IMPROVED TRANSPARENCY FOR THE SOPRA-XPS PRODUCT LINE THANKS TO OUR NEW EPD
Our line of SOPRA-XPS extruded polystyrene panels is evolving by becoming more environmentally friendly. Now you can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from materials employed in the construction of your buildings with SOPRA-XPS, which uses a blowing agent with a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 1.
CANADA’S XPS INSULATION...
LOWEST CARBON IMPACT
HIGHEST RECYCLED CONTENT
MOST COMPLIANT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
CONSULT SOPRA-XPS EPD
Thanks to our environmental product declaration (EPD)1, it is now easier to discover the environmental impact of SOPRA-XPS. This product also has the lowest carbon impact in its class on the market. Read our EPD that proves it!
This EPD shows the results of the life cycle assessment (LCA) of SOPRA-XPS insulation, including the stages of raw material supply, manufacturing, transportation, installation, use, and end of life (cradle to grave).
WHY IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATOR FOR CO2 SO IMPORTANT?
Global warming is well-known worldwide and its effects (floods, forest fires, heat waves, storms, etc.) are getting more intense and frequent. International climate conferences have initiated many discussions and negotiations between countries on targets and objectives for reducing greenhouse gases. It is therefore now a global issue.
Global warming is largely due to the greenhouse effect, a phenomenon caused by the accumulation of gases in the atmosphere that form a barrier and trap solar radiation as well as heat. Greenhouse gases include CO2 and methane, to name just two.
Each gas has its own impact on global warming (known as global warming potential or GWP), which is expressed in relation to the impact of CO2. Methane has a GWP of 25, which means that for the same quantity of gas, the impact on global warming of methane is 25 times as high as that of CO2.
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) aims to provide information regarding the impact a product may have on various environmental factors throughout its life cycle.
The main purpose of transparent declarations is to facilitate informed decision-making in sustainable construction. Based on the information disclosed by the manufacturer, both contractors and specifiers can better guide their choices towards products that are less harmful to the environment and to people’s health.
OVERVIEW OF SOPRA-XPS
The Blowing Agent Change – An Invisible yet Significant Impact
Jean-François Côté
Ph.D, Chemist, Director – Standards & Scientific Affairs
Recycled and Recovered Content – A Rigorous and Collaborative Process
Martin Olivier
Strategic Buyer
A Plant That Combines Eco-Friendliness and Employee Well-Being
Maximilien Delétoille
Plant Manager
What Distinguishes SOPRA-XPS
Frédéric Déom
Strategic Development Manager – Roofing and XPS
DARE TO COMPARE TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
January 1, 2021 marked the entry into force of new regulations from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) which govern the use of halocarbons as blowing agents in plastic foams and set the maximum limit of their global warming potential (GWP) to 150.
Unfortunately, not all manufacturers comply with this new regulation. Some have also obtained exemptions from the Canadian government to circumvent it, and thus sell insulation with HFC emissions up to five times higher than the limit allowed. A reduced GWP does not necessarily mean that it is under 150. Accept no compromise for our planet: demand high standards now! Construction professionals who want to make a difference will understand the difference.
Base your actions on facts and ask manufacturers to provide the technical and environmental data related to their products. To help you make informed decisions, read the list of manufacturers that obtained a permit:
Companies with essential purpose permits for foams and foam products - Canada.ca.
OVERVIEW OF GHG EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT XPS INSULATION PRODUCTS
| SOPRA-XPS BY SOPREMA 2 | |
| GWP OF THE BLOWING AGENT | < 1 |
| MT CO2 EQ. FOR 100 M3 | 7.1 |
| DISTANCE TRAVELED BY CAR FOR EQUIVALENT EMISSIONS* | 43,200 KM |
| GREY REDUCED GWP STYROFOAMTM BY DUPONTTM 3 | |
| GWP OF THE BLOWING AGENT | < 750 |
| MT CO2 EQ. FOR 100 M3 | 235 |
| DISTANCE TRAVELED BY CAR FOR EQUIVALENT EMISSIONS* | 1,425,000 KM |
| FOAMULAR® D’OWENS CORNING 4 | |
| GWP OF THE BLOWING AGENT | < 750 |
| MT CO2 EQ. FOR 100 M3 | 200 |
| DISTANCE TRAVELED BY CAR FOR EQUIVALENT EMISSIONS* | 1,215,000 KM |
SOPRA-XPS IS THE FIRST CHOICE BECAUSE OF ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT THAT IS 28 TO 32 TIMES LOWER THAN THAT OF COMPETING PRODUCTS. IF WE CAN DO IT, SO CAN OTHERS! 5
*Based on a Honda Civic Sedan 2021 (165 g CO2/km) based on a scenario of 20,000 km/year.
The GWP helps to compare the global warming impact of different gases, such as those used as blowing agents in insulating foam. The GWP of a gas is a measure of the impact one tonne of its emissions will have on climate change over a 100-year period compared to the emissions from one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2). In other words, the higher the GWP, the greater the gas contributes to global warming.
Simply put, GWP provides a scale to quantify how harmful emissions of a given gas are to the planet. CO2 from burning fossil fuels is the benchmark on the scale, with a GWP of 1.
COMPARING THE CARBON IMPACT OF THE DIFFERENT XPS PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET
Total emissions (kg CO2 per m3)
Per manufacturer
Per Building Type
SMALL BUILDING*
5.9 m3
of XPS used
(2,500 board-feet)
MEDIUM BUILDING**
94.4 m3
of XPS used
(40,000 board-feet)
LARGE BUILDING***
283 m3
of XPS used
(120,000 board-feet)
SOPRA-XPS by SOPREMA 2
421 kg CO2 eq.
6.7 metric tons CO2 eq.
20 metric tons CO2 eq.
FOAMULAR® by Owens Corning 4
11.8 metric tons CO2 eq.
189 metric tons CO2 eq.
568 metric tons CO2 eq.
Grey Reduced GWP StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 3
13.8 metric tons CO2 eq.
221 metric tons CO2 eq.
665 metric tons CO2 eq.
Note that to obtain a result in metric tons, calculations are based on kilograms of CO2, equivalent divided by a thousand.
* The small building represented is a single-family house measuring 7.3 × 8.5 m (24 × 28 ft) with a foundation wall height of 2.4 m (8 ft) for a total of 77.3 m2 (832 ft2). There are 52 three-inch-thick XPS insulation panels (0.6 × 2.4 m [2 ft x 8 ft]) on the foundation walls, for a total of 5.9 m3 (208 ft3) of XPS insulation.
** The medium building represented includes 750 two-inch-thick XPS insulation panels (0.6 × 2.4 m [2 ft x 8 ft]) on the exterior walls and 500 2-inch-thick (0.6 × 2.4 m [2 ft x 8 ft]) XPS insulation panels under the concrete slab, for a total of 94.4 m3 (3,351 ft3) of XPS insulation.
*** The large building represented includes 670 3.5-inch-thick XPS insulation panels (0.6 × 2.4 m [2 ft x 8 ft]) on the exterior walls and 2,575 2-inch-thick XPS insulation panels (0.6 × 2.4 m [2 ft x 8 ft]) under the concrete slab, for a total of 283 m3 (9,994 ft3) of XPS insulation.
REDUCING A BUILDING'S CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH SOPRA-XPS
The construction industry is exerting more and more pressure on the environment due to the consumption of raw materials and the waste of residual materials. Concerned about this issue, SOPREMA has set up a new formula for its SOPRA-XPS line which replaces the HFC-134a blowing agent, having a GWP of 1,300, with a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent having a GWP of less than 1.
The new generation of SOPRA-XPS clearly demonstrates SOPREMA’s commitment to the fight against climate change, in particular by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the carbon footprint of its products used in buildings.
SOPRA-XPS is the product line with the highest recycled content on the market, i.e. 70%6. This is a form of reduction at source by promoting recycling.
SOPREMA has made major changes to the composition of its line of SOPRA-XPS extruded polystyrene insulation. This new formula contains a blowing agent with a global warming potential of less than 1!
XPS IN THE MEDIA
*Articles in French only.
Federal government accused of climate hypocrisy, taken to court over greenhouse gas exemptions
NATIONAL POST | May 4, 2021
GHG emissions: opposition to the exemption granted to three major chemical companies*
LE DEVOIR | September 24, 2021
GHG emissions: major chemical companies sell products that exceed Canadian standards by a factor of 5*
LE DEVOIR | April 19, 2021
Additional environmental exemptions granted to chemical companies*
LE DEVOIR | January 31, 2022
A company’s commitment to the community*
LA PRESSE | October 23, 2021
The polystyrene of Sherbrooke residents will be recycled by SOPREMA*
LA TRIBUNE | September 16, 2021
Non-standard insulation products authorized by Ottawa*
MSN | April 19, 2021
Martin Champoux defends SOPREMA*
TÉLÉJOURNAL ICI ESTRIE | April 23, 2021
Foam insulation and greenhouse gases: do manufacturers follow the same rules?*
AQMAT | April 19, 2021
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS
Thanks to environmental and health attributes as well as numerous transparent declarations such as the EPD, the HPD and the recycled content certificate, SOPRA-XPS can contribute to compliance with the requirements of several sustainable building certifications. It also stands out with regards to LEED, WELL, ZCB and Passive House certifications. Consult our indexes to learn more :
ASSESSMENT OF LIFE CYCLE IMPACT CATEGORIES
THE VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ASSESSED IN THE EPD
It should be noted that the life cycle impact assessment does not predict actual impacts, exceeding thresholds, safety margins, or risks associated with the targeted product. The results nevertheless provide a relevant theoretical overview to better understand the environmental impact of a product. In this case, six categories of life cycle impact assessment are addressed in the EPD, which is recognized as a Type III environmental declaration produced in accordance with EN 15804, ISO 14025, and ISO 21930 standards. With the advancement of scientific research, impact assessment methods are being refined and other impact categories are being developed. At this time, it is not recommended to use other impact categories for comparison purposes.
| Blue StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 7 | Grey Reduced GWP StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 3 | FOAMULAR® by Owens Corning 4 | StyrofoamTM ST-100 by DuPontTM 8 | FOAMULAR® NGXTM by Owens Corning 9 | SOPRA-XPS by SOPREMA 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global warming potential [kg CO2 eq.] | 100 | 59.5 | 57.9 | 6.24 | 9.77 | 2.06 |
| Ozone depletion potential [kg CFC-11 eq.] | 2.03 × 10 -9 | 1.86 × 10 -9 | 3.36 × 10 -5 | 4.09 × 10 -9 | 2.08 × 10 -5 | 1.96 × 10 -7 |
| Acidification potential [kg SO2 eq.] | 0.0065 | 0.0057 | 0.0149 | 0.0056 | 0.0168 | 0.0086 |
| Eutrophication potential [kg N eq.] | 0.0006 | 0.0005 | 0.0075 | 0.0005 | 0.0080 | 0.0030 |
| Smog formation potential [kg O3 eq.] | 0.129 | 0.115 | 0.206 | 0.114 | 0.217 | 0.129 |
| Resource depletion (fossil fuels) [MJ] | 9.319 | 8.526 | 9.809 | 8.557 | 9.946 | 5.580 |
| Global warming potential [kg CO2 eq.] | |
| Blue StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 7 | 100 |
| Grey Reduced GWP StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 3 | 59.5 |
| FOAMULAR® by Owens Corning 4 | 57.9 |
| StyrofoamTM ST-100 by DuPontTM 8 | 6.24 |
| FOAMULAR® NGXTM by Owens Corning 9 | 9.77 |
| SOPRA-XPS by SOPREMA 2 | 2.06 |
| OZONE DEPLETION POTENTIAL [KG CFC-11 EQ.] | |
| Blue StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 7 | 2.03 × 10 -9 |
| Grey Reduced GWP StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 3 | 1.86 × 10 -9 |
| FOAMULAR® by Owens Corning 4 | 3.36 × 10 -5 |
| StyrofoamTM ST-100 by DuPontTM 8 | 4.09 × 10 -9 |
| FOAMULAR® NGXTM by Owens Corning 9 | 2.08 × 10 -5 |
| SOPRA-XPS by SOPREMA 2 | 1.96 × 10 -7 |
| ACIDIFICATION POTENTIAL [KG SO2 EQ.] | |
| Blue StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 7 | 0.0065 |
| Grey Reduced GWP StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 3 | 0.0057 |
| FOAMULAR® by Owens Corning 4 | 0.0149 |
| StyrofoamTM ST-100 by DuPontTM 8 | 0.0056 |
| FOAMULAR® NGXTM by Owens Corning 9 | 0.0168 |
| SOPRA-XPS by SOPREMA 2 | 0.0086 |
| EUTROPHICATION POTENTIAL [KG N EQ.] | |
| Blue StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 7 | 0.0006 |
| Grey Reduced GWP StyrofoamTM by DuPontTM 3 | 0.0005 |
| FOAMULAR® by Owens Corning 4 | 0.0075 |
| StyrofoamTM ST-100 by DuPontTM 8 | 0.0005 |
| FOAMULAR® NGXTM by Owens Corning 9 | 0.0080 |
| SOPRA-XPS by SOPREMA 2 | 0.0030 |
Functional unit: 1 m2 (10.7 ft2) at a thickness providing a thermal resistance of RSI 1 and using a building service life of 75 years.
DEFINITION OF THE SIX ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CATEGORIES
Global warming is well-known worldwide and its effects (floods, forest fires, heat waves, storms, etc.) are getting more intense and frequent. Global warming is largely due to the greenhouse effect, a phenomenon caused by the accumulation of gases in the atmosphere that form a barrier and trap solar radiation as well as heat. Greenhouse gases include CO2 and methane, to name just two. Each gas has its own impact on global warming (known as global warming potential or GWP), which is expressed in relation to the impact of CO2. Methane has a GWP of 25, which means that for the same quantity of gas, the impact on global warming of methane is 25 times as high as that of CO2. International climate conferences have initiated many discussions and negotiations between countries on targets and objectives for reducing greenhouse gases.
This indicator measures the impact of an increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in soil or water environments caused by emissions of acidifying substances (for example, sulfuric acid).
This indicator measures the consequences of an enrichment of water by nutrients (nitrates and phosphates), thus increasing the growth of algae that deteriorate the aquatic ecosystem.
This indicator measures the formation of smog (ground-level ozone [O3]), which is a pollutant that impacts the respiratory system. Smog is produced by the exposure of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to solar radiation.
This indicator measures the impact of the depletion of the ozone layer that protects living organisms from solar radiation. Ozone depletion is mainly caused by chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and halon emissions.
This indicator measures the depletion of abiotic (fossil) energy resources and represents the excess energy required to extract these resources in the future.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
- The EPD and the LCA were carried out by CT Consultant according to Standards EN 15804, ISO 14025 and ISO 21930 and was reviewed by Marie Bellemare (Marie Bellemare Consulting).
- Data extracted from “ASTM International (2021). Environmental Product Declaration – SOPRA-XPS® Extruded Polystyrene Insulation Board. Registration Number EPD-283”.
- Data extracted from “Environmental Product Declaration – North American Grey Reduced GWP StyrofoamTM Brand XPS Products – DuPont de Nemours, Declaration Number 4789559274.102.1 January 1, 2021, UL Environment”.
- Data extracted from “Environmental Product Declaration – FOAMULAR® XPS Insulation – Owens Corning, Declaration Number 4788721182.101.1, January 1, 2019, UL Environment.”
- Calculation based on data extracted from “ASTM International (2021). Environmental Product Declaration – SOPRA-XPS® Extruded Polystyrene Insulation Board. Registration Number EPD-283”, “Environmental Product Declaration – North American Grey Reduced GWP StyrofoamTM Brand XPS Products – DuPont de Nemours, Declaration Number 4789559274.102.1 January 1, 2021, UL Environment” and “Environmental Product Declaration – FOAMULAR® XPS Insulation – Owens Corning, Declaration Number 4788721182.101.1, January 1, 2019, UL Environment.”
- The recycled content varies according to the compression range. The global recycled content is made of one part of post- and pre-consumer content validated by CT Consultant, and another part which accounts for the manufacturing process value. The specific details of the products covered by this validation can be found in the recycled content certificate.
- Data extracted from “Environmental Product Declaration – StyrofoamTM Brand XPS Products – DuPont de Nemours, Declaration Number 4789559274.101.1, January 1, 2021, UL Environment”.
- Data extracted from “Environmental Product Declaration – StyrofoamTM Brand ST-100 Products – DuPont de Nemours, Declaration Number 4789868895.101.1, July 1, 2021, UL Environment”.
- Data extracted from “Environmental Product Declaration – FOAMULAR® NGXTM XPS Insulation – Owens Corning, Declaration Number 4789639125.101.1, January 1, 2021, UL Environment”.
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