Dow Building Solutions becomes Passivhaus Trust member

Dow Building Solutions - manufacturer of STYROFOAM-A and XENERGY extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation - has become a member of the Passivhaus Trust in recognition of the role its products can play in Passivhaus construction.

The Passivhaus Trust is an independent, non-profit organisation that aims to promote the principles of Passivhaus as a highly effective way of reducing energy use and carbon emissions from buildings in the UK, as well as providing high standards of comfort and building health.

“Our insulation products were extensively used in one of the first certified English Passivhaus developments and in the first rural affordable housing scheme to gain Passivhaus certification in the UK at Wimbish in Essex, which won the residential category at the 2012 UK Passivhaus Awards,” explained Jayne Law MBE, Sales and Marketing Manager for Dow Building Solutions in the UK and Ireland. “This means we have an excellent track record in this growing method of building for energy efficiency.”

Passivhaus standard buildings retain heat created within them as well as generating passive solar gain, eliminating the need for central heating and reducing fuel costs.  The Passivhaus standard requires, amongst other things, very high levels of insulation (in order to meet U-values of below 0.15 W/m2K for walls, roof and floor), a design that makes the most of solar energy and superb sealing throughout.

Over 37,000 units of houses, schools, offices and other buildings have been designed, built and tested to the standard across the world. The approach is rapidly growing in popularity in the UK as developers and designers strive to meet zero carbon targets.  

STYROFOAM-A and XENERGY XPS materials are highly durable with proven moisture-resistance and compressive strength, enabling the insulation to perform outside the waterproofing envelope. The product range includes FLOORMATE 300-A which can be installed below concrete floor slabs, helping to minimise thermal bridges at floor and wall junctions and further reduce heat loss.

“We’re really pleased to welcome Dow Building Solutions into the Passivhaus Trust family, as it offers materials and expertise which are highly relevant to this exciting method of building design,” added Roger Southcott Membership & Events Co-ordinator.  “It’s great to see a company of such a high calibre and long history supporting and promoting the Passivhaus approach as designers and developers strive to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in the UK.”