MIDLAND, MICH.—Building insulation products from Dow Building Solutions have been recertified by the Cradle to Cradle Certified program, a well-known, multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product’s material content, recyclability and manufacturing characteristics. Originally certified in 2010 and recertified in 2011, after rigorous analysis in 2012, STYROFOAM Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation recertified at the SILVER level and THERMAX Insulation achieved BASIC recertification.
“When evaluating sustainable building materials, Dow advocates taking a ‘holistic’ approach, and we feel the Cradle to Cradle Certified program provides a strong indication of a product’s comparative value when looking at energy efficient solutions and underscores Dow’s commitment to meeting its 2015 Sustainability Goals,” said Michael Kontranowski, strategic market director for Dow Building Solutions. “However, the process of evaluating the sustainability profile of our products does not end with Cradle to Cradle Certification. Because the program looks at the entire product life cycle—from manufacturing to disposal—we are able to identify key priorities for continuous improvement. At Dow we are committed to constantly improving the environmental profile of our products so that they remain affordable, accessible, sustainable, durable, and easy to use and install for builders, contractors and designers around the world. In the meantime, we are proud to have achieved recertification.”
Unlike single-attribute eco-labels, the certification program uses a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the sustainable attributes of a product, as well as the practices employed in manufacturing the product. In cooperation with MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), a global sustainability consulting firm, the Cradle to Cradle Certified process evaluates products across five different life cycle categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy use, water stewardship, and social responsibility.
Dow products that are Cradle to Cradle Certified may be eligible to contribute toward points in building certifications, such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Rating Systems.
“At Dow, we strive to offer solutions that insulate, protect and enhance the entire building envelope for maximum energy efficiency and performance to help create a more energy efficient world,” said Kontranowski.
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