EPSA, the peak body for manufacturers of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in Australia recently released a media statement concerning the materials used in the devastating Grenfell Tower building fire in the UK. As a member of the industry organisation, Foamex Group supports the statement.
Allaying the concerns of people about EPS manufactured in Australia, the statement said EPSA requires members to use flame retardant material in all expanded EPS products manufactured for the building industry.
Foamex has supplied polystyrene for insulation material to the building and construction industry for over 30 years, and fully warrants its product to have a fire retardant additive polymerised into the raw material formulation.
More from EPSA’s Media Statement
“There have been some media reports suggesting polyurethane, polystyrene and even polyester was used in connection with this tragic event. This is not the case. The manufacturer of the cladding used on the Grenfell Tower, Arconic has confirmed the product used was Reynobond PE and they have withdrawn this product from sale.
“Reynobond PE contains a polyethylene core between two aluminium sheets, which has limited fire retardant qualities.
“The polyethylene referred to in the reports bears no relationship to the EPS product manufactured by EPSA members.
“Further, EPSA requires members to use flame retardant material in all expanded EPS products manufactured for the building industry.”
Read the full EPSA statement.
