By Vladislav Vorotnikov, Russia correspondent
Moscow - Russian company PPU XXI vek (Polyurethane foam XXI century) has started to provide thermal insulation with the use of polyurethane spray that will help to reduce building time, according to company directors.
This technology is already being actively used in Europe, but is a new solution for Russian companies, PPU told UTI.
"The technology of spraying polyurethane foam is widely spread in Europe and the US, but in the territory of CIS countries, it is only gaining popularity. That is why polyurethane foam insulation, which is carried out by our company, is an innovative," said PPU engineer Alexander Kesoyan in a telephone conversation.
PPU specialises in the thermal insulation of vegetable storage units. Kesoyan added that when vegetable storage units are built, it is important to take into account the type of product that will be stored as this will affect the design.
"You can create the most multipurpose storage unit, but like all universal [designs] it will not conform to the standards. To create a special storage conditions we propose the use of frameless construction," Kesoyan said. According to PPU experts, it can reduce the construction time up to 3 weeks.
The company is offering what it claims is the most optimal layout for a storage unit: a frameless metal hangar built using sprayed polyurethane foam. This technology allows it to half the timeit takes to build a storage unit and reduces the cost to a quarter of traditional methods, the firm said.
The technology has excellent adhesion to almost all the types of surfaces and does not require additional waterproofing and wind protection.
"Currently, spraying polyurethane foam just begins to spread in Russia. About 80% of the insulating material is mineral wool and only 20% of the companies use foam," Kesoyan noted.
"Contemporary technologies of the company allow spraying of polyurethane foam with thickness of 0.7 cm, which is equal to the polystyrene layer of 6 cm to give the same physical properties and thermal conductivity. The layer of thickness of 5-8 cm is ideal for vegetable storage, taking into account capital and operating costs".
Reinsulation of existing warehouses with the polyurethane foam is also a cost-effective and reliable way of insulation, Kesoyan noted. The existing warehouse will receive extra protection, strength and integrity, which is essential for proper operation of the HVAC equipment which supports the temperature and humidity conditions in the storage units.
PPU XXI vek has been in the market for over 6 years in Russia and the company is sure that this technology will be used not only in agricultural area, but also in residential construction.