May 7 2014
Cabot Corporation announces that Fixit 222, an aerogel-containing insulating plaster product, was recently recognized with a prestigious innovation award. The product, which features Cabot’s aerogel technology, solved a complex technical challenge involving the renovation of historical buildings in Europe.
Fixit AG partnered with the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technology, regionally known as EMPA, to develop Fixit 222, which provides more than two times the insulation capabilities of currently available insulating plasters. This January, Fixit AG and EMPA won the “Umweltpreis Schweiz,” which is the Environmental Award-Switzerland in the innovation category. Fixit 222 earned the award over 75 other entrants.
Fixit 222 combines Cabot’s highly insulating aerogel with hydraulic lime plaster to produce an insulating plaster for renovating historical buildings. The aerogel-containing material gives builders all the aesthetic and performance advantages of mineral plaster, along with a low thermal conductivity that is superior to expanded polystyrene (EPS) boards. As a result, builders who use Fixit 222 are able to maintain the original external appearance that complies with historic preservation requirements, while making the buildings more energy efficient. Further, the combination of aerogel and lime creates a lightweight material that is non-flammable and allows for the elimination of environmentally hazardous flame retardants. The insulating plaster can be processed with conventional application machines for both indoor and outdoor areas.
Fixit AG introduced Fixit 222 into European markets in the spring of 2013. Since then, the material has been used to insulate more than 5,000 square meters of wall space for 35 building renovation projects.
“We believe aerogel can help our customers create genuine breakthroughs in energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprints, and reducing energy costs in buildings around the world,” said Raj Chary, vice president and general manager, Cabot Aerogel. “We are proud of our collaboration with Fixit AG. This project is a powerful example of how we are committed to open innovation and extensive collaborations with other companies. We want to help our commercial partners and customers advance their business in their markets, and aerogel can be a powerful driver to helping them reach their goals.”
Cabot’s aerogel was named Best Overall Innovation and Innovation with Best Environmental Benefit at the tenth annual ICIS Innovation Awards last October.
WHAT IS CABOT AEROGEL?
Sometimes called “frozen smoke,” aerogel is the lightest and best insulating solid in the world. Cabot's aerogel is a hydrophobic aerogel produced as particles. Each particle consists of more than 90 percent air, contained in a structure that inhibits heat transfer, for unmatched insulation performance. Cabot produces its aerogel products, including the Lumira® aerogel and Enova® aerogel brands in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located near Frankfurt, Germany where it began commercial production in 2003. Cabot certifies it has completed the EU REACH pre-registrations required for all Cabot aerogel products. For more information about Cabot aerogel please visit http://www.cabotaerogel.com.
ABOUT CABOT CORPORATION
Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is a leading provider of rubber and specialty carbons, activated carbon, inkjet colorants, cesium formate drilling fluids, fumed silica, aerogel, and elastomer composites. For more information on Cabot, please visit the company’s website at: http://www.cabotcorp.com.
ABOUT FIXIT
To read more about Fixit, go to www.fixit.ch.
ABOUT EMPA
To read more about the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technology, also known as EMPA, go to www.empa.ch.
Source: http://www.cabot-corp.com.