Ecobuild, ExCel, London, 20 to 22 March 2012
Standnumber: S2446
Everberg, Belgium – Smart water management experts from Huntsman will exhibit at Ecobuild in March as part of the continued global roll out of VYDRO® substrate, the company’s popular ultra-lightweight, plant-growing material for green roofs and vertical walls.
Introduced in early 2011, VYDRO® substrate was the first flexible substance of its kind developed specifically for skyrise garden and living wall applications. Up to 70% lighter than most other green roofing materials and with exceptional hydrophilic qualities, VYDRO® substrate is the ideal water management and growth medium layer for any type of green roof or vertical wall – particularly retrofit projects in countries such as the UK where older properties tend to dominate urban centers.
A fully loaded green roof constructed using VYDRO® substrate typically weighs less than 70kg per square meter, making it far lighter than conventional solutions, which generally exceed 100kg over the same size area. Across a 100 square meter roof this translates to a potential weight saving of around 30 tonnes – an exciting proposition for the owners of older buildings who to want to add a green roof but are deterred by the costs associated with undertaking major structural works to improve the load bearing capabilities of their property.
During Ecobuild, Huntsman will showcase the full extent of VYDRO® substrate’s capabilities, highlighting core case studies from across Europe. Less than a year after its launch, this novel material has been installed in more than twenty locations, helping to transform metropolitan areas in all major regions of the world.
Tony Dent, Global Green Roof Business Manager at Huntsman, said: “In cities like London, where green space is at a premium, the development of sky gardens and living walls is essential to the future wellbeing of urban dwellers. With a green roof policy in place since 2008, London is a frontrunner in the industry with new high-rise green areas emerging all the time. Yet one fundamental question still hangsover historical centers such as London, preventing wide scale roll out: how can you retrofit older properties where the roofs were not designed to be a functional outdoor or planting space? That’s where VYDRO® substrate can help.
“Super lightweight in comparison to conventional green roofing products, VYDRO® substrate can be used on properties where weight and structural strength may be a critical factor – quickly turning them from barren concrete areas into tranquil green spaces, without racking up costs associated with additional expensive building works. This is a huge advantage for designers, developers and property owners alike, and we are extremely excited about the opportunities that will arise from taking VYDRO® substrate to London and Ecobuild – the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment.”
VYDRO® substrate has a unique capiliary structure that can absorb up to 30 times its own weight inwater. This feature traps and retains rainwater for plant growth, releasing it slowly back into a city’s drainage system – a benefit in areas prone to flash floods where huge amounts of water can be unleashed overwhelming gutters, pipes and sewers.
Huntsman has more than 25 years experience in the polyurethanes industry and a reputation for excellence in the development of best-in-class materials for sustainable innovation.
