Styrofoam™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation GWP & HFC compliance
Our low GWP formulation features a new grey color and the same great performance.
As of November 2023, all Styrofoam™ Brand extruded polystyrene insulation (XPS) is produced as low-GWP, grey XPS. Some heritage blue Styrofoam™ XPS may be still available in U.S. states where they are compliant for sale. We tested and refined all our products to ensure that Styrofoam™ Brand XPS will continue to meet or exceed codes and regulations and can deliver the performance you’ve come to expect – in a color that meets modern design aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What are the U.S. Federal AIM Act GWP requirements for Styrofoam™ Brand XPS blowing agents?
Requirement: As of 1/1/2025, no person may manufacture or import any XPS product (Polystyrene—extruded boardstock, billet, and extruded sheet) in the US with a 100-year GWP > 150.
Labeling: Requirements include the full date, or at minimum the four-digit year, of manufacture. The GWP of the blowing agent or the name of the blowing agent compound used must be noted on the product.
Sell Through Period: Three years after the manufacture and import compliance date of 1/1/2025 any XPS product with a 100-year GWP >150 cannot be sold in the US.
More Information: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-10-24/pdf/2023-22529.pdf?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&utm_medium=email&utm_source=federalregister.gov
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Q: What are the Québec GWP Regulations for Styrofoam™ Brand XPS?
Traditional blue products manufactured after:
1/1/2021 may not be sold into California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington State;
7/1/2021 may not be sold into Maryland or Massachusetts;
9/1/2021 may not be sold into Delaware; and
1/1/2022 may not be sold into Maine or Rhode Island.
Contact our single-entry point for Performance Building Solutions Technical Inquiries by calling 866-583-2583 or visiting our website for support for your state.
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Q: What are the GWP Regulations for all other Canadian Provinces for Styrofoam™ Brand XPS?
As of January 1, 2021, blue Styrofoam™ Brand XPS transitioned to grey in Canada. All Styrofoam™ Brand XPS manufactured for Canada meet the regulations.
Labeling: Québec does not require labeling for foam product blowing agents.
Sell Through Period: Québec allows product manufactured or blended before the date of restriction to remain in commerce until July 1, 2021.
More Information: The original regulations are available here. The amending regulations are available here.
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Q: Does Styrofoam™ Brand XPS meet the Buy America Act or Build America Buy America Act requirements?
As of January 1, 2021, blue Styrofoam™ Brand XPS was fully reformulated to low GWP grey XPS in Canada. All Styrofoam™ Brand XPS manufactured for Canada meet the regulations.
Sell Through Period: Canada allows product manufactured or blended before the date of restriction to remain in commerce.
More Information: The regulations are available in English here. The regulations are available in French here.
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Q: Where are the Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)?
Third party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) through UL Spot® are available for Styrofoam™ Brand products:
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Q: What are the greenhouse gas (GHG) and sustainability advantages of Styrofoam™ Brand XPS products?
DuPont™ Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Insulation has played a key role in the building and construction industry for more than 80 years, enhancing energy efficiency and the sustainability profile of the entire building envelope. The new low-GWP formulation offers a 94% reduction in embodied carbon. Thanks to the energy it can help save over its lifetime, Styrofoam™ Brand XPS has been shown to help save more than 30 times the energy embodied in it1. Already manufactured with 100% renewable electricity2 and a zero-ozone depletion formula, the sustainability benefits of Styrofoam™ Brand XPS include:
Embodied Carbon/LCA Optimization Assessment, which demonstrates that low-GWP Styrofoam™ Brand XPS has achieved a 94% reduction in embodied carbon relative to the previous formulation
Reusable in many applications
Certified by UL Environment Inc. to contain an average of 20% pre-consumer recycled content
Produced with BluEdge™ Polymeric Flame Retardant Technology, a stable polymer with an enhanced environment, health and safety profile
Can help owners, architects and builders achieve green building certifications, including U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification
Can provide 200% cost, or equivalent to two products, for the LEED v4.1 LCA Optimization credit
Published EPDs and Embodied Carbon
DuPont’s Styrofoam™ Brand Insulation GWP Phase-Down program offers lower embodied carbon product solutions compliant with specific US HFC and Canada GWP Regulations without compromising on performance.
Remember: Embodied carbon should only be reported by manufacturers using third-party verified EPDs, and comparison of EPDs should be interpreted with caution due to complexity in modeling product life cycles and the lack of quantified uncertainty in reported values. Many factors, including embodied carbon and other sustainability considerations, should be used to guide product decisions.
Published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for selected XPS products available in regulated U.S. states
| Styrofoam™ Brand ST-100 |
Owens Corning Foamular® NGX™ |
Kingspan GreenGuard® LG |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| EPD Available? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Embodied carbon (A1-C4) kgCO2e/m2RSI |
6.2 | 9.8 | 4.5 |
| Embodied carbon (A1-C4) kgCO2e/bdft* |
0.5 | 0.8 | 0.4 |
| Leed Optimization Credit Eligible? | Yes, 2 (max possible+) | Yes, 1.5 (max possible) | No |
Published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for selected XPS products available in Canada
| Styrofoam™ Brand XPS | Owens Corning Foamular® NGX™ |
SOPREMA® Sopra-XPS |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| EPD Available? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Embodied carbon (A1-C4) kgCO2e/m2RSI |
6.2 | 9.8 | 2.1 |
| Embodied carbon (A1-C4) kgCO2e/bdft* |
0.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Leed Optimization Credit Eligible? | Yes, 2 (max possible+) | Yes, 1.5 (max possible) | No |
EDP publié et carbone incorporé
Le programme de réduction progressive du PRP des isolants Styrofoam™ Brand de DuPont propose des solutions qui ont moins de carbone incorporé dans le produit, en conformité avec les exigences pour les HFC aux États-Unis ainsi qu’aux réglementations Canadiennes en rapport avec le PRP, sans compromettre les performances.
N'oubliez pas : le carbone incorporé doit être rapporté par les fabricants en utilisant des DEP vérifiés par des tiers, et la comparaison des DEP doit être interprétée avec prudence en raison de la complexité de la modélisation des cycles de vie des produits et de l’absence de quantification des incertitudes dans les valeurs rapportées. De nombreux facteurs, y compris le carbone incorporé et d'autres considérations de durabilité, devraient être utilisés pour guider les décisions concernant les produits.
Déclarations environnementales de produits (DEP) publiées pour des produits en XPS sélectionnés et disponibles au Canada
|
Styrofoam™ DuPont™ à PRP réduit |
Foamular® Owens Corning |
Sopra-XPS SOPREMA® |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP disponible? | Oui1 | Oui2 | Non |
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Carbone incorporé (A1-C4) kgCO2e/m2RSI |
59.5 | 58.1 | N/A |
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Carbone incorporé (A1-C4) kgCO2e/bdft* |
4.9 | 4.7 | N/A |
*Pour convertir kgCO2e/m2RSI en kgCO2e/bdft, divisez par 12,24. Le facteur 12,24 a été calculé par les équations suivantes :
1m2RSI = 1m2 * 1.14 inch = 1.02 ft3 (où 1m2 = 10.76 ft2 et 1.14 in = 0.095 ft)
1bdft = 1ft2*in = 1ft2*(1/12 ft) = 0.0833 ft3
1.02/0.0833 = 12.24 m2RSI / bdft
(Information disponible en anglais seulement)
1 Déclaration UL des Styrofoam™ de DuPont™ à PRP réduits numéro 4789559274.102.1
2 Déclaration DEP de Owens Corning Foamular® numéro 4788721182.101.1
*To convert kgCO2e/m2RSI to kgCO2e/bdft, divide by 12.24. The 12.24 factor was calculated by the following equations:
1m2RSI = 1m2 * 1.14 inch = 1.02 ft3 (where 1m2 = 10.76 ft2 and 1.14 in = 0.095 ft)
1bdft = 1ft2*in = 1ft2*(1/12 ft) = 0.0833 ft3
1.02/0.0833 = 12.24 m2RSI / bdft
Code Approval Documentation
- Newly formulated Styrofoam™ Brand insulation foam produced for HFC regulated U.S. states is grey in color and approved for building applications as described in new ICC-ESR 4755
- Canadian Styrofoam™ products are listed under the same CCMC Listings as previous: CCMC 11420-L, 12085-L and 04888-L.
A unique closed-cell structure gives Styrofoam™ Brand XPS its exceptional moisture resistance and enables it to retain a high, long-term R-value of R-5 per inch – even after exposure to standing water, wet soil and other damp conditions. Additional performance attributes of Styrofoam™ Brand XPS include:
- Meets ASTM C578 Types and CAN/ULC-S701.1 (refer to specific product information for details)
- Compliant with IRC, IBC and IECC as listed in ICC Evaluated Service Reports
- Provides a weather-resistant barrier to enhance the building's resistance to air and moisture penetration
- Meets building code requirements of ASTM E84 Flame Spread Index of 25 or less and a Smoke Developed Rating of 450 or less
- Will not corrode, rot or support mold growth
- Available in wide range of compressive strengths from 15 to 100 psi, and minimum flexural strength of 40 psi
- Is easy to fabricate into various sizes, thicknesses and edge treatments to meet specific design needs, while ensuring energy efficiency and minimizing on-site cutting and waste
DuPont™ Styrofoam™ Brand XPS products are backed by the expertise of building science leaders dedicated to your success and warranties from a name you trust, including limited thermal warranties from 15 to 50 years including the Wall² system warranties and other system warranties.
Aesthetics
Grey, low GWP Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Insulation addresses the modern need for a dark reveal behind open-joint rainscreen systems or other applications where exposed insulation is desired. But that's not all. As a highly efficient continuous insulation, Styrofoam™ Brand XPS helps prevent thermal bridging which may lead to unsightly dark stains visible through cladding.
DuPont Performance Building Solutions is committed to being in step with where the construction industry is going. Our robust portfolio of proven and compatible products brings together decades of technology, expertise and innovation to provide water, air and thermal protection for all six sides of your building envelope.
Resources
When you're protecting all six sides of the building envelope, the Styrofoam™ Brand product family has long been the choice for solid performance. 
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1 Calculated from life cycle analysis from published Styrofoam™ Brand Environmental Product Declaration Report.
2We have purchased Renewable Energy Credits to offset our electricity usage since 2016
DuPont believes this information to be reliable. It may be subject to change as additional knowledge and experience are gained. It is not intended as a substitute for any testing you may conduct to determine for yourself the suitability of our products for your particular purpose. Since conditions for use are outside the DuPont’s control, DUPONT DE NEMOURS, INC. OR ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ASSUMES NO LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION. This information is not intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any trademark, patent or technical information of DuPont or other persons covering any material or its use. ©2024 DuPont. All rights reserved. DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, ℠ or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted.
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