Bayer MaterialScience Helps Hurricane-Damaged Community Rebuild With Stronger, More Sustainable Insulation
BaySystems, the umbrella brand for the global polyurethane systems operations of Bayer MaterialScience, LLC, is contributing to rebuilding efforts in Hurricane Katrina-devastated Long Beach, Miss. BaySystems is donating spray polyurethane foam insulation to model homes that are being built with steel frames and walls in order to withstand future hurricanes and storms.
The new homes are part of the ArcelorMittal Community Revitalization Housing Program. BaySystems has donated seven sets of Bayseal closed cell spray polyurethane foam to insulate the homes that will serve as models for a new planned community in Long Beach. Bayseal foam may also be used to insulate a new senior center in the area.
"Bayseal is a perfect fit for the rebuilding project in Long Beach," said Renee Zierden, general manager, BaySystems. "Not only will the insulation add strength to the homes, but it will also increase energy efficiency and help protect the homes from possible damages caused by high humidity."
Spray polyurethane foam offers several advantages over traditional fiberglass batt insulation, including:
- Ability to expand and fill all cracks when applied, thereby virtually sealing a home from moisture and air leakage.
- Adding structural strength to the building. Independent tests showed spray polyurethane foam provides resistance to shearing and racking events such as hurricanes and other strong wind situations.
- Reducing the chance of mold growth.
Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam is classified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as "highly resistant to floodwater damage," capable of withstanding direct and prolonged contact with floodwater without sustaining significant damage. Fiberglass batt is classified as "unacceptable" (FEMA Technical Bulletin 2/ August 2008).
Effective March 1, 2007, Bayer MaterialScience has combined its entire global polyurethane systems business under the umbrella brand of BaySystems. This change affects not only existing product brands in this segment, but also the global network of polyurethane systems houses. More information about BaySystems can be found at www.bayer-baysystems.com.
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,400 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2007 sales of 10.4 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Our inorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals industry.
Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and high-tech materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America, Bayer had 2007 net sales of 8.1 billion euros and employed 16,800 at year end. Bayer's three subgroups, Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience, improve people's lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose, prevent and treat diseases; protect crops and enhance yields; and advance automobile safety and durability.
For more information about BaySystems, visit www.bayer-baysystems.com.
For more information visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.
SOURCE: BaySystems