Dow Introduces New VORATHERM™ PIR Products for Metal-Faced Sandwich Panels

Excellent insulation and fire performance in one product
Facilitates compliance with building codes for sandwich panels
Customizable to meet specific application requirements

Horgen, Switzerland - March 26, 2009

The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) has globally launched VORATHERM™ polyisocyanurate (PIR) rigid foam for use in metal-faced sandwich panels. This new product family combines the excellent thermal insulation properties of conventional polyurethane (PUR) foam with the enhanced fire resistance of PIR. Designed for commercial, industrial and residential building applications, including cold rooms, clean rooms, warehouses and office space, VORATHERM can help manufacturers meet a variety of fire safety requirements for both insurance and national regulations.

"Changing market requirements and evolving legislation pose challenges for panel manufacturers," said Brian Powers, global market manager for construction polyurethanes at Dow Polyurethane Systems. "They have to maintain the insulating effectiveness of their products, meet increasingly stringent fire safety codes and remain a preferred supplier to their customers. VORATHERM can help accomplish these goals. It offers a wide range of fire performance levels, can be tailored to fit specific needs and processing environments, and - with Dow's dedicated support, we have been able to successfully complete customer trials in as little as six weeks."

VORATHERM™ helps to deliver the superb insulation, lightweight, structural strength and adhesion properties of PUR, but the ring structure of PIR helps to make it chemically and thermally more stable than PUR, resulting in improved performance in reaction with as well as resistance to fire. VORATHERM has passed the standard flammability test for building components FM 4880 as well as Loss Prevention Standards tests 1181 and 1208, normally achieving up to 60 minutes of fire resistance.

To facilitate conversion to PIR for panel manufacturers, Dow's designated technical service representatives will provide support throughout the entire implementation and certification process and help customers get their panels certified and out to the market fast. Backed by the Company's 60-year polyurethane chemistry know-how and extensive experience with the building and construction industry, Dow's polyurethane experts will help customers determine the right product for every class of certification and will be available for on-site trials.

For more information on VORATHERM, please visit www.voratherm.com

About Dow Polyurethane Systems

Dow Polyurethane Systems, a business within Dow Polyurethanes, is a global leader in the development and formulation of fully formulated polyurethane systems for a broad range of applications and is focused on providing innovative, tailor-made solutions to customers worldwide. The business manufacturers and markets custom formulated rigid and semi-rigid, flexible, integral skin and microcellular foams and fully formulated systems as well as adhesives, sealants, elastomers, coatings and binders. These products are used in applications ranging from construction, automotive, appliance, furniture and shoe soles to decorative molding and athletic equipment. With global headquarters in Correggio, Italy, and North American headquarters in Marietta, Georgia, Dow Polyurethane Systems serves more than 2,400 customers with more than 3,800 customized products. Focused on meeting the specific needs of customers in their local geographic region, Dow Polyurethane Systems operates in 26 strategic locations worldwide. For more information, please visit www.pusystems.com.

About Dow

For Editorial Information:

Ingrid Dohme
The Dow Chemical Company
+41 44 728 3108

Elise Heffelfinger
The Dow Chemical Company
+41 44 728 3269

Urszula Murphy
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
+1 212 697 2600, ext. 1296
umurphy@gibbs-soell.com

Kim Crawley
Gibbs & Soell PR
+ 41 (0) 44 205 5565

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Asia Pacific Europe India, Middle East, Africa Latin America North America About Dow Polyurethanes Product Stewardship ISO Certificates Answer Center News Events MSDS & SDS My Account @ Dow Contact Us Send An Email Technical Inquiry Global Polyurethanes Home	Dow Introduces New VORATHERM™ PIR Products for Metal-Faced Sandwich Panels Excellent insulation and fire performance in one product Facilitates compliance with building codes for sandwich panels Customizable to meet specific application requirements Horgen, Switzerland - March 26, 2009 The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) has globally launched VORATHERM™ polyisocyanurate (PIR) rigid foam for use in metal-faced sandwich panels. This new product family combines the excellent thermal insulation properties of conventional polyurethane (PUR) foam with the enhanced fire resistance of PIR. Designed for commercial, industrial and residential building applications, including cold rooms, clean rooms, warehouses and office space, VORATHERM can help manufacturers meet a variety of fire safety requirements for both insurance and national regulations. "Changing market requirements and evolving legislation pose challenges for panel manufacturers," said Brian Powers, global market manager for construction polyurethanes at Dow Polyurethane Systems. "They have to maintain the insulating effectiveness of their products, meet increasingly stringent fire safety codes and remain a preferred supplier to their customers. VORATHERM can help accomplish these goals. It offers a wide range of fire performance levels, can be tailored to fit specific needs and processing environments, and - with Dow's dedicated support, we have been able to successfully complete customer trials in as little as six weeks." VORATHERM™ helps to deliver the superb insulation, lightweight, structural strength and adhesion properties of PUR, but the ring structure of PIR helps to make it chemically and thermally more stable than PUR, resulting in improved performance in reaction with as well as resistance to fire. VORATHERM has passed the standard flammability test for building components FM 4880 as well as Loss Prevention Standards tests 1181 and 1208, normally achieving up to 60 minutes of fire resistance. To facilitate conversion to PIR for panel manufacturers, Dow's designated technical service representatives will provide support throughout the entire implementation and certification process and help customers get their panels certified and out to the market fast. Backed by the Company's 60-year polyurethane chemistry know-how and extensive experience with the building and construction industry, Dow's polyurethane experts will help customers determine the right product for every class of certification and will be available for on-site trials. For more information on VORATHERM, please visit www.voratherm.com About Dow Polyurethane Systems Dow Polyurethane Systems, a business within Dow Polyurethanes, is a global leader in the development and formulation of fully formulated polyurethane systems for a broad range of applications and is focused on providing innovative, tailor-made solutions to customers worldwide. The business manufacturers and markets custom formulated rigid and semi-rigid, flexible, integral skin and microcellular foams and fully formulated systems as well as adhesives, sealants, elastomers, coatings and binders. These products are used in applications ranging from construction, automotive, appliance, furniture and shoe soles to decorative molding and athletic equipment. With global headquarters in Correggio, Italy, and North American headquarters in Marietta, Georgia, Dow Polyurethane Systems serves more than 2,400 customers with more than 3,800 customized products. Focused on meeting the specific needs of customers in their local geographic region, Dow Polyurethane Systems operates in 26 strategic locations worldwide. For more information, please visit www.pusystems.com. About Dow For Editorial Information: Ingrid Dohme The Dow Chemical Company +41 44 728 3108 Elise Heffelfinger The Dow Chemical Company +41 44 728 3269 Urszula Murphy Gibbs & Soell, Inc. +1 212 697 2600, ext. 1296 umurphy@gibbs-soell.com Kim Crawley Gibbs & Soell PR + 41 (0) 44 205 5565
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