Honeywell's Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent Receives Highest Hail-Resistance Rating From Leading Building Insurer

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that a spray foam roofing system formulated with Solstice™ Liquid Blowing Agent is the first such system to receive a severe hail rating from FM Global, one of the world's largest business insurers, through the insurer's FM Approvals certification program. The roofing system, which was developed by Ohio-based West Development Group, may reduce insurance premiums for building owners.

FM Approvals' hail resistance test evaluates the ability of the roof covering and substrate to resist cracking, puncturing or tearing that can be caused by hail.  The official definition of severe hail used by the National Weather Service is hail that measures ¾ inch or greater; however, hail smaller than ¾ inch can still cause damage.

In addition to the severe hail rating, the system met FM Approvals' requirements for wind-uplift, flammability, leaks, foot traffic, and corrosion performance.

"FM Approvals' testing and rating demonstrates that spray foam roofing formulated with Honeywell's Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent is the superior choice for roofing in areas subject to damaging hail storms such as the Midwest and southwest U.S.," said Dick West, president of West Development Group. "We believe spray foam roofing formulated using Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent represents a step change compared with other spray foam roofing systems, which may not withstand the most severe hail storms."

The nation's annual average loss from hail damages to property is $852 million, and the average number of hail-related catastrophes is 15 per year, according to the Illinois State Water Survey.

Blowing agents allow closed-cell spray foam insulation to expand and provide the majority of the foam's excellent insulating properties. Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent, also known as Solstice LBA, is a next-generation blowing agent with a global warming potential of 1, significantly lower than hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blowing agents. Solstice LBA is nonflammable, has received EPA approval under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program and is not a volatile organic compound.

"Solstice LBA delivers the optimal combination of performance, environmental benefits, safety and cost effectiveness," said Sanjeev Rastogi, business director, Honeywell Fluorine Products. "We continue to see strong interest and adoption of this new blowing agent in applications ranging from spray foam to appliance insulation."

Spray foam roofing systems save energy, resist high winds, and protect the substrate against damage from hail and wind driven projectiles. Spray foam roofing systems have proven durable during recent hurricanes, hail storms, and other severe weather conditions. 

In addition to Solstice LBA, Honeywell's family of Solstice-branded products includes stationary and mobile refrigerants, gaseous blowing agents, propellants, and solvents based on Honeywell's new hydrofluoro-olefin technology that helps customers lower their carbon footprint without sacrificing end-product performance.

The products have been developed and are being commercialized by Honeywell's Fluorine Products business, a leader in the manufacture and supply of zero ozone-depleting refrigerants used by top air-conditioning and refrigeration makers worldwide, and blowing agents for energy-efficient foam insulation, as well as hydrofluoric acid and precursors for nuclear fuel.

To learn more about Solstice LBA, visit www.honeywell-solsticelba.com.

Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies is a global leader in developing and manufacturing advanced materials and process technologies. These materials and technologies are used by people every day in a wide range of industries and applications, from petroleum refining to environmentally friendlier refrigerants to bullet-resistant vests. Our advanced materials are critical in the manufacture of products ranging from nylon to computer chips to pharmaceutical packaging. Process technologies developed by our UOP business form the foundation for most of the world's refiners, efficiently producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and petrochemicals. UOP is now pioneering technology to produce real fuels from renewable energy sources.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

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SOURCE Honeywell