Luis Enriquez, Ecodek (Epwin Group), develops wood-polymer composite materials for exterior applications such as fencing and decking. Fire resistance is not generally required today for such applications, but may be required where they are used on balconies or near to buildings, particularly as external thermal insulation is increasingly present. Fire performance of wood-polymer materials is currently being discussed in CEN 15534.
Ecodek wishes to be ahead of developments with solutions for PIN fire safety treatment of its products. Ecodek is also today working on use of recycled materials, e.g. in Horizon 2020 projects SMART-Plant-Plant (fibres from sewage), GelClad (building insulation extruded aerogel from recycled polymers) and FISSAC (circular economy in the construction industry). Ecodek has been based in Wales, UK, since the beginning, back in 2002, and has produced over 2200 km of wood-polymer composite decking. Ecodek decking has achieved BS EN ISO 9239-1 and BS EN ISO 11925-2 2010 fire performance and BS EN ISO 9239-1 smoke emission standards. Ecodek has a proactive sustainability policy including independently verified carbon-negative production, use of recycled HDPE polymer, zero landfill objectives and work with local wildlife and landscape organisations. http://ecodek.co.uk/
Christoph Justen, Armacell,provides rigid PET foams for applications requiring demanding mechanical properties and light weight, such as wind turbine blades and structural elements in transport applications. Armacell is producing such technical materials from post-consumer plastics waste (recovered PET bottles). PIN flame retardants provide solutions to achieve demanding fire performance and low smoke toxicity, for example to achieve EU railway requirements (EN45545, DIN 5510 or NF F 16-101). Customers are increasingly requiring testing of the foam itself, not only in the finished product (where the foam is behind protective cladding), so the performance of stand-alone product has to be increasingly improved. Therefore, challenges include identifying PIN synergists to further improve fire performance and reduce smoke emission.As the inventors of flexible foam for equipment insulation and a leading provider of engineered foams, Armacell develops innovative and safe thermal, acoustic and mechanical solutions that create sustainable value for its customers. Armacell is a global company: 3,000 employees, 25 production plants, 16 countries, four continents. Armacell´s products contribute to global energy efficiency making a difference around the world every day. The Advanced Insulation business focuses on insulation materials for technical equipment. The Engineered Foams business develops high-performance foams that are used in high-tech and lightweight applications. See www.armacell.com and http://www.armacell-core-foams.com