Akil Sahiwala, Polyurethane Systems Leader (Middle East), Dow Chemicals

Dubai, UAE, 30 October 2018: Technical experience, global scope and local approach to market challenges serve as the main ingredients for Dow Chemical’s ‘Insulation Science’ portfolio, said Akil Sahiwala, Polyurethane Systems Leader (Middle East), Dow Chemicals, in highlighting the energy efficiency and sustainability features of its polyurethane foam systems and solutions. Company innovations, Sahiwala said, aim to help manufacturers by providing effective thermal insulation in construction and cold chain.

Making a case for its benefits for the construction industry, Sahiwala said enhanced energy efficiency and savings in buildings can be achieved through the use of polyurethane roof and wall insulation, wall and window insulation and pipe insulation, all of which ensure that temperatures are maintained. “When spray foam is applied to building roofs,” he said, “it forms a continuous barrier to effectively resist heat transfer, thus, reducing air infiltration and providing a moisture barrier.” In this vein, Sahiwala highlighted the company’s Voracortm, which, he stressed, “delivers exceptional thermal insulation with a significantly reduced carbon footprint”.

For cold chain applications, Sahiwala presented the company’s Voracor polyurethane systems and its wide range of pre-blended blowing agents for refrigerated trucks, walk-in coolers and commercial refrigerators, for thermal efficiency and to help meet industry regulations. “The versatility of these rigid polyurethane foams, along with their insulation properties, structural strength and adhesion performance, make it a popular choice for applications, where fill is needed for a variety of different-shaped cavities or structures,” he said, highlighting the blowing agents’ zero-ODP and low-GWP features, in compliance with international protocols and mandates.

Sahiwala also highlighted the company’s Voratec polyurethane systems, to help household appliances meet new energy regulations, while ensuring flexibility. “In appliances, polyurethane use means that less energy is needed to power refrigerators, freezers, water heaters and other such units, which again results in considerable energy savings,” he said. He added that the polyurethanes industry continues to endorse minimising the environmental impact of its product and highlighted that polyurethane rigid foam has been recognised as one of the best insulation materials available to help achieve energy-efficiency targets, reduce cost and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. “It is a proven fact that reducing energy consumption is the most immediate and cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure security of energy supply,” he said. “Finding ways to streamline energy use also has great potential to enhance industrial competitiveness, to create millions of jobs, reduce energy poverty and increase comfort levels.”

Hannah Jo Uy is Assistant Editor at Climate Control Middle East magazine. She may be contacted at hannah@cpi-industry.com