News and Updates

8-13 March 2012 – The Sector Plan to Phase-out HCFC 141B in the Foam Sector in the Philippines which is funded by the Multilateral Fund (MLF) and the Government of Japan is being implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for the Philippine Government through the Philippine Ozone Desk (POD) of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The main objective of the Project is to assist the Philippines in meeting its stage 1 HCFC phase out strategy in compliance to its commitment to Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, i.e. freeze in HCFC importation to the baseline level (or the mean of 2009-2010 HCFC importation) by 2013 and 10% reduction in 2015. The project covers two (2) main recipients, namely: (1) those companies using spray foaming machines for foam insulations and (2) those companies using fixed foaming machines for production of rigid foams, thermowares, refrigeration and flexible moulded line.  Other recipients are those companies that are using locally fabricated spray foaming machines for foam insulations.

 

Various activities were implemented since the project inception in May 2011 and one of the major activities conducted was the detailed assessment of existing technologies at the respective plants of companies using fixed foaming machines.  The assessment was conducted by an International Expert of UNIDO, Mr. Croiset Igor. 

 

The companies using spray foaming machines were recommended to adopt the supercritical CO2 technology from Japan while those companies using fixed foaming machines have been assessed to adopt the cylopentane technology for rigid foam producing both continuous and discontinuous panels, water blown technology for thermoware and refrigeration, and Liquid CO2 (LCD) technology for flexible moulded line.

 

Two (2) Technical Working Groups (TWGs) were installed under the Project. The first was organized on February 15, 2012 for the companies using spray foaming machines and the second was organized on March 20, 2012 for companies using fixed foaming machines. The TWGs were organized through the initiative of the POD-EMB Manager, Ms. Ella Deocadiz, to mainly assist the EMB in the successful implementation of the Project, ensure compliance to environmental regulations and to spearhead the promotion of non-ODS technologies in the foam sector.

 

Members of the TWGs are representative/s from the recipient companies and relevant government agencies, namely: the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (BPS- DTI) and Industrial Technology development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (ITDI-DOST).

 

The testing of the super critical CO2 technology was undertaken in Manila on March 8-13, 2012. But, prior to testing, the Graco H20/35 spray foaming machine of Rometech was shipped to Achilles, Japan in December 2011 for the design of a supercritical CO2 component of the converted non-ODS system. The converted system was shipped back to the Philippines on March 6, 2012 consisting of the Graco H20/35 foaming machine and the supercritical CO2 component. Also included in the shipment were 10 drums of chemicals A and B and some consumable parts of the converted super critical CO2 system. The converted super critical CO2 system was tested and the product was sprayed on various base materials such as plywood, concrete, galvanized iron and gypsum board. The testing was spearheaded by Achillies and participated by the TWG members including the four (4) major companies using spray foaming machines, namely: PU Rigid Insulation Contractor, Gloscore Phils., Inc., Romtech Construction, Inc. and S.E.A. Olympus Marketing, Inc. from Mandaue City Cebu.  The product was tested for core density, hardness, flexural strength and flammability at the laboratory of Multiflex RNC Philippines, Inc. The chemicals were also tested for viscosity and specific gravity. Similar tests were also done for products using HCFC 141b for comparison of results. The results of tests were found to be generally comparable. It is worth mentioning that in the history of the foam sector, it is only under this Project (with guidance from Mr. Croiset Igor) that testing of foam products and chemicals was undertaken which the TWG intends to require the foam companies to comply in the interest of consumers. Photos of the testing of super critical CO2 technology are shown below.

 

Click here to View / Download Result of Analysis

 

The selected non-ODS equipment for the fixed foaming machines were posted by UNIDO Head Quarters for international bidding. Two (2) of the bidders visited the respective companies prior to submission of their bids. The bids are now being evaluated at the UNIDO Head Quarters in Vienna which was participated by no less than Director Juan Miguel Cuna of EMB-DENR and Ms. Ella Deocadiz, the Philippine Ozone Desk Manager at the EMB.