Following a trial period in 2014, Dow Building Solutions (UK & Ireland) has marked the commercial roll-out of XENERGY SL with an event for over 70 leading architects, specifiers and roofing contractors at the ICEBAR in London’s Covent Garden. Manufactured in the UK, Dow Building Solutions says its new inverted roof insulation improves LAMBDA performance by up to 11%.
XENERGY SL has been formulated with the addition of infra-red blockers – or particles – which are finely dispersed and incorporated into the extruded cell walls. These particles scatter and reflect heat radiation, resulting in reduced heat transfer during winter to keep a building warm, as well as in summer to keep it cool.
The product will fully replace Dow’s STYROFOAM ROOFMATE SL-A product during 2015.
A host of speakers and notable guests joined RCI at the launch event, included Dusty Gedge, a recognised authority, designer, and consultant on green roofs, and president of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations. Also in attendance alongside Mr. Gedge were representatives of the Department for Energy & Climate Change, the Construction Products Association and the Association for the Conservation of Energy.
Chris Gimson, commercial director at Dow Building Solutions, said:
“Dow Chemical Company invented XPS some 70 years ago and the STYROFOAM insulation products Dow has produced at their King’s Lynn plant for nearly 50 years have played a key role in UK construction. In that time, the company has built an innovative track record and a proven ability to satisfy evermore demanding building project specifications.
“Following significant additional capital investment by Dow in the UK, XENERGY SL is now being produced at our Kings Lynn production site – with domestic UK manufacture further increasing its appeal to environmentally conscious specifiers.”
Dow says the event venue was chosen to demonstrate the importance of good insulation. It features a cold sensory experience where the walls, bar, tables and even the drink glasses are made from crystal clear Swedish ice.
