have only been
completely phased out by Non-Article 5 countries, but their
complete phase out in Article 5 countries is imminent.
As such, many PIR insulation manufacturers in U.A.E.,
Qatar and Oman may have turned to HCFCs as an interim
blowing agent. However, this product has a high GWP and
could impact negatively on climate change.
Measuring CFC/HCFC content
The facts surrounding the impact of CFCs and HCFCs are well
known by manufacturers with many claiming that their products
are ‘CFC/HCFC-free’. However, following some recent tests,
undertaken at All Futtaim Exova LLC, Kingspan Insulation has
discovered that some U.A.E. manufactured products continue
to contain both CFCs and HCFCs. The results are shown in the
table below.
Sample Claim CFC Detected HCFC Detected
Sample from U.A.E. Manufacturer 1 CFC/HCFC-free None HCFC 141b
Sample from U.A.E. Manufacturer 2 CFC/HCFC-free CFC-11 HCFC 141b
Sample from U.A.E. Manufacturer 3 CFC/HCFC-free None HCFC 141b
Sample from U.A.E. Manufacturer 4 CFC/HCFC-free CFC-11 HCFC 141b
Kingspan PalDuct Hydro Panel CFC/HCFC-free None None
Table 1: CFC/HCFC content of panels, used for fabricating pre-insulated ductwork, manufactured within the U.A.E.

3. Local Guidance
Within the Dubai Municipalities guidance document which
enforces the phase-out of CFCs and HCFCs entitled “Technical
Guideline Number 7: Policy on the control of Ozone Depleting
Substances”, insulation manufacturers should have ceased the
use of CFCs and their use should have been phased out by
the start of 2010. This document ensures compliance with the
obligations of Montreal Protocol for Article 5 countries.
Within the Estidama Rating Systems, 1 credit point is available
if all thermal insulation materials used have an Ozone Depletion
Potential of zero (ODP=0) and a Global Warming Potential of
less than 5 (GWP ≤ 5). This includes all blowing agents used
in the manufacture of the insulation, but also, all those used
to spray it in place, if required.
3
Kingspan PalDuct Hydro -
a CFC/HCFC-free Product
Kingspan PalDuct Hydro Panels
comprise a fibre-free high performance
rigid thermoset polyisocyanurate (PIR)
insulation core, faced on both sides with an embossed
aluminium foil. The aluminium foil is lacquered with corrosion
resistant polymer varnish.
The core is manufactured with a CFC/HCFC-free blowing
agent, which has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and
Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 5.
Kingspan KoolDuct™ Panels, Kingspan
PalDuct Hydro Panels, all products in the
Kingspan Kooltherm Range, the Kingspan
Therma™ range and the Kingspan Styrozone™
N-range and are manufactured with
blowing agents that are deemed to have,
or have, a zero Ozone Depletion Potential
(ODP) and a Global Warming Potential
(GWP) <5.
Property Value
20PH80 30PH200
Product Thickness
(mm) 20 30
Product Dimensions
(mm) 4000 x 1200 4000 x 1200
Density
(kg/m3
) 50 ± 5 50 ± 5
Thermal Conductivity
(mm) 0.020 0.020
Table 2: Kingspan PalDuct Hydro Panels product data
Kingspan PalDuct Hydro Panel

4. Countries comprise: all of Africa; South and Central America except Mexico; the Caribbean; the Middle East and Asia as far north and east (and including) Turkey,
Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
TM
Kingspan, KoolDuct, Kooltherm, Therma, Styrozone the Pal Device and the Lion Device are Trademarks of the Kingspan Group plc.
Kingspan Insulation LLC
P.O. Box 113826, Dubai Investment Park 2, Dubai, U.A.E.
Tel: +971 4 889 1000 Fax: +971 4 883 8515
info@kingspaninsulation.ae
www.kingspaninsulation.com
Kingspan Insulation LLC reserves the right to amend product specifications without prior notice. Product thicknesses shown in this document should not be taken as being available ex–stock and
advice should be sought directly from Kingspan Insulation LLC. The information, technical details and fixing instructions etc. included in this literature are given in good faith and apply to uses described
herein. Recommendations for use should be verified as to the suitability and compliance with actual requirements, specifications and any applicable codes, laws and regulations. For other applications
or conditions of use, contact Kingspan Insulation LLC. Advice should be sought for uses of Kingspan Insulation products that are not specifically described herein. The fire tests referenced in this
literature and the assigned results are not intended to reflect hazards presented by the materials and products described herein under actual fire conditions. Please check that your copy of the literature
is current by visiting www.kingspaninsulation.com.