Ashland's customer Composite Panel Systems wins CAMX Unsurpassed Innovation award for industry-changing basement foundations
Press Release
Ashland's customer Composite Panel Systems wins CAMX Unsurpassed Innovation award for industry-changing basement foundations
DUBLIN, Ohio - For more than 100 years, poured-concrete foundation walls have been the industry standard for residential homes in the United States (U.S.). Times are changing however, with the introduction of patented Epitome quality foundation walls from Composite Panel Systems (CPS).
The new foundation walls were designed with the builder and contractor in mind ensuring simple installation and minimal training for anyone skilled in the trade. Walls are delivered to a job site altogether in one trip and typical installations take less than two hours. The composite walls also decrease moisture and mold issues common with traditional foundations, and provide homeowners a warmer, drier, more energy-efficient and ready-to-finish basement.
On October 14, 2014, CPS was recognized during the Composites and Advanced Materials Exposition (CAMX) for cutting-edge innovation and for shaping the future of composites and advanced materials in the marketplace. This award makes Composite Panel Systems an elite member of leaders and visionaries within the composites and advanced materials community.
The new composite foundation wall system employs a high-performance composites technology developed by Composite Panel Systems, LLC. With the help of their panel-systems fabricator, Fiber-Tech Industries, Inc., and fire-retardant resin-systems supplier, Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), CPS launched the clean, engineered solution to replace vertically installed concrete walls during the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Convention and Expo in June. The system solution combines strength, integrated stud cavities for mechanicals, insulation, the top plate and a vapor barrier all in a single step. The technology is currently approved for use in Wisconsin and is expected to be compliant on a national level with International Building code and International Residential Code later this year.
In addition to all of the other builder and homeowner benefits, the composite technology is designed to withstand six times a sand backfill load, and can be installed in any soil type suitable for backfilling. Each 24 feet of foundation panel can withstand 600,000 pounds of downward force, resulting in a maximum allowable house load of 8,900 lbs/linear foot after the safety factor is applied.
"It thrills me to win this award knowing how much hard work it took the CPS team, my father and I to bring this product to market," said Glenn Schiffmann, founder and president, CPS. "This is the most exciting thing the residential building industry has seen since the introduction of plywood. Composites offer incredible performance, and having gained the trust of engineers in aviation many years ago, we knew that when it came to basements, we could develop a better performing alternative to concrete using high-performance composite materials."
Epitome quality foundation walls offer better energy efficiency with an inherent R-16.5 insulation value. There is an airtight transition between the floor and foundation that makes it more efficient than a standard concrete foundation. They also pass the National Fire Protection Association's 286 room corner burn test and therefore do not require covering with a thermal barrier such as drywall prior to occupancy. This allows homeowners flexibility to finish their lower level at their leisure and save money upfront.
"Ashland is using good chemistry to make great things happen and we're proud to collaborate with cutting-edge companies and entrepreneurs like CPS." said Ted Harris, president of Ashland Performance Materials. "We encourage innovation and applaud the work of CPS particularly in light of the outstanding competitors in the building and construction composites industry. We're thrilled they have earned industry recognition."
From deep below the ground to 40,000 feet above and beyond, composites have become the material of choice in many critical industrial, infrastructure, aerospace and military applications. Composites offer high strength, dimensional stability, corrosion resistance, durability and longevity. Most importantly, composites are used to raise performance levels, address traditional material design limitations and enable the development of new solutions like Epitome quality foundation walls.
To learn more, visit epitomewalls.com.
About Composite Panel Systems
Composite Panel Systems, LLC, manufactures Epitome quality foundation walls, a cutting-edge alternative to concrete foundation walls. They are an innovative, structurally superior, highly insulated, fire-resistant panel that incorporates nominally sized studs, 16 inches on center, vapor barrier, top plate and continuous insulation. Epitome quality foundation walls were invented by Glenn Schiffmann. To learn more, visit epitomewalls.com.
About Fiber-Tech Industries
Fiber-Tech Industries, Inc. has grown to become the largest supplier of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Panels to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Dedicated to quality FRP solutions, Fiber-Tech provides panels for a wide variety of markets and applications, including transportation, truck and trailer, construction, concrete forms, building panel systems, insulated panels, marine, military, industrial, corrosion resistant, and much more. To learn more, visit fiber-tech.net.
About Ashland Performance Materials
Ashland Performance Materials is the global leader in unsaturated polyester resins and vinyl ester resins. In addition, it offers leading chemical technologies in gelcoats, coatings, intermediates and solvents, and elastomers. Key customers include: manufacturers of residential and commercial building products; infrastructure engineers; wind blade and pipe manufacturers; auto, truck and tire makers; and boat builders. Visit ashland.com to learn more.
About Ashland
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global leader in providing specialty chemical solutions to customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Through our three commercial units - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Performance Materials and Valvoline - we use good chemistry to make great things happen for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com to learn more.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Ashland Performance Materials
Media Relations
Sandy Derthick
+1 (614) 790 1957
saderthick@ashland.com