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DuPont Unveils Latest Generation Breather Membrane, DuPont™ Tyvek® Trifecta™ Offering Fire and Moisture Protection

Building Products Index Ltd May 30, 2024 Breathable Membranes, Membranes Leave a Comment

Patent Pending, DuPont™ Tyvek^® Trifecta™A2 Fire-Rated Breather Membrane compliments the DuPont™ AirGuard^® A2 FR AVCL and completes the DuPont Fire Performance System. Available in the United Kingdom.

London, UK May 6, 2024 – DuPont Performance Building Solutions, a leading innovator in material science, has announced the launch of its latest generation breather membrane, Tyvek^® Trifecta™. The innovative product offers exceptional fire safety and moisture protection, making it an ideal solution for external walls of high-rise buildings in a convenient and light-weight roll size of 1.5m x 25m. Tyvek^® Trifecta™ is a non-combustible breather membrane designed to provide all the benefits of a standard Tyvek^® breather membrane, but with A2-s1, d0 Class Fire Performance to the current European Fire Classification Standard EN 13501-1. It surpasses current UK Building Regulations, which require membranes to meet Class B.

The Complete A-Rated Membrane System with a 25-year Limited Warranty

DuPont™ Tyvek^® Trifecta™ compliments the DuPont™ AirGuard^® A2 FR AVCL to create a complete A-rated membrane system. The DuPont™ AirGuard^® FR System Tape further enhances the system’s fire and moisture protection capabilities, helping to making it safe for use in all building types, including high-rise, single-story, dwellings, commercial projects, hotels, hospitals, and schools.

Tyvek Trifecta™ also features 12 months UV resistance, allowing for project time wiggle room while supporting a quality façade installation by protecting the structure during construction.

Advanced Protection against Moisture

Tyvek^® Trifecta™ has excellent moisture management properties, with Class W1 water resistance to EN13859-2. Coupled with the product’s low vapour resistance, it offers an excellent solution as a secondary weather protection layer in external wall systems.

“Tyvek^® Trifecta™ provides an outstanding solution to helps offer building owners fire safety protection of people using their buildings,” said Andrea Albert, Shelter Solutions EMEA Marketing Leader at DuPont.

“This product is a testament to our commitment to developing solutions that help enhance the fire safety and moisture protection standards of the construction industry, ” added Albert.

For more information on DuPont™ Tyvek^® Trifecta™ and the DuPont™ AirGuard^® FR System Tape, please visit the product page.

About DuPont Performance Building Solutions

Grounded in science, DuPont Performance Building Solutions and Corian^® Design are working alongside those who also seek a sustainable tomorrow to help people thrive at home and in their communities for years to come. By developing solutions for managing the air, water and thermal performance of buildings and residences, we help our customers build energy-efficient, resilient, and durable shelters in a rapidly changing world. Backed by unmatched industry insight, building knowledge, and technical support, as well as world-class brands such as Styrofoam^™ Brand, Tyvek^®, and Great Stuff^™, our products and services portfolio enables customers to focus on what they do best, no matter where and how they choose to build.

About DuPont Water & Protection

DuPont Water & Protection is a global leader in products and solutions that protect what matters – people, structures, and the environment – and enables its customers to win through unique capabilities, global scale, and iconic brands including Corian^®, Kevlar^®, Nomex^® Tyvek^®, Styrofoam™, and Filmtec™.

About DuPont

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare, and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses, and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website atinvestors.dupont.com.

DuPont A2 fire rated non-combustible system for weatherproofing and condensation risk management

Building Products Index Ltd February 26, 2024 Breathable Membranes, Membranes Leave a Comment

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Europe has standardised testing and classification criteria for construction products through the European Standard EN 13501-1. Classes are described by letters. The first letter gives a classification based on the combustibility and contribution to fire: A1 and A2 is non-combustible, B till E go from very limited to medium contribution to fire, and F means high contribution and easily flammable. In addition, smoke development and severity of burning droplets falling off the material are determined. The best possible class being s1 for smoke and d0 for no droplets. Hence, a product can be said to perform to for e.g. class B-s1,d0 or class A2-s1,d0 and so forth and so on. Different test regimes of EN 13501-1 standard are described below.

Test regime for reaction to fire classes according to EN 13501-1

Class	EN-ISO 1182 Non-combustibility test	EN-ISO 1716 Gross calorific potential test	EN 13823 Single Burning Item test	EN 119225-2 Ignitability test
Main fire properties measured and used for the classification	Ability to withstand 750º C in a small furnace	Calorific content	FIGRA – Fire Growth Rate; SMOGRA – Smoke Growth Rate; Flaming droplets or particles	Flame spread within 60 or 20 s.
A1	√	√	–	–
A2	–	√	√	–
B	–	–	√	√
C	–	–	√	√
D	–	–	√	√
E	–	–	–	√
F	–	–	–	–

DuPont™ A2-s1,d0 fire rated non-combustible system for weatherproofing and condensation risk is designed to provide maximum fire safety and protection in the construction industry. It’s ideal for use in high-rise and higher-risk building applications.

DuPont™ Tyvek® Trifecta™ is an airtight, vapour permeable membrane that prevents water from penetrating the walls. It is a popular choice for weatherproofing and condensation risk mitigation in many risk-averse construction projects. DuPont™ Tyvek® Trifecta™ is installed on the cold side (outside) of the wall assembly, typically, between the external sheathing and mineral wool insulation.

The DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL provides resistance against water vapour, ensuring that trapping & accumulation of the moisture within walls and thermal insulation is prevented, which otherwise can result in structural damage and ineffective energy use. In addition, coupled with a cavity, it will provide thermal resistance. AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL is installed on the warm side (inside) of the wall assembly, typically, between the internal lining and structure.

Additionally, DuPont™ AirGuard® FR System Tape is used to seal horizontal and vertical laps, joints, junctions, around windows and doors, as well as sealing around penetrations such as pipework, wiring and structural elements.

AirGuard® FR System Tape is A2 fire rated product fully coherent with Tyvek® Trifecta and/or AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL, providing continuous and complete fire-rated system. It is an essential component in achieving the highest level of fire safety and contributes to bettering numerous other building performance aspects, such as airtightness, watertightness and smoke control.

Overall, the use of the DuPont™ A2 fire rated system gathered of Tyvek® Trifecta™, AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL, and AirGuard® FR System Tape is a highly effective, tested & proven, extremely reliable solution for improved fire safety in a wide variety of high-rise and higher-risk construction applications.

Discover more by visiting our website and take advantage of A2 fire rated system for weatherproofing and condensation risk management by using Tyvek® Trifecta™, AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL and AirGuard® FR System Tape for your next project:

Tyvek® Trifecta™ A2 Fire-Rated Breather Membrane (dupont.co.uk);

AirGuard® A2 FR Fire-Rated AVCL (dupont.co.uk);

DuPont™ AirGuard® FR System Tape

Airtight Breathable membrane DuPont DuPont Tyvek DuPont™ Tyvek® Trifecta™ vapour permeable membrane

Sustainability in the Building Industry.

Building Products Index Ltd June 25, 2021 Breathable Membranes, Membranes Leave a Comment

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Student housing in Sweden:

Forta Pro modular solutions with DuPont™ Tyvek® deliver energy efficiency and increase interior comfort.

April 2021 – “Kvarteret Jylland” is a new student accommodation consisting of 350 micro-apartments), located in Kista, Northern Stockholm, Sweden. The project mission was to build modern, sustainable and attractive premises for young people. The Kvarteret Jylland complex (7100 square metres, four buildings) was completed in a short amount of time by the Latvian-based company Forta Pro, that specializes in modular construction solutions based on energy efficiency and sustainability concepts. 178 modules were fabricated and installed. DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories have been used by Forta Pro for the building envelope to protect the construction from water, air and moisture and to increase the comfort and well-being of the students.

Kvarteret Jylland student accommodation, in Kista (Stockholm, Sweden), built by Forta Pro company.
Forta Pro’s modular solutions deliver energy efficiency and use DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes
and accessories for the building envelope; photos courtesy of Forta Pro, all rights reserved.

Modular construction is a process that uses off-site, prefabricated building methods. It ensures better construction quality management and less disruption. Projects can be completed up to 50% quicker than traditional construction methods. The pre-engineered structures are manufactured and assembled off-site

in a factory-controlled environment. DuPont building materials provide holistic solutions that fulfill the requirements of this housing project, of modular construction techniques, and improve energy efficiency.

DuPont™ AirGuard® vapour control membranes were used with the internal insulation to deliver superior airtightness. These membranes are extremely resistant, lightweight, flexible and easy to install, they maintain their characteristics over time and help to optimize the building performance. A DuPont™ Tyvek® Tape was used to join the membranes and create a continuous barrier with no leakage.

Kvarteret Jylland student accommodation, in Kista (Stockholm, Sweden), built by Forta Pro company. Forta Pro’s modular solutions deliver energy efficiency and use DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories for the building envelope; photos courtesy of Forta Pro, all rights reserved.

On the exterior walls, a Tyvek® vapour-permeable and water-resistant membrane provides high performance protection from weather conditions. To create an optimum building envelope, DuPont™ Tyvek® Flex Wrap was used to seal the outer construction penetrations such as pipes and conduits.

Inside, a Tyvek® tape seals around the window frames. With their wide variety of products and world-class technical know-how, DuPont Performance Building Solutions help building and construction

professionals and companies to meet the new and demanding requirements in terms of airtightness and increased energy efficiency.

“The Kvarteret Jylland project was challenging in many ways and it was essential to cooperate with our partners for a successful outcome. From the beginning, we rely on partners like DuPont who can assist us throughout the entire process with daily contact, training in our production facility and technical support. We have been using Tyvek® membranes and accessories for a few years and they help us in finding solutions to the challenges brought by our clients, both in terms of installation, airtightness and energy efficiency. DuPont always provides us with high-quality materials backed by a warranty, with continuous support and they understand our requirements, all within reasonable costs.” said Jānis Priede, Project manager, Forta Pro.

Forta-Pro_1 — Kvarteret Jylland student accommodation, in Kista (Stockholm, Sweden), built by Forta Pro company. Forta Pro’s modular solutions deliver energy efficiency and use DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories for the building envelope; photos courtesy of Forta Pro, all rights reserved.

While working on the off-site manufacturing, Forta Pro proceeded with the work on the construction site, which led to major time savings. The pre-fabricated modules, assembled on-site, created four multi-storey buildings with high standard, comfortable accommodations. The synergy between the Forta Pro process and DuPont™ Tyvek® and AirGuard® products – all backed by a DuPont warranty – allowed them to build modern, sustainable and attractive premises for the students in Kista.

About Forta Pro (fortapro.com) – Based in Riga, Latvia, Forta Pro company uses a modular construction techniqueenabling the development of environmentally sustainable buildings, contributing also to saving energy and time during the construction process. The company produces – in its fast and cost-effective linear production line with a large production capacity – high standard modular units suitable for multiple-story facilities construction.

Forta PRO features advanced off-site building methods offering a fast-track modular and construction solutions with minimal disruption to the operation of surrounding facilities. The advanced prefabrication enables Forta PRO to speed-up the timetable for construction projects in a way that is not achievable by the on-site building technology. Strict quality control implemented in our modern factory and supported by Forta PRO multi-disciplinary professional team provides a guaranteed comprehensive quality solution. Forta PRO can plan, design, and build from scratch or expand existing facilities.

Forta Pro’s modular solutions deliver energy efficiency and use DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories; photos courtesy of Forta Pro, all rights reserved.

About DuPont Performance Building Solutions – A division of the Water & Protection segment of DuPont, DuPont Performance Building Solutions is a global innovation leader in the building and construction industry, providing products and materials for the building envelope.

With today’s focus on the reduction of emissions and improved energy efficiency, you can count on brands such as Tyvek®, AirGuard®, Great Stuff™, Insta Stik™, Froth-Pak™ and LiquidArmour™ that have been at the heart of building solutions for decades backed by unmatched industry insight, building knowledge, and technical support. The products and services portfolio of DuPont Performance Building Solutions enables customers to focus on what they do best, no matter where and how they choose to build. To know more about DuPont Performance Building Solutions, www.building.dupont.com

In support of its aspiration to lead and partner in delivering solutions that transform how lasting affordable shelter is created for people around the world, DuPont Performance Building Solutions (PBS) has set a

series of Sustainability Goals, aligned within the framework of DuPont’s 2030 Sustainability Goals. Specifically, DuPont Performance Building Solutions aspires to:

Direct 100 percent of the innovation portfolio to meaningfully advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and create value for customers;
Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from operations by 75 percent from 2019 levels;
Advance the circular economy in the building industry through innovation in materials and business models, collaboration, and end-of-life plans that eliminate and upcycle waste across the product life cycle;
Collaborate with customers and partners to bring green chemistry innovations to market and will drive continued reduction in the presence of priority substances in the product portfolio;
Work to build communities, strengthen families, and empower the next generation across the globe.

About DuPont – DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com.

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Field Notes: Plantex® Platinium undergoes continual testing and responsive evolution

Building Products Index Ltd March 27, 2021 Root barrier solutions Leave a Comment

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The latest observations from different test programmes confirm product performance and improved installation methods

Our changing world demands adaptation and innovative solutions – and those solutions must in turn respond to observation and learning. Accordingly, DuPont is committed to the ongoing evolution of its products and systems, subjecting them to rigorous examination in controlled testing environments. In this way, the company builds trust in its brands and, when appropriate, develops ways to enhance either the products or their application.

An important advance in the fight against invasive weeds (Japanese Knotweed in particular), Plantex® Platinium has undergone various field tests since its introduction in 2014. Non-chemical and non-mechanical control of damaging weeds is an essential, forward-thinking solution – and, in the absence of any recognised standards – DuPont has undertaken programmes with independent bodies to assess its own pioneering product.

Dealing with Japanese Knotweed is complex and very expensive; thus, the ideal method is one which optimises budget and performance, reduces labour and maintenance costs and minimises both the risk of the infestation spreading – and any environmental impact from herbicides. One fabric can answer all of those demands.

Over the course of five years Plantex® Platinium has been tested in natural environments, resulting in substantial evidence and confirmation to attest to its performance.

The problem of Japanese Knotweed is not restricted to any particular environment. It can threaten residential property values while also creating expensive problems and even safety issues for corporate premises and for technical or civil infrastructure. Three ongoing test sites for Plantex® Platinium have generated results from a variety of settings and conditions.

In the landscaped gardens of a residential development in Annemasse, France, Plantex® Platinium was installed in June 2014 and covered over with soil and grass. At various checks over the following 5 years, these communal gardens remained free of knotweed, bar some minor gaps along the edges of the fabric, where it meets the building’s structure. No perforations of the fabric itself were observed. The lawn areas remain in a robust and healthy condition.

In a dedicated test field in Bitterfeld, Germany, Plantex® Platinium was installed in September 2016. During regular checks, in which sections of the fabric were cut away and the underside revealed, each section was shown to have successfully contained the rhizomes (which are unable to attach to or penetrate the strong yet air and water-permeable non-woven structure of the fabric) while soil vitality and biodiversity was preserved.
In a major program that began in 2017 with a national railway body, a heavily infested surface area of over 480m² divided into 9 different and confined test sites was fitted with Plantex® Platinium. Using a method of mowing, scraping, removing and then covering with gravel, and working in conjunction with Plantex® RootProtector for vertical containment of the root system, Plantex® Platinium was extensively installed, including along walls, slopes and roadsides. These sites were monitored over a three-year period and now the first full evaluation can be made.

The initial set of test fields was established in 2017 using the first generation of Plantex® Platinium and combining different installation methods such as varying sizes of simple overlaps and the use of tape to bond the seams between sections and the junctions to walls and masonry. Although the results are generally very positive, a small number of penetrations was observed. These were mainly due to mechanical damage during or after the installation of the fabric (such as illicit vehicle traffic), for example, infiltration through the taped seam, or, in a limited number of cases, the penetration of a shoot through a specific weakened spot of the fabric.

In 2018 a fresh series of test installations was undertaken using the second generation of Plantex® Platinium, which is even stronger thanks to a special point-bonded treatment. An enhanced installation method of thermally bonding the seams was also applied. Upon examination of the sites in November 2019 it appears that the second generation of Plantex® Platinium has performed even better, with zeropenetrations at the seams where thermal welding had been used.

In total, an area of more than 800 m² was covered in which Plantex® Platinium has successfully constrained the development of Japanese Knotweed.

What is clear from all these observations is not only the outstanding performance of the fabric in controlling Japanese Knotweed, but also in maintaining the health and biodiversity of the soil. Plantex® Platinium has proved itself to be reliably robust. It was also observed that special care is required at the joints with masonry, to avoid shoots emerging between the fabric and the structure.

Thermal welding was one of the key improvements to the application of the product introduced by DuPont in 2018, as a result of such field-based observations. This technique creates even greater confidence by minimising the vulnerability of the seams. A simple and straightforward method needing only basic equipment (and strict adherence to detailed instructions provided by DuPont), this advance is typical of the attention to detail that ensures products such as Plantex® Platinium perform as designed.

What is also clear from the field tests is that any such fabric system will continue to require some level of ad hoc maintenance, but with Plantex® Platinium this is minor and limited and allows for reliable chemical-free control of knotweed.

What’s more Plantex® Platinium is shown to work well in various situations and conditions, including sloped surfaces, and it functions admirably as part of holistic systems with other specialised landscaping products from DuPont.

Such programmes undertaken by DuPont in collaboration with independent bodies clearly demonstrate that civil, landscaping and horticultural professionals can have confidence in a product that is at once innovative and continually proving its worth.

About DuPont

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, health and wellness, food, and worker safety. More information can be found at www.dupont.com.

For further product information: www.plantexpro.dupont.com

For marketing enquiries: Karolina Olechowicz , Marketing Communications DuPont™ Plantex®; E: karolina.olechowicz@dupont.com

For commercial enquiries in Italy: Maria Sinde, Southern-Europe Sales Manager DuPont™ Plantex® T: +352 3666 5222 E: maria.sinde@dupont.com

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Claim back your Japanese Knotweed infested land

Building Products Index Ltd September 27, 2019 Landscaping fabric 1 Comment

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Plantex® Platinium is a high-performance landscaping fabric specially designed for controlling invasive and aggressive weeds such as Japanese Knotweed. Invented and manufactured by DuPont, Plantex® Platinium has been thoroughly and extensively tested over several years and in natural environments. The product’s benefits and installation are featured in a video you can access here.

Information on the entire Plantex® product range can be found here.

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Advanced Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart offers a clever new way to control both airtightness and moisture

Building Products Index Ltd January 23, 2019 Membranes Leave a Comment

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View the Tyvek® AirGuard® product details

Now the complex needs of the modern building envelope can be met by a product that is both simple to work with and ingenious in managing multiple demands. Adaptable to varying climatic conditions, Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart is a membrane with a difference – developed by the experts in protecting structures against environmental damage while also improving thermal performance.

Wrapping the interior side of the envelope, Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart acts as a highly efficient air and vapour control layer (which easily achieves below Passive house levels of airtightness) but has also been formulated to adapt to rising humidity conditions and so allow any trapped, or unplanned, moisture to escape towards the inside of the building.

No_Smart — Damage in a structure without smart protection

DuPont Tyvek AirGuard Smart — Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart AVCL adapts to humidity

This clever variation allows faster evacuation of built-in humidity in new construction elements (e.g. wet rafters). It also means avoiding humidity infiltration from living spaces into the building’s structure, thereby minimising the risk of expensive damage from damp and mould and so operating in the standard function of an AVCL.

With an impressive variable water vapour resistance range of sd value 0.2m for a humid environment (1 MNs/g) to more than sd-value 35m for a dry environment (175 MNs/g), Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart offers advantages from reduced drying out time for constructors to enhanced energy efficiency and comfort for the building owners.

Easy application also allows for continuous installation of the AVCL from the outside, without risking condensation to the upper side of the rafters and, uniquely, the product can be fitted to both flat and pitched roof constructions, with a high resistance underlay.

With all the reliability and great service to be expected of a product under the Tyvek® brand, Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart also comes with clear and detailed installation guidelines and the technical back-up of the Tyvek® BuildingKnowledge Centre.

About DuPont™ Tyvek® & DuPont Building Membranes and Products:

DuPont™ Tyvek® advanced building membranes are unique in the market due to their high-quality single layer construction. Tyvek® breather membranes are naturally vapour open but also durably wind and water-tight. Lightweight yet robust, they are easy to install and offer long-term, proven reliability. Designed to protect the building envelope against the effects of weather and moisture, this family of membranes also offers optimal air-tightness and can help to improve the thermal performance, energy-efficiency and interior climatic stability of a building.

Tyvek® is designed to work as part of a holistic and optimal system with a range of other proven DuPont™ Tyvek® products for the building envelope, including the Tyvek® AirGuard® advanced AVCL series, the highly versatile Tyvek® FlexWrap NF and EZ sealing tapes, plus other specialised membranes, tapes and sealants. All DuPont building products come with the renowned service, expertise and technical back-up of a world-class science company.

For more information about the Tyvek® range of advanced products please visit: www.construction.tyvek.co.uk or call 08444 068 722 (087 922 2740 in ROI)

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