NEWS RELEASE

President Obama acknowledges “insulation is sexy”

Knauf Insulation supports president’s call for new energy efficiency incentives

(SHELBYVILLE, Ind., December 17, 2009) — Today, Knauf Insulation applauds comments made by President Barack Obama regarding the use of insulation. The president, who referred to insulation as “sexy,” made the comments during a recent economic speech as he called for new federal incentives to encourage people to insulate and weatherize their homes and offices.

What’s so sexy about it? “Saving money,” said the president. Buildings are responsible for 40 percent of all U.S. energy consumption, and President Obama likened inefficient insulation to allowing $20 bills to float out the window. The president’s plan, which some are calling “Cash for Caulkers,” is aimed at creating jobs, saving families and businesses money on their heating and electricity bills, and reducing carbon emissions.

“We’ve always known that insulation is sexy,” said Scott Miller, director of sustainability and product affairs. “A program like this would go a long way in reducing energy usage and overall carbon emissions in the U.S. while helping us move toward economic recovery.”

The president’s comments come on the heels of the introduction of ECOSE Technology, Knauf’s most recent, and some believe sexiest, innovation ever. Born from a half-decade of extensive Knauf research and development in the U.S. and Europe, ECOSE Technology is a revolutionary bio-based binder that delivers improved environmental sustainability, reduces embodied energy, and does not contain phenol, formaldehyde, acrylics or artificial colors typically found in traditional fiberglass insulation products. The technology has taken “green” insulation to a whole new level. 

“If being green is sexy, Knauf’s products are some of the sexiest on the market,” Miller said. “ECOSE Technology replaces all the petro-based chemicals typically found in fiberglass insulation binders and replaces them with rapidly renewable, bio-based materials. Products made with ECOSE Technology are the most sustainable products we’ve ever made.”   

Improved insulation is one of the least expensive and most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy, and has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 780 million tons each year. Knauf’s products have an inherent impact on energy consumption—they save hundreds of times more energy in use than is required to make them—and are made from renewable and abundant resources such as recycled glass and sand.

“Properly insulating your home or business is the single most cost-effective and efficient way to lower monthly costs and reduce your carbon footprint,” Miller said. “We are grateful to the president for drawing attention to the issue, and support him his efforts to create incentives that will help families live more efficient lives and create jobs.”

Knauf Insulation is a leading U.S. manufacturer of thermal and acoustical fiber glass insulations for residential, commercial, industrial, OEM and metal building applications. For more information about Knauf Insulation sales and products, visit http://www.knaufinsulation.us/, write to Knauf Insulation, One Knauf Drive, Shelbyville, IN 46176 or call 800-825-4434 ext. 8212.

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