Freudenberg Politex

The Ecozero^® panels for the thermal and acoustic insulation recently obtained the CE marking, which certifies that a product meets EU consumer safety, health or environmental requirements. The procedure to obtain the marking implies controls of production processes and checks on products, which are carried out by external organizations accredited to censure the respect of the performances declared on the product label.

The European Directive 89/106/CEE, in Italy received with the DPR 246/93, has the aim to ensure the free circulation of those building materials which are in compliance with the European technical specifications, harmonized and approved by the European Committee of Standardization, overcoming in this way any national protectionist barrier in the countries of the EU.
The CE marking is thus a sort of European passport, which for thermal and acoustic insulation products requires the respect of the specifications in matter of mechanical resistance, stability, hygiene, health, environmental, safety of use and in case of fire, energy saving and protection against noise. All that confirms the durability and suitability of the products market, which can be installed in construction works and buildings in all of the 27 EU countries.

Not only safety of the product, but also sustainability of the process: the decision to obtain the CE marking joins a series of activities which are integral part of the strategy of sustainable development carried out by Freudenberg Politex for some years.
One of the key pillars of this strategy is the integration of the environmental aspects among the targets of Freudenberg Politex long term oriented business.
The yearly update of the LCA study of products and processes allows the Group to measure its environmental performance and to monitor the evolution after investments for clean technologies. This path led to the environmental certification EPD of three product families, including the Ecozero^® panels.
And it is right thanks to the recently completed update of the LCA study on Ecozero^® that it is now possible to proudly affirm that the eco-friendly investments, like the installation of a cogeneration plant started up in Novedrate at the beginning of 2009, reduced the CO₂ emissions of Ecozero^® production process by more than 20% in just one year.
The renewal of the EPD certification for Ecozero^®, obtained on July 29^th, shows therefore the clear improvement in terms of energy and resources consumptions, and demonstrates furthermore how the emissions caused by the production process are widely compensated by the environmental benefits of using Ecozero^® panels for the thermal and acoustic insulation of buildings. In the LCA study, experts from the University of Basilicata calculated that the "CO₂ debt" originated by the production of Ecozero^®, is fully compensated in something more than two years, thanks to the significant savings of energy resources of the building and the consequent reduction of CO₂ emissions in the atmosphere.
For the owners of the buildings properly insulated, environmental benefits are associated also to cost saving for the entire lifecycle of the building: Ecozero^® panels, unlike other materials, do not change over the years and maintain the original thermal properties. That's why we say: Ecozero^® is the eco-friendly insulation lasting forever.

Novedrate, August 2010