Contents Plastic extrusion process, section of machine (Mikeeg555 [Wikipedia] 2011). XPS Extruded Polystyrene in use as insulation in buildings. (Selector 2012). XPS Extruded Polystyrene (Woodbury 2010). Extruded Polystyrene - XPS

Contents References How is it Produced Construction Use/ Best Practice Construction Use/ Best Practice Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Limitations and Considerations Sustainable Alternatives

Contents References How is it Produced Construction Use/ Best Practice Construction Use/ Best Practice Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Limitations and Considerations Sustainable Alternatives How it is produced? Extruded Polystyrene, XPS is an insulation manufactured through a plastic extrusion process whereby raw plastic material is melted and formed into a continuous profile. Generally the polystyrene is manufacture with a CO2 blowing agent. This process is similar to a regular extrusion process up until the die. The reason this process is used is because the manufacture then has the ability to change the thickness to whatever they wish. This process releases no chemicals with ozone depleting potential (ODP) and has minimal gobal warming potential (Global Warming Potentials of ODS Substitutes 2012).

Contents References How is it Produced Construction Use/ Best Practice Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Limitations and Considerations Sustainable Alternatives Construction Use / Best Practice Extruded Polystyrene is ideal for many areas of commercial, residential and civil construction. The100% closed cell, high performance profile makes it ideal for insulation in buildings and especially useful for moisture prone places, as the boards closed cells are very strong, highly moisture resistant and easy to cut and shape. Extruded Polystyrenes’ resistance to water and compression make it the ideal insulation for extreme conditions, and heavy domestic and industrial loads. It is also used in model building particular architectural models, as it is lightweight and easy to handle, resists deformation well and versatile in that is allows surfaces finishes to be cut into the boards easily. These properties make it an almost uniform substitute for corrugated cardboard which is easily subjected to deformation (Knauf Insulation 2012).

Contents References How is it Produced Construction Use/ Best Practice Construction Use/ Best Practice Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Limitations and Considerations Sustainable Alternatives Sustainability Advantages CFC free. High strength = 50 year product lifecycle High R-Values = increased energy efficiency Virtually 100% moisture resistant Zero ODP Green star compliant Green product = lowers greenhouse gas emissions Low water absorption = increased thermal performance Guaranteed long-term thermal performance = 20 year warranty. (Austech 2012). Sustainability Disadvantages Discarded polystyrene does not biodegrade for hundreds of years. However, extruded polystyrene are usually made with hydro-flauro-carbons which have global warming potentials of approximately 1000–1300 times that of carbon dioxide. Polystyrene is a major component of plastic debris in the ocean, where it becomes toxic to marine life. (John Vogler 1984)

Contents References How is it Produced Construction Use/ Best Practice Construction Use/ Best Practice Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Limitations and Considerations Sustainable Alternatives Limitations and Considerations Extruded Polystyrene XPS is easy to install and offers a high performance thermal insulation for your building. Because of the extrusion manufacturing process, XPS does not require facers to maintain its thermal or physical property performance. Polystyrene is flammable. (Austech 2012).

Contents References How is it Produced Construction Use/ Best Practice Construction Use/ Best Practice Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Sustainability Advantages/Disadvantages Limitations and Considerations Sustainable Alternatives Wool Rrenewable resource, can be locally sourced, High R-Value, lowest embodied energy of any insulation product, zero ozone depletion potential, low volatile organic compound rating and no formaldehyde (Higgins Insulation, 2012).

Contents References Reference List Austech 2012, Foamular – Polyboard Enviro 300, zero ODP Extruded Polystyrene Insulation, (online), Available: (30 th March 2012) Global Warming Potentials of ODS Substitutes 2012, Ozone Layer Protection, EPA.gov, Available: (30 th March 2012) Higgins Insulation, 2012, Environmental Statement, (online), Available: (30 th March 2012) John Vogler 1984, Small Scale Recyling of Plastics. Intermediate Technology Publication. p Knauf Insulation 2012, Polystyrene, (online), Available: (30 th March 2012) Mikeeg555 [Wikipedia] 2011, Plastic extruder cut in half and labelled, (online), Available: (30 th March 2012) Selector 2012, Polyboard Enviro 300 zero-ODP extruded polystyrene insulation, (online), Available: (30 th March 2012) Woodbury 2010, Extruded Polystyrene Foam Insulation (XPS), (online), Available: (30 th March 2012)