Amoco's entire foam products division was sold to Tenneco. Cafeteria
trays and stuff, as well as insulation. In spite of promises that it
wouldn't happen, shortly after the sale Amoco discontinued its recycled
content Amofoam RCX and RCY lines of insulation. Technically the RCX
stuff is still available, but I was told that they're not making it
unless someone comes up with a big enough order. So, at least for now
there is no recycled-content extruded polystyrene on the market.
Basically, working with recycled resin was a pain, and cost more. The
virgin resin is still too cheap. And the market wouldn't accept any
premium for the recycled content product, in spite of people's
indications in focus groups that they would pay more for environmentally
friendly products. The Amoco folks think that has to do with the fact
that the foam purchasers are usually the contractors, not the homeowners
who might make the right choice if faced with it directly.
More details in the current (February) issue of Environmental Building
News.
Nadav
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