A team of top U.S. economic advisors is in Beijing to meet with Chinese officials about China’s discriminatory intellectual property and forced technology transfer practices. Looming over these discussions is a possible trade war between the U.S. and China over proposed actions resulting from USTR’s Section 301 investigation of China’s practices. With $5 billion in […]
Tag Archives: Energy
Approaching hurricane season underscores importance of well-built homes
Hurricane season is approaching, and Floridians will soon prepare themselves and their homes for potentially serious storms. Everyone knows that preparing for a hurricane includes making sure buildings are as secure as possible, including boarding up the windows and removing loose items that may damage nearby structures. However, building scientists understand the importance of building […]
Summer heat coming! Learn how to maximize energy efficiency on newly redesigned WhySprayFoam.Org
With the summer months bearing down on us, temperatures rising, and air conditioners working overtime to keep us all cool, it’s a great time to think about the energy efficiency of your home. Did you know as much as 40% of a home’s energy is lost due to air infiltration? Gaps, holes and air leaks […]
In the zone: Appalachian region could become a major center of petrochemicals and plastics manufacturing
With its abundant energy resources and proximity to manufacturing markets, the Appalachian Region is poised to become a major center of petrochemical and plastics products manufacturing in the United States, similar to the Gulf Coast, according to a recent report from the American Chemistry Council (ACC). ACC’s report, The Potential Economic Benefits of an Appalachian […]
Chemistry 101 at #AIACon17
The American Institute of Architects’ Conference on Architecture brings together thousands of architects and building and design industry professionals this week in Orlando, with the opportunity to see the latest innovative building products and meet with companies that support the industry. American Chemistry Council members are showcasing products that enable the latest efficient, durable and […]
The key to building energy efficiency? A sound building envelope
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation can increase the energy-efficiency of a home by creating a sound building envelope, which shields the home’s living areas from the outdoor environment. Homes can lose as much as 40 percent of heating and cooling energy through cracks and gaps in the building envelope. SPF acts as an effective barrier […]
Spray foam insulation brings ambitious sustainability goals within reach
In September, California Governor Jerry Brown signed ambitious climate change legislation that set an even higher bar than previous laws – California would now have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. This integrated plan to address climate change includes doubling energy efficiency savings at existing buildings. Along with other […]
Plastics reduce environmental cost by nearly four times compared to alternative materials
The results of a new study are disrupting “conventional wisdom” about the sustainability of plastics. The study, conducted by Trucost, found that the environmental costs of using plastics in packaging and consumer goods is nearly four times less than they would be if plastics were replaced with alternative materials. While the environmental costs to produce […]
What do a solar panel and pacemaker have in common?
From solar panels to medical devices to sports safety equipment to personal care products, silicones are used in thousands of products. This family of high performance materials is crucial to countless industries, including medicine, construction, transportation, fashion, and sports. A recent socio-economic report released by the Global Silicones Council underscores just how important silicones are […]
Spray foam insulation and California’s goal for zero net energy
Residential and commercial buildings together in the United States account for about 40 percent of total energy consumption – a greater share than either the industrial or transportation sectors. Furthermore, residential energy consumption exceeds commercial, accounting for 22 percent of total primary energy consumption. California has been a leader in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse […]
