Absorbing demand in the premium construction market with outstanding durability
PF board draws attention for combining eco-friendliness with semi-noncombustibility
As interest in energy efficiency has grown recently across the construction industry and industry as a whole, the insulation market is expanding rapidly. According to global market research firm Technavio this past August, the global insulation market is projected to record an average annual growth rate of 5.6% through 2028, expanding to roughly USD 24.3 billion. In particular, as the trend of improving building energy efficiency and favoring eco-friendly construction materials continues, the importance of eco-friendly insulation is expected to be further emphasized.
Regulatory changes such as the quality certification system for construction materials aimed at fire safety are also playing a significant role in the rising demand for insulation. Because insulation used in buildings must meet semi-noncombustible performance standards that make it resistant to burning, PF (phenolic foam) board—which offers both eco-friendliness and semi-noncombustibility—is drawing attention. PF board is a high-performance insulation material that delivers excellent insulation performance despite its thin profile, and its eco-friendly qualities have made it increasingly popular even in high-rise and non-residential buildings.
Amid this growing industry interest in PF board, the PF board from ‘Hugreen,’ the eco-friendly construction materials brand of Kumho Petrochemical, is attracting attention for its differentiated technology and its potential for use in green building projects.
Sharing in the recognition of the need for zero-energy buildings, Hugreen obtained a low-carbon certification this past July so that Hugreen PF board can be utilized in green building projects. Because using low-carbon construction materials in residential and non-residential housing can earn bonus points under the green building certification system, demand for Hugreen PF board in green building projects is expected to rise.
In addition, the product has obtained the highest ‘Best’ grade of the HB Mark, a certification for eco-friendly construction materials, as well as the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification. For the HB Mark, the Korea Air Cleaning Association measures the emission intensity of organic compounds from construction materials produced at home and abroad and awards one of three differentiated grades—Good, Excellent, and Best. Hugreen PF board strictly manages the emission levels of various organic compounds during the manufacturing process, earning the ‘Best’ grade, the highest grade of the HB Mark.
As a premium insulation material, Hugreen PF board also offers outstanding durability. It passed the semi-noncombustible performance test revised in February 2022, demonstrating fire stability and a fire-spread-delaying effect. It also contains no halogen components, so it produces little toxic gas even when it burns. Its insulation performance is also excellent. Its thermal conductivity is the highest level among insulation materials (0.020 W/m·k), yet its thickness has been minimized for convenient installation. It boasts a thickness approximately 48% thinner than that of ‘Na’-grade insulation.
Heo Kwon-wook, head of Kumho Petrochemical’s Construction Materials Division, said, “PF board is one of the insulation materials seeing growing demand thanks to its semi-noncombustibility and insulation performance,” adding, “Hugreen PF board has relatively high durability, so demand for it is increasing in the premium construction market.”
Meanwhile, Hugreen is a portmanteau of ‘Humanism’ and ‘Green,’ and is Kumho Petrochemical’s eco-friendly construction materials brand that considers both people and the environment. Placing respect for humanity as its highest value, Hugreen strives to realize a beautiful and comfortable residential culture based on a brand philosophy of living together in harmony with nature. More detailed information on this can be found on Kumho Petrochemical’s official Hugreen website (www.hugreen.kr).
▲ Kumho Petrochemical Hugreen PF board