What’s New With SOPRA-XPS?

Published by Frédéric Déom

A New Eco-friendlier Formula

Although it has been available for a few years now, the SOPRA-XPS line of extruded polystyrene insulation panels is evolving for the better by being more environmentally sustainable. While keeping the same attributes in terms of performance of its products, these major changes specifically relate to the carbon footprint and recycled content of the line. Thus, this new SOPRA-XPS product line complies with the new Canadian government regulation governing the use of certain blowing agents which will come into force on January 1, 2021.

The SOPRA-XPS line is now produced without HFC-134a gas as a blowing agent. Therefore, products made with the new formulation will have no effect on the ozone depletion potential and a much lower global warming potential. In fact, the impact on the global warming potential is reduced by 99,92%*! These SOPRA-XPS panels also retain all of their properties, including their long-term thermal resistance of 5 per inch, their low water absorption as well as their high compressive strength, which makes them most efficient and versatile, and even more eco-friendly.

In addition, SOPRA-XPS is still GREENGUARD Gold-certified, which shows that the products respect very strict criteria and its formulation takes into account demanding safety factors in terms of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, which is a significant feature for improving indoor air quality.

*The global warming potential for an extruded polystyrene insulation panel manufactured with HFC-134a gas is approximately 1,350. The new formulation of SOPRA-XPS has a global warming potential index of 1.

High Recycled Content. Unmatched Performance.

Thanks to SOPREMA’s exclusive and innovative process, the SOPRA-XPS line now contains up to 70%** recycled content. Therefore, SOPREMA is the leading XPS insulation manufacturer in terms of recycled content.

Part of the recycled content in SOPRA-XPS products – post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled content – has been validated by an independent third party, CT Consultants, an expert in environmental lifecycle analysis, all in accordance with ISO 14020/21 and ISO 7000-1135 standards. This is a major beneficial attribute for obtaining LEED certification.

**The recycled content varies according to the compression range. The global recycled content is made of one part of post-consumer and pre-consumer content validated by CT Consultants, and another part which accounts for the manufacturing recovery value. The specific details of the products covered by this validation can be found in the recycled content certificate available at www.soprema.ca.

New Colour. Same Quality.

It is important to note that SOPRA-XPS is changing colour. In fact, due to the modifications made to the formulation and the increased recycled content, the colour will go from orange to grey.
Please note that just like the changes listed above, this shift in colour will not affect the performance and quality of SOPRA-XPS in any way.