Midland, MI - April 03, 2012
Building insulation products from Dow Building Solutions have been recertified by the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM program, a well-known, multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product’s material content, recyclability and manufacturing characteristics. Originally certified in 2010 and recertified in 2011, after rigorous analysis in 2012, STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation recertified at the SILVER level and THERMAX™ Insulation achieved BASIC recertification.
“When evaluating sustainable building materials, Dow advocates taking a ‘holistic’ approach, and we feel the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM program provides a strong indication of a product’s comparative value when looking at energy efficient solutions and underscores Dow’s commitment to meeting its 2015 Sustainability Goals,” said Michael Kontranowski, strategic market director for Dow Building Solutions. “However, the process of evaluating the sustainability profile of our products does not end with Cradle to Cradle Certification. Because the program looks at the entire product life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal – we are able to identify key priorities for continuous improvement. At Dow we are committed to constantly improving the environmental profile of our products so that they remain affordable, accessible, sustainable, durable, and easy to use and install for builders, contractors and designers around the world. In the meantime, we are proud to have achieved recertification.”
Unlike single-attribute eco-labels, the certification program uses a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the sustainable attributes of a product, as well as the practices employed in manufacturing the product. In cooperation with MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), a global sustainability consulting firm, the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM process evaluates products across five different life cycle categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy use, water stewardship, and social responsibility.
Dow products that are Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM may be eligible to contribute toward points in building certifications, such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Rating Systems.
“At Dow, we strive to offer solutions that insulate, protect and enhance the entire building envelope for maximum energy efficiency and performance to help create a more energy efficient world,” said Kontranowski.
About Dow Building Solutions
Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing energy saving solutions to the global commercial and residential construction industry, which began with the launch of its flagship STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, one of the most recognized brands of insulation in the world. A market-facing business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Building Solutions offers exceptional building science expertise to help builders, designers, architects and home/building owners reduce energy costs and protect against wind, rain and moisture, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More information about Dow Building Solutions can be found at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2012, Dow had annual sales of approximately $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
Note*: Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM is a certification mark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
For Editorial Information:
Jan McKinnon
The Dow Chemical Company
1 519-541-0336