Saving energy with slim-line polyurethanes

Insulating materials made from polyurethanes are the ideal choice for architects in the Arabian Gulf

For a long time, the people of Dubai didn't give a second some time, the United Arab Emirates actually had energy to spare. It was also due to the fact that the traditional architecture of the region, with its thick walls and small windows, was well-adapted to the climate. For a long time now, creative architects working in what is known as "the world's most modern city", aimed to plan and build to the highest Western standards, and felt under no obligation to adhere to this style, which offers such a limited range of design possibilities. For this reason, insulating materials made from polyurethanes are the ideal choice for architects in the Arabian Gulf. Joachim Kleser again: "Rigid polyurethane foams have the lowest thermal conductivity of all insulating materials currently in use, which enables them to provide optimum insulation whilst offering the greatest possible freedom of design." The fact that walls insulated using materials made from polyurethane rigid foams are considerably thinner than those insulated using other materials means that polyurethane, which is the world's foremost insulating material, enables architects to design and construct buildings that comply with all
energy-saving directives, but do not come into the category of clumsy 'vacuum flask architecture'.
First and foremost, the polyurethane insulation panels used during the construction of the Madinat Jumeriah are made from Sahrafoam®, which is a trademark of Pearl Insulation Materials Industries. Pearl Insulation is a system house in Dubai getting technical assistance and buying raw materials from Bayer MaterialScience. These durable yet lightweight panels can be machined without any special tools, are extremely heat resistant, are unaffected by temperature fluctuations and absorb very little moisture thanks to their high concentration of closed pores. They are also dimensionally stable across a wide range of temperatures and biologically safe for use in buildings. If necessary, they are even strong enough to be walked on and are also available in a flame-retardant version (B2). Pearl has supplied Sahrafoam® system to the local company Trade Circle Technical Industries. TCTI have used the system to manufacture boards which have been used for insulation in various areas. Pearl supplies insulation chemicals for refrigerators, panels and spray foam systems, all of which incorporate raw materials from Bayer MaterialScience.
The slim-line polyurethane rigid foam panels not only provide unobtrusive insulation, but also are used to positive effect when added to the interior of a building during
renovation, in that they reduce the loss of living space that can be caused by insulating layers that are too thick. This means that both ultra-modern new-builds and buildings that though quite new, are still un-insulated, can be brought up to the latest standard very quickly and effectively. "As an argument, this is not only finding favor in the Gulf, but many European architects are now warming to the idea, for example in Germany, where it is necessary to comply with the requirements of the new Energy Saving Directive that was introduced at the start of last year – and these requirements are considerably more stringent than those in Dubai," adds Mr. Kleser.

Leverkusen, 2003-05-19