Rohm and Haas announces new technology for the home insulation market

With the new technology, Rohm and Haas is able to manufacture an acrylic binder that can replace the phenol-formaldehyde binder that has traditionally been used to bond glass fibers for insulation.The new acrylic thermoset technology was engineered jointly with Johns Manville and allows Rohm and Haas to provide the acrylic binder for the new line of Johns Manville formaldehyde-free insulation. All Johns Manville fiberglass building insulation will use the new acrylic binder going forward and will be formaldehyde-free.

"This is breakthrough technology for home-building, today and tomorrow," said Hal Morris, technical service manager for Rohm and Haas Company. "This technology provides the insulation producer with environmentally smart options which reduce concerns about indoor air quality for consumers."

Acrylic thermoset technology allows Rohm and Haas to manufacture products that are not made with formaldehyde or formaldehyde-generating chemicals, and except under unusual or abnormal service conditions (e.g. as in fire) will not release formaldehyde. Similar technology has recently been used in oven insulation and specialty filtration markets as well as in the vinyl flooring industry.