Launched in April 2013, Madison, Wis.-based WFI Global LLC is making a name in the fenestration market with what it says is a distinct product development: the first polyurethane window foam made with renewable agricultural materials, in this case soybean oil.
Let the green accolades — and sales —- begin.
Called U-Core+, the low density insulating foam is injected by fabricators into vinyl and fiberglass window cavities, where WFI touts that it improves thermal performance up to 8 percent.
U-Core+ also is the only window foam certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture BioPreferred Program, WFI President Terry Walker, 56, said in a telephone interview. The certification requirement calls for a bio-based content of 7 percent, he added, but he exceeded it and reached just over 19 percent.
The USDA program is aimed at providing new markets for farm commodities — move over tofu, crayons, car seats and biodiesel fuel — while reducing the nation's reliance on non-renewable petroleum-based products. The program also is tied to another federal initiative called Grow It Here, Make It Here.
Walker shares all of those objectives. He uses the natural oil polyol to replace some of the petroleum-based components of polyurethane foam.
“Soybeans are renewable materials that reduce greenhouse gases and lower global warming potential in contrast to petroleum products,” Walker said. “There's a unique chemistry behind using them but they work and they work well.”
He partnered with Joseph (Jay) Fabick Jr., president of Fabick Inc., which manufactures industrial sprayed-on coatings, to produce his foam innovation at a Fabick affiliate business in Madison called Tria-chem LLC.
“Jay decided to help me launch this and get it off the ground,” Walker said, adding the time is right. “Several years ago raw material pricing was quite high but it's become more competitive.”
Earthwise Group LLC is an early customer. The federal certification helped seal the deal with the Liberty Township, Ohio-based network of independent window and door fabricators, Executive Director Mark Davis said in an email.
“From a marketing perspective, we love the fact that U-Core+ is a USDA certified bio-based product,” Davis said. “Environmental responsibility is important to us and, to the best of our knowledge, no other expanding foam product can make that claim.”