/ News / DuPont Publishes Embodied Carbon of Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Products Available in Canada

DuPont Publishes Embodied Carbon of Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Products Available in Canada

Parul Dubey on July 28, 2021 - in News

Company has made it easier for architects, engineers, and contractors to access embodied carbon data on XPS products

 

WILMINGTON, Del., Jul. 27, 2021 — DuPont Performance Building Solutions has achieved significant progress in partnering with industry stakeholders, Canadian architects, engineering and contractor (AEC) professionals to make sustainability a reality with safer, constructible solutions that have reduced embodied carbon.

DuPont believes it is important to look beyond simplistic, popular single attributes and support holistic, data driven design principles to develop lasting, sustainable solutions for buildings.  DuPont verifies the performance, quality assurance and environmental impact of Styrofoam™ products through leading certification agencies, such as UL Environment.

Along with other Canadian extruded polystyrene (XPS) boardstock foam insulation manufacturers, DuPont introduced a reduced-GWP Styrofoam™ Brand XPS in Canada as of Jan. 1, 2021, while reaffirming its commitment to energy efficiency as a key driver to reducing carbon emissions throughout the industry. Each manufacturer is taking a different path to comply with Canadian HFC regulations. DuPont is taking a phased approach to ensure reliable operations and supply continuity as it converts its XPS production facilities across North America. We are also diligent in ensuring local provincial regulation compliance.

The Quebec Regulation respecting halocarbons (Q-2, r.29) amends Section 39, stating:
 

  • As of January 1, 2021: Prohibits manufacturing plastic foams or a product containing a GWP of more than 150, except in the case of having an Essential Use Permit by Canada.
  • As of July 1, 2021: Prohibits the sale or distribution of such a foam or such a product within the Province of Quebec.

 

DuPont complies with this and other regulations in effect across Canada. 

 

Embodied carbon impact:

DuPont’s reduced-GWP Styrofoam™ has achieved a significant reduction in embodied carbon relative to previous DuPont products, as demonstrated in published product Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Despite some competitor marketing claims, DuPont™ Styrofoam™ brand XPS in Canada has a published embodied carbon value that is similar to other leaders in the XPS category.  The published embodied carbon values for Styrofoam™ are based on an independent, peer-reviewed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted according to the required product category rules for insulation. 

“We’re excited by the reductions in embodied carbon in our reformulated Styrofoam™ brand products and are delighted to share that information through the EPDs that we’ve published for our products,” said Shawn Hunter, Global Sustainability Director, DuPont Performance Building Solutions. “A third party verified EPD is the only approach that allows product manufacturers to communicate credible, LCA-based information regarding their products.  When comparing EPDs from different manufacturers, it’s critical to compare with caution as the ISO standards guide us, due to the complexity in modeling product life cycles and the general lack of quantified uncertainty in the reported values.”

To clarify the EPD information available to architects and engineers, DuPont has published the most current embodied carbon information for Canadian XPS products on BeyondBlue.DuPont.com. The data are based on verified EPDs and LCAs to simplify the comparisons and help architects, consultants and engineers build sustainable communities. Designers should be wary of any GHG comparisons not backed by peer-reviewed LCA and verified EPD that applies standardized LCA methodology and includes all modules of the required Product Category Rules (A1-A3, B1, and C1-C4) spanning the full life cycle of the product.

 

DuPont’s 2030 Sustainability Commitment:

In addition to reformulating products across its Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Insulation portfolio, DuPont’s Performance Building Solutions business has committed to an aggressive 75 percent reduction in GHG emissions from operations by 2030, compared to 2019 figures. The commitment includes the introduction of reduced embodied carbon products through product innovation.

The insulation product reformulations are part of the company’s “Acting on Climate” goal to achieve a 30 percent GHG reduction in its operations by 2030 relative to 2019 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

For additional information about our new reduced-GWP Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Insulation, our conversion program and commitment to sustainability, please visit https://beyondblue.dupont.com/

 

About DuPont Performance Building Solutions

DuPont Performance Building Solutions is a global innovation leader in the building and construction industry, providing products and materials for all six sides of the building envelope. By developing solutions for managing the air, water and thermal performance of buildings and residences, we help our customers build energy-efficient, resilient and durable shelters in a rapidly changing world. Backed by unmatched industry insight, building knowledge and technical support, as well as world-class brands such as Styrofoam BrandTyvek®, and Great Stuff, our products and services portfolio enables customers to focus on what they do best, no matter where and how they choose to build.

 

About DuPont

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com.

DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, SM or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted.

This information is based on information that DuPont believes to be reliable. It is subject to change as additional knowledge and experience are gained. It is not intended as a substitute for any testing you may conduct to determine for yourself the suitability of our products for your particular purpose. Since conditions for use are outside the Company’s control, DuPont make no warranties, express or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with the use of this information. This information is not intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any trademark, patent or technical information of DuPont or other persons covering any material or its use.

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