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FAQs
(Indoor) climate & health
Does EPS insulation allow a building to ‘breathe’?
Yes. In the sense that EPS allows the open exchange of air humidity while at the same time preventing heat from escaping or entering. EPS has about the same ability to handle vapours as wood, resulting in an indoor climate that is both healthy and pleasant.
Is insulation made from EPS or Lambdapor® fireproof?
Yes. When properly installed, flame-retardant EPS products and Lambdapor® are self-extinguishing and therefore highly fireproof. They comply with all applicable fire protection regulations for EIFS (exterior insulation finishing systems).
Is the blowing agent used, pentane, harmful to the environment?
EPS granules from sunpor contain a maximum of 6 percent pentane. Scientific studies classify pentane as not harmful to the environment because it dissipates by itself in the atmosphere within a few days. At sunpor, we neutralise potential accident risks associated with the flammable hydrocarbon pentane during processing thanks to the most modern safety standards in the industry.
Does sunpor-EPS contain HBCD or other flame retardants classified as harmful?
No. At sunpor, we switched to a polymer flame retardant back in 2014, which is now considered to be the most environmentally friendly and sustainable flame retardant on the market.
Are environmentally harmful CFCs used during the production of EPS?
No. No CFCs are used in the production of sunpor-EPS.
Stability of value and recycling
After what period of time does EPS insulation have to be renewed on average?
Neither moisture nor micro-organisms can do any damage to EPS, which means that the insulation remains intact for a long time. There is nothing to prevent the product from being used for the entire life cycle of the building.
In view of the increasing demands being placed on building insulation: does any existing EPS insulation have to be replaced?
No, it can continue to be used. The existing layer of insulation is simply supplemented by an additional layer of EPS. This means that EPS is not only capable of being used over the long term and retains value, but it is also able to the meet the requirements of the future.
What happens to EPS that has reached the end of its life?
EPS is fully recyclable and not classified as hazardous waste (special waste), as is often erroneously claimed. As an ‘inert’ material, it does not pose any threat to groundwater either. EPS is also the only insulating material that is 100 percent recyclable. The CreaSolv® process has now also brought upcycling to new insulation material within reach. Early steps have been taken to establish an international EPS circular economy. EPS waste material is already being used in a variety of different ways today: For example, as an energy source in the supply of district heating by means of thermal recycling, as a material for special applications such as a filling material to enable soil levelling, or as an energy-saving aggregate for lightweight concrete.
What happens to sunpor-EPS packaging after use?
The value of recycled EPS packaging, for example when it comes to producing extruded polystyrene sheets, is increasingly recognised. Together with EUMEPS, we are committed to the goal of sorting, collecting and recycling EPS waste to the greatest extent possible.
What are the prospects for the disposal of EPS?
Developments across the industry are moving towards a sustainable EPS cycle: Industry associations enable us to actively promote recycling programs for packaging and construction waste. When it comes to demolition waste, EPS is recycled, any HBCD flame retardant contained in it is eliminated and bromine is recovered. sunpor is one of the initiators and operators of the „PS Loop“ initiative, which is committed to establishing an international EPS cycle economy. A pilot plant with innovative upcycling technology is currently under construction in Terneuzen (NL). Our expertise in extrusion also makes us one of the technological driving forces behind the conversion of EPS recycling material into high-quality insulation material.
Grey EPS: Added value and handling
What added value does grey Lambdapor® offer over white EPS?
Both practical and ecological added value. Lambdapor® offers up to 25 percent better insulation compared with white EPS boards of the same thickness. This helps reduce energy costs further – or the same insulating effect compared with white EPS using less insulating material and taking up less space. Both the energy and material savings improve the ecological footprint of the insulation.
What is the added value of Lambdapor® over grey EPS from other suppliers?
Lambdapor® has been viewed as the strongest insulation on the market for around two decades now. The leading technology behind Lambdapor® offers added value not only for users, but also for processors: They benefit from higher productivity enabled by lower energy consumption levels and shorter cycle times in production. Superior foaming and uniform processing performance while maintaining optimum stability optimise the mechanical properties of the end product while reducing waste during production. Low material requirements stem from the fact that Lambdapor®, depending on the required density, can be expanded to the lowest density with one or two rounds of pre-expansions. As Lambdapor® allows high-quality production even with reduced steam pressure, recycled material is easy to reprocess.
How can the performance of Lambdapor® be optimally exploited during processing?
Lambdapor® generally requires lower steam pressure than other grey or white EPS grades for pre-foaming. An initial pre-expansion of up to 13.5 or 14 kg is possible. The optimum conditions depend on the desired density. Our service team helps you to optimise processing from both a technical and economic standpoint.
sunpor & more
What sets the special profile of sunpor apart in the EPS industry?
The combination of industrial capacity and unparalleled international expertise with clear structures and personal service. All of this being underpinned by unconditional commitment: Since 1986 we have concentrated exclusively and comprehensively on the technological enhancement of EPS.
What gives sunpor-EPS its special position on the market?
Stable quality, variety of applications and personal technical support. We get more out of EPS for processors and users alike with combined expertise in polymerisation and extrusion. We offer our customers the entire range of product types for any application and in any size: from leading insulation technology and packaging material with specific colours and surfaces to innovative EPS ideas. Our technical support department is on hand to help with you with any issues you may have from the selection or development or products to the optimisation of processing.
What sets sunpor apart as a supplier?
Our customers can be sure that agreed lead times and prices will be met. We guarantee consistent quality for all deliveries, as we are committed to quality standards defined by European manufacturers. This ensures that our products meet the highest possible safety and quality standards. Through your cooperation with European manufacturers you also support the work of national and international associations such as EUMEPS, which are committed to an ecologically sustainable EPS industry.
Does EPS insulation allow a building to ‘breathe’?
Yes. In the sense that EPS allows the open exchange of air humidity while at the same time preventing heat from escaping or entering. EPS has about the same ability to handle vapours as wood, resulting in an indoor climate that is both healthy and pleasant.
Is insulation made from EPS or Lambdapor® fireproof?
Yes. When properly installed, flame-retardant EPS products and Lambdapor® are self-extinguishing and therefore highly fireproof. They comply with all applicable fire protection regulations for EIFS (exterior insulation finishing systems).
Is the blowing agent used, pentane, harmful to the environment?
EPS granules from sunpor contain a maximum of 6 percent pentane. Scientific studies classify pentane as not harmful to the environment because it dissipates by itself in the atmosphere within a few days. At sunpor, we neutralise potential accident risks associated with the flammable hydrocarbon pentane during processing thanks to the most modern safety standards in the industry.
Does sunpor-EPS contain HBCD or other flame retardants classified as harmful?
No. At sunpor, we switched to a polymer flame retardant back in 2014, which is now considered to be the most environmentally friendly and sustainable flame retardant on the market.
Are environmentally harmful CFCs used during the production of EPS?
No. No CFCs are used in the production of sunpor-EPS.
Stability of value and recycling
After what period of time does EPS insulation have to be renewed on average?
Neither moisture nor micro-organisms can do any damage to EPS, which means that the insulation remains intact for a long time. There is nothing to prevent the product from being used for the entire life cycle of the building.
In view of the increasing demands being placed on building insulation: does any existing EPS insulation have to be replaced?
No, it can continue to be used. The existing layer of insulation is simply supplemented by an additional layer of EPS. This means that EPS is not only capable of being used over the long term and retains value, but it is also able to the meet the requirements of the future.
What happens to EPS that has reached the end of its life?
EPS is fully recyclable and not classified as hazardous waste (special waste), as is often erroneously claimed. As an ‘inert’ material, it does not pose any threat to groundwater either. EPS is also the only insulating material that is 100 percent recyclable. The CreaSolv® process has now also brought upcycling to new insulation material within reach. Early steps have been taken to establish an international EPS circular economy. EPS waste material is already being used in a variety of different ways today: For example, as an energy source in the supply of district heating by means of thermal recycling, as a material for special applications such as a filling material to enable soil levelling, or as an energy-saving aggregate for lightweight concrete.
What happens to sunpor-EPS packaging after use?
The value of recycled EPS packaging, for example when it comes to producing extruded polystyrene sheets, is increasingly recognised. Together with EUMEPS, we are committed to the goal of sorting, collecting and recycling EPS waste to the greatest extent possible.
What are the prospects for the disposal of EPS?
Developments across the industry are moving towards a sustainable EPS cycle: Industry associations enable us to actively promote recycling programs for packaging and construction waste. When it comes to demolition waste, EPS is recycled, any HBCD flame retardant contained in it is eliminated and bromine is recovered. sunpor is one of the initiators and operators of the „PS Loop“ initiative, which is committed to establishing an international EPS cycle economy. A pilot plant with innovative upcycling technology is currently under construction in Terneuzen (NL). Our expertise in extrusion also makes us one of the technological driving forces behind the conversion of EPS recycling material into high-quality insulation material.
Grey EPS: Added value and handling
What added value does grey Lambdapor® offer over white EPS?
Both practical and ecological added value. Lambdapor® offers up to 25 percent better insulation compared with white EPS boards of the same thickness. This helps reduce energy costs further – or the same insulating effect compared with white EPS using less insulating material and taking up less space. Both the energy and material savings improve the ecological footprint of the insulation.
What is the added value of Lambdapor® over grey EPS from other suppliers?
Lambdapor® has been viewed as the strongest insulation on the market for around two decades now. The leading technology behind Lambdapor® offers added value not only for users, but also for processors: They benefit from higher productivity enabled by lower energy consumption levels and shorter cycle times in production. Superior foaming and uniform processing performance while maintaining optimum stability optimise the mechanical properties of the end product while reducing waste during production. Low material requirements stem from the fact that Lambdapor®, depending on the required density, can be expanded to the lowest density with one or two rounds of pre-expansions. As Lambdapor® allows high-quality production even with reduced steam pressure, recycled material is easy to reprocess.
How can the performance of Lambdapor® be optimally exploited during processing?
Lambdapor® generally requires lower steam pressure than other grey or white EPS grades for pre-foaming. An initial pre-expansion of up to 13.5 or 14 kg is possible. The optimum conditions depend on the desired density. Our service team helps you to optimise processing from both a technical and economic standpoint.
sunpor & more
What sets the special profile of sunpor apart in the EPS industry?
The combination of industrial capacity and unparalleled international expertise with clear structures and personal service. All of this being underpinned by unconditional commitment: Since 1986 we have concentrated exclusively and comprehensively on the technological enhancement of EPS.
What gives sunpor-EPS its special position on the market?
Stable quality, variety of applications and personal technical support. We get more out of EPS for processors and users alike with combined expertise in polymerisation and extrusion. We offer our customers the entire range of product types for any application and in any size: from leading insulation technology and packaging material with specific colours and surfaces to innovative EPS ideas. Our technical support department is on hand to help with you with any issues you may have from the selection or development or products to the optimisation of processing.
What sets sunpor apart as a supplier?
Our customers can be sure that agreed lead times and prices will be met. We guarantee consistent quality for all deliveries, as we are committed to quality standards defined by European manufacturers. This ensures that our products meet the highest possible safety and quality standards. Through your cooperation with European manufacturers you also support the work of national and international associations such as EUMEPS, which are committed to an ecologically sustainable EPS industry.