2011-2012 Media Coverage

Supply Chain
April 2012
More than 71 million pounds of expanded polystyrene was recycled in 2010, according to the recently released 2010 EPS Recycling Rate Report conducted by the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR).  The figure represents an increase of 3.5 million pounds over the 19.5% recycling rate in 2008.  AFPR releases recycling rates every 2 years.
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Architectural Products
March 2012
Of course, there are many ways to optimize an envelope, and each component can contribute to the envelope’s environmental performance in its own way. In the case of structural insulated panels (SIPs), the environmental benefits are seen in two.  “SIPs are typically selected first for their energy efficiency, but they do have some additional design benefits,”  says Kiesecker. “For example, SIPs can span long distances, which can reduce the amount of roof trusses needed.  Sometimes designers specifically want fewer trusses to meet an aesthetic look and other times to reduce costs.  Essentially, the design is a bonus benefit after they’ve selected SIPs for their energy efficiency.”
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American Recycler
March 2012
The recently released 2010 EPS Recycling Rate Report conducted by the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR) demonstrated steady growth in the amount of expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging recycled since the 1990s.  AFPR releses rates every two years.  Total EPS recycling increased to 71.3 million lbs. in 2010.
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ReBuilding America's Infrastructure
March 2012
Cost-saving approaches: Light rail bridge embankment features the largest continuous section of geofoam fill in the United States.  In 2008, construction management general contractor Stacy Witbeck began early reviewing the preliminary design for the Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) $200 million TRAX airport extension from downtown Salt Lake City. The light rail extension travels along North Temple to the Salt Lake City International Airport.
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Structural Engineer
January 2012
A solid solution for retaining walls Lightweight Geofaom helps accelerate construction schedules.  What do Myriad Genetics. the University of Arkansas, Biscuit Creek, and Grove Terrace have in common? Stabilization - using  EPS geofoam.  Underlying each of these retaining wall projects was a problem that pointed to geofoam, an incredibly lightweight material with enormous compressive strength that offers a, time-saving alternative to
traditional fill materials .
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Federal Construction
December - January 2012
It's a weight thing. The mission is clear. The Federal Highway Administration recently issued a National Deployment Statement urging all states to consider using alternative fill materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam when planning fill and embankment projects. The goal, as stated on its website, reads:“By October 2010, EPS geofoam will be a routinely used lightweight fill alternative for state DOTs on embankment projects where the construction schedule is of concern. By October 2011, all states will have evaluated EPS geofoam as a lightweight fill alternative.”
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American Infrastructure Magazine
Fall 2011
Located in downtown Kansas City, Mc., in the Crossroads Arts District is the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is home to three of the region's leading performing arts organizations: Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony and Lyric Opera Theatre of Kansas City.  Officially opened in September of 2011, the 285,000-square-foot facility is one the most technically and architecturally advanced performing arts centers in the nation.  Geofoam because of its lightweight and high compressive strength proved to be instrumental in carrying out the difficult design of the facility.  
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Green Building Product Dealer
Fall 2011
Known primarily for its use in major transportation applications, EPS Geofoam is being discovered by engineers to be the material of choice for an extensive array of commercial construction applications.  The high compressive strength , light weight and predicable material performance of Geofoam has made is especially appealing for reducing weight on concrete decks, creating green roofs, providing fill for floor elevation changes and landscapes, or reducing lateral pressure on foundations and retaining walls.
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Roofing Contractor Magazine
November 2011
Three projects show the benefit of EPS Roof Insulation - the Walgreen's Distribution Center, Patterson Dental Re-Roof project, and the Uline Distribution Center. ACH Foam Technologies has a convenient calculator on its website that gives instant comparison costs for various types of insulation with equivalent R-values.  It’s available at www.achroof.com. All you need to do is plug in your project square footage and R value; the savings calculator will tell show you side-by-side insulation costs for EPS vs. ISO vs. XPS in flat and tapered applications.
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Distributed Energy Magazine
November - December 2011
Today’s buildings—residential, commercial, and industrial—consume more energy than any other sector of the US economy, including transportation and industry, and are responsible for 40% of US carbon emissions at a cost of more than $400 billion. “One of the least expensive and most effective ways to increase the energy efficiency of a building is by adding insulation thickness to a rooftop which prompted President Obama to recently declare that ‘insulation is sexy’,” says Bernardi.
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KCII Radio
October 2011
A Washington business is in the process of expanding.  ACH Foam Technologies, based in Denver, Colorado and has a plant in Washington is conducting their first expansion in a year.  They are offering new services to add a new product line of shape molding capabilities.
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Geosynthetics Magazine
September 2011
With high compressive strength, light weight, and predictable performance, geofoam is appealing for reducing weight on concrete decks, creating green roofs, providing fill for floor elevation changes and landscapes, or reducing lateral pressure on foundations and retaining walls.  
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Structural Engineer Magazine
September 2011
Known primarily for its use in major transportation projects, EPS Geofoam is being discovered by engineers to be the material of choice for an extensive array of commercial applications. Geofoam has earned accolades because it can be manufactured to precisely meet design requirements and accelerate construction schedules.  
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SIPs Deliver Winter Surprise for Unsuspecting Owner
August 2011
When Terry Schroth decided to have his new HVAC, plumbing maintenance and repair building constructed with SIPs, he had no idea what would happen on the night of Thursday, January 13, 2011. Schroth had been interested in the long-term benefits of SIPs, but as fate would have it, he reaped substantial rewards on a very cold night in January before the building was finished.  
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World's Greatest TV!
August 2011
“World’s Greatest!” is a 30-minute show dedicated to featuring industry leading companies, products, places and people. ACH Foam Technologies’ was selected to represent the expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam manufacturing industry for their state-of-the-art lost foam foundry pattern technology and pattern assembly process, for providing EPS Geofoam to the nation’s largest and most complicated engineering projects, and for their utilization of the industry’s first 60% or more recycled content foam packaging.  
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Close-Up
July 2011
Northern Metal & Roofing Co. Inc, Green Bay, Wis., recently finished reroofing a 440,000-square-foot Walgreens distribution facility in Windsor, Wis.  The facility's existing roof system, installed in 1980, consisted of batt insulation installed on the underside of standing-seam metal roof panels, providing an R-value of 9.5
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