by Ann Withanee — March 25, 2011—The Performance Films division of Solutia Inc. has completed a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by Harmony Environmental, LLC, and review by an independent third party. The results from the recently completed study conclude that Solutia’s Performance Films division delivers a positive impact to the environment, according to Solutia.
The assessment, consistent with International Standards Organization (ISO) standards, was completed at the end of 2010 and concluded that the division’s solar-control architectural window film products become carbon neutral in less than two months after installation. With an average service life of 15 years, this means that these products are typically providing 14-plus years of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions after accounting for the products’ total carbon footprint.
“The analysis demonstrates that we’re reducing energy consumption while increasing the avoidance of carbon emissions,” noted Wing Kwang, global business director for LLumar films. “We not only offer exceptional energy efficient film products, we’re also measuring and improving our energy responsibility and environmental impact through integrated processes at every level of manufacturing and product development.”
Performance Films currently has 54 architectural solar-control film products in its LLumar and Vista brand portfolios, including the EnerLogic Series window films, with advanced low-e technology that can improve the insulation performance of single-pane windows to dual-pane and dual-pane to triple-pane while delivering industry-leading, all-season energy savings.
Specifically, the study reviewed the impact of the use of architectural window films on the company’s carbon footprint and determined whether the potential energy savings and subsequent avoided greenhouse gas emissions from the use of architectural window film offset the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing of the division’s products.
The study concluded that Performance Films’ architectural window films deliver a positive impact for the environment, including savings in energy and avoidance of solid wastes and greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information, visit the Solutia Web site. Additional information is also available on the Performance Films Life Cycle Assessment.
