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Toprock DD high-density uncoated stone wool insulation board for low-slope roof applications. D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 35 Insulation P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y T H E RO C K WO O L G RO U P Next-gen insulation products are revolutionizing construction and driving sustainable innovation by ROBIN BRUNET T he seemingly endless demand of regulatory bodies to improve the energy efficiency of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings may be a headache for developers, but one thing is undeniable: it's keeping insulation providers and manufactur- ers busy and driving product innovation. A prime example is Soprema, which for over a century has developed high-end insulation solutions for the construction industry. Its Sopra-XPS extruded polystyrene thermal insulation panels are primarily used as thermal insulation for foundations, walls, parking decks, and inverted roof systems, including plaza decks and green roofs. Also, Soprema's Sopra-Cellulose is a thermal and acoustic product used to insulate interior and exterior walls, attics, floors, and ceilings. But the real noteworthy aspect of these products is that they were made possible by a unique initiative implemented by Soprema and named Sopraloop, which recycles and recovers certain residual materials by transforming them into high-performance insulation products. Hence, the entire Sopra-XPS line consists of up to 70 percent recycled and recovered content, while Sopra- Cellulose is made from over 80 percent recycled paper and cardboard and 15 percent flame-retardant materials. Sopraloop is a collection and recycling program for residual materials from paper, cardboard, glassine, and polystyrene. These materials are then trans- formed into thermal and acoustic insulation products at Soprema's Sherbrooke BOUND BY BARRIERS and Sainte-Julie plants, in Quebec. Due to this process, nearly 25,000 tonnes of paper, cardboard, and glassine, along with about 10,000 tonnes of polystyrene are recycled in that province, making Soprema one of the largest polystyrene recyclers in North America. Concrete continues to be regarded as a material that helps achieve ever- stringent energy efficiency requirements, and Brian Hall, managing director at the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI), points out that the R-values of the Double Wythe Insulated Precast Concrete Wall Panels long endorsed by his organization "range from R-5 to R-50. The vast majority of the insulating properties come directly from the insulation; however, concrete also has some insulating properties. "Compared to other construction materials, these panels have a high thermal mass [the ability of materials to absorb, store, and release heat]. Concrete's natu- ral capacity to absorb and store heat and cold helps precast concrete insulated panels delay and reduce HVAC loads. This may lower the initial construction cost, since a lower-capacity HVAC system is enough for a structure." Hall adds, "The energy efficiency of Double Wythe Insulated Precast Concrete Wall Panels is a crucial advantage. The slowed release of heat and cold means the concrete's thermal mass can shift demand to off-peak times when utility rates are lower, reducing energy costs. Precast structures are energy efficient because of the exceptionally tight building envelope produced by insulated precast concrete panels along the connectors with low heat conductivity. Heat transfer from the interior concrete wythe to the exterior and vice versa is reduced by low heat conductivity wythe connectors. As a result, heat is retained indoors during the winter and outside during the summer." Another notable insulation product is stone wool manufactured by The Rockwool Group. This system is made from volcanic rock and has many inher- ent strengths that make it desirable for use in insulation, acoustic, design, and other applications. It is also fully recyclable and sustainable, and the company

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