Maximizing Energy Efficiency with Bayseal™ Spray Foam Insulation

October, 2008 - Using polyurethane foam to insulate the walls, attics, crawl spaces and foundations of a home is widely recognized as one of the best ways to save energy and dramatically reduce residential heating and cooling costs. Yet, without the proper installation or integration into the rest of a home’s energy systems, no insulating product can work up to its full potential. That’s why BaySystems™, the umbrella brand for the global polyurethane systems operations of Bayer MaterialScience LLC, has teamed with EnergyWise, one of the nation’s leading thermal engineering firms, to co-market a new national brand that promotes a systems approach to residential insulation applications. The brand – Energywise – is a guaranteed energy savings building solution that combines expert structural energy analysis with a network of preferred contractor installers in order to maximize the performance of BaySystems™ Bayseal™ spray foam insulation products.

“Many people think they’ve covered all the bases in terms of energy efficiency by utilizing polyurethane foam insulation in new construction, but it can’t do the job alone,” said Richard Rue, CEO, EnergyWise Structures. “The Energywise ‘systems approach’ to building a foam-insulated home means proper engineering of the entire package: the mechanical systems, doors and windows, insulation and caulking to work in harmony with the structure’s thermal envelope and local climate conditions.”

Energywise Engineered Energy Analysis program uses proprietary software to create a detailed energy analysis report from each building plan. The report accurately projects the annual heating and cooling consumption, comparative savings and optimal heating and cooling system sizing. This information is used to coordinate the home’s systems to optimize the performance of the Bayseal™ spray polyurethane foam.

Bayseal™ spray foam quickly expands, filling open spaces to provide a continuous, protective air barrier that practically eliminates air leakage, the leading cause of building energy waste. Bayseal™ foam cures within seconds, forming the foundation of a structurally strong, virtually airtight, thermal, sound and condensation barrier.

To ensure Bayseal™ foam performs up to its full potential, Energywise preferred contractors install the material based on the design specifications to seal the building envelope. Energywise preferred contractors are a network of spray foam insulation installers that demonstrate the highest quality industry standards. They are united under the Energywise brand and committed to the Bayseal™ spray foam product.

Properly engineered foam insulated homes are inherently energy efficient, allowing homebuilders to install smaller-capacity heating and cooling equipment that saves them, and the homeowners, money. Energywise structures receive an engineered energy analysis with a two-year annual heating and cooling cost guarantee, which can be insured by the builder or building owner.

“Energywise is a tool for us to ensure we are getting the maximum performance out of our Bayseal™ insulation product, and that it’s used correctly within a building,” said Charles Valentine, commercial director, spray foam insulation group, BaySystems™. “The added benefit for homeowners is that they have a guarantee that the structure will perform as energy efficiently as possible, while contractors are gaining recognition in the industry for performing to a higher standard of excellence.” 

About BaySystems™:
Effective March 1, 2007, Bayer MaterialScience has combined its entire global polyurethane systems business under the umbrella brand of BaySystems™. This change affects not only existing product brands in this segment – including Bayseal™ – but also the global network of polyurethane systems houses. More information about BaySystems™ can be found at www.bayer-baysystems.com.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,400 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2007 sales of 10.4 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Our inorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals industry. Let us give life to your vision. Bayer MaterialScience – Where VisionWorks.

Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America, Bayer had 2007 net sales of 8.1 billion euros and employed 16,800 at year end.  Bayer’s three subgroups, Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience, improve people’s lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose, prevent and treat diseases; protect crops and enhance yields; and advance automobile safety and durability.

Contact:
Bill Allan, Phone: 412-777-5200
E-mail: bill.allan@bayerbms.com

For more information about BaySystems™ Spray Insulation & Roofing Materials contact info@baysystemsspray.com.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience, call 1-800-662-2927, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.

For more information about EnergyWise Structures, visit the company Web site, energywisestructures.com. For more information about the company’s Energywise guaranteed energy savings building solution, visit www.baysystemsspray.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our annual and interim reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.