Canada Foam Blowing Agent Substitution

This project replaces hydrofluorocarbon HFC-245fa with Solstice LBA—a new blowing agent—in the production and use of foam. All polyurethane foam requires the use of blowing agents in its manufacture and application. These blowing agents contain chemicals that contribute to global warming, as they release greenhouse gases during their manufacture, use, and end-of-life. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assumes the eventual release into the atmosphere of all blowing agents contained in foam. Currently, there are no restrictions on the use of those with high global warming potential—the likes of which are widely used in the spray foam industry. 

The purpose of this project is to offset the production and eventual greenhouse gas emissions of foam generated by blowing agents with high global warming potential by replacing them with those offering low global warming potential, which have historically had low market-adoption rates.