BASF’s Styropor EPS used in innovative application for radiant heating industry- Helps keeps heat rising

December 21st, 2009

Creatherm “walk-it-in” radiant floor panels provide an efficient thermal and sound barrier between the ground and heated slab while saving contractors time and money.

FLORHAM PARK, NJ, – Until now, installing radiant heating has been a time consuming and labor intensive process for contractors. Home and building owners benefit from radiant heating because it is a clean, comfortable and energy efficient solution. Creatherm™ radiant floor panels, manufactured by Creatherm out of BASF Styropor® EPS, offer contractors an innovative foam installation process that saves time and money.

As with Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs), Creatherm™ radiant floor panels are easily installed. Interlocking panels help reduce labor costs and improve installation efficiencies by allowing for precise tube layout that eliminates the need to tie, clip, staple, or screw the PEX [cross-linked polyethylene] tubing to the substrate.

Styropor®, an expandable polystyrene (EPS) was invented by BASF in 1952 and today is a classic among the raw materials employed for cost-effective con­struction, as well as efficient and reliable packaging. The most important properties of Styropor® EPS include:

excellent thermal insulation capacity

high compressive strength

outstanding impact absorption

low weight

design capabilities

BASF – The Chemical Company. We don’t make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.® BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany.

BASF employs more than 15,000 in North America and had sales of approximately $16.4 billion in 2007.

For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail,visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

About Createc Corporation Headquartered in Whitestown, Ind., a northwest suburb of Indianapolis, CreathermTM offers innovative foam products to the building industry. As a subsidiary of Createc Corporation, manufacturers of ICF panels, Creatherm’s Radiant Floor Panels were their first product to reach market, and sales have more than doubled since launch in 2005. For more than 35 years, Createc Corporation, as a second-generation family-owned business, has been a leader in the beaded foam industry, providing everything from protective packaging to automotive, component and specialty foam products. Strengths include in-house product design, quality manufacturing, and a large production capacity backed by timely delivery and attentive customer service. The ability to solve design problems offers Createc Corporation distinction as a valued business partner to companies nationwide.