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Knauf Launches Friendly Feel^® Duct Wrap Made With ECOSE^® Technology in Commercial and Industrial Markets

Revolutionary technology offers insulation contractors the most sustainable insulation products Knauf has ever offered

(SHELBYVILLE, Ind., Nov 9, 2009)—Knauf Insulation is pleased to announce the conversion of Friendly Feel Duct Wrap to ECOSE Technology.   Friendly Feel Duct Wrap, already recognized as a market leading product, was the first Knauf commercial and industrial (C&I) insulation product to be improved with ECOSE Technology, and represents the first in a series of C&I conversions.  To date, Knauf has also converted its other mechanical air handling products, including Eclipse™ Duct Board, Duct Board M, Sonic XP™ Duct Liner and Rigid Plenum Liner to ECOSE Technology. The balance of Knauf C&I insulation products, including pipe insulation and all elevated temperature products, are scheduled to be converted to ECOSE Technology by the end of year.  This latest move is a further demonstration of Knauf’s unwavering commitment to providing products and services that conserve energy and preserve natural resources for a sustainable future. 

Friendly Feel Duct Wrap with ECOSE Technology improves the already exceptional environmental credentials of commercial and industrial glasswool insulation because it is produced with the revolutionary new binder called ECOSE Technology. ECOSE Technology delivers superior environmental sustainability, reduces embodied energy, and contains no phenol, formaldehyde, acrylics or artificial colors typically found in our traditional fiber glass insulation. “These new products have set a benchmark for sustainability in the commercial market,” says Knauf director of sustainability and product affairs Scott Miller.  “ECOSE Technology is allowing Knauf to offer the most sustainable products Knauf has ever produced, demonstrating both our commitment and industry leadership.” 

Legendary Product Performance

Knauf Friendly Feel Duct Wrap with ECOSE Technology delivers the same exceptional performance and handling characteristics that Knauf customers have come to expect from all Knauf products.  And that’s great news for the market says Knauf’s market and channel manager, Doug Bolen. “This is everything our commercial and industrial customers have been looking for,” says Bolen. “Architects and engineers love it because it meets all the specifications for performance for their projects with improved sustainability; and contractors love it because it feels and looks great, it recovers quickly, has low dust and is odor free.” 

Friendly Feel Duct Wrap is a thermal and acoustical fiberglass insulation product used as external insulation on commercial and residential heating or air conditioning ducts.  It’s suitable for the exterior of rectangular or round sheet metal ducts and spaces, or surfaces where temperature and condensation must be controlled.  Friendly Feel Duct Wrap with ECOSE Technology significantly reduces heat gain or loss.  It’s flexible and lightweight, yet tough and resilient. 

The product has a distinctive brown color that comes from using ECOSE Technology as the binding agent.  ECOSE Technology converts bio-based materials into an inert polymer through a proprietary process to create an exceptionally strong binder that bonds the insulation fibers together.  And, Friendly Feel Duct Wrap with ECOSE Technology complies with all applicable standards, including ASTM, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), GREENGUARD for Children and

Schools ^SM and California Title 24.

Sustainable Results

Knauf’s launch of their next generation of sustainable commercial and industrial insulation products further extends their long-held culture of environmental stewardship and continuous improvement according to Knauf Insulation president, Bob Claxton. “This isn’t new for Knauf—sustainability is at the core of all we do.  Knauf’s mission is to provide products and services that conserve energy and preserve natural resources for a sustainable future,” says Claxton. “Products made using ECOSE Technology push the technical boundaries, and represent a step-change for the insulation industry.  These products are the result of 5 years of research and development efforts designed to provide improved products that offer a much higher level of sustainability to the construction materials market.”

Knauf’s Insulation products have always been sustainable—made from sand, one of the world’s most abundant, renewable resources and a minimum of 35%, and up to 50%, post consumer recycled bottle glass collected from curbside recycling programs.  But, products made with ECOSE Technology take sustainability to a whole new level. ECOSE Technology does not contain phenol, formaldehyde, acrylics or artificial colors.  This new technology helps reduce the binder embodied energy by up to 70% as compared to our previous products; and reduces the expected Global Warming Potential and total embodied energy of Knauf insulation products by approximately 4%.

“With energy costs rising, and energy sources diminishing, conservation is critical for our earth’s future,” continues Miller. “Insulating buildings is the single most important factor in ensuring a sustainable future.  Insulation is a known technology that has an immediate economic impact and provides a substantial environmental payback.  With ECOSE Technology we extend our product benefits further because it is made using rapidly-renewable bio-based materials, instead of the conventional non-renewable petroleum-based chemicals used in our traditional binders. That eliminates petroleum-based binder chemicals from our process, and helps preserve our world’s energy resources. ECOSE Technology creates a more advanced and sustainable product; and since no phenol or formaldehyde is used, it also eliminates manufacturing emissions of those chemicals.” 

Claxton emphasizes that the demand for greater sustainability in building construction is clear, and will be the driving force for new construction in the foreseeable future.  He adds, “Our future demands a more sustainable strategy—and Knauf is proud to lead the way.”

Knauf Insulation is a leading global manufacturer of thermal and acoustical insulations for residential, commercial, industrial, OEM and metal building applications. For more information about Knauf sales and products, visit www.knaufinsulation.us, write to Knauf Insulation GmbH, One Knauf Drive, Shelbyville, IN  46176 or call 800-825-4434 ext. 8212.