Recently, spray foam utilizing Stepan's PIR system solution successfully passed the stringent Single Burning Item (SBI) test for polyurethane spray at the Tianjin Fire Research Institute (see report below). This achievement marks Stepan as the first domestic company to pass the SBI test under the 141B foam system, setting a new benchmark in the field of fire resistance and flame retardancy for building materials. This milestone underscores Stepan's leadership in driving the construction materials industry toward higher standards of safety and performance.

The SBI test, a critical evaluation of the burning behavior of construction materials, is widely recognized in the industry for its difficulty, particularly the Fire Growth Rate Index (FIGRA) assessment. FIGRA measures the ratio of heat release rate to the time of exposure to fire, indicating the speed at which a fire can grow. A higher FIGRA value signifies a greater risk of rapid fire spread. To pass the test, the FIGRA0.4MJ value must be below 250W/s. Stepan's spray foam achieved an impressive FIGRA0.4MJ value of 132W/s, well below the threshold, demonstrating the superior fire resistance of Stepan's PIR system solution and providing a robust guarantee for building safety.

The spray foam that passed the SBI test exhibits several outstanding characteristics thanks to Stepan's PIR system solution. It boasts excellent dimensional stability and relatively low density, effectively reducing the amount of 141B required and thereby lowering foam costs. This achievement is particularly significant as 141B blowing agents are set to be phased out next year. The successful SBI test not only offers a cost-effective, high-flame-retardant solution for the transition period but also provides valuable insights for future high-flame-retardant testing of alternative blowing agents like 245fa. This breakthrough is expected to drive technological advancements across the industry, propelling the construction materials sector into a new era of development.

Stepan Company operates a polyester polyol production base in Nanjing, China, adhering to global manufacturing and quality control standards. Known for its consistent quality and environmentally friendly products, Stepan has earned the trust and acclaim of the market. The Nanjing R&D center, guided by a customer-centric philosophy, leverages global expertise in product development and technical services to provide localized, customized polyester polyol solutions for a wide range of polyurethane material applications.

Source: Stepan