Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
20 Years of Partnerships, Action and Leadership

For 20 years, the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) has served as the unified voice of the rigid polyiso industry proactively advocating for safe, cost-effective, sustainable and energy efficient construction. PIMA’s members, who first came together in 1987, include a synergistic partnership of polyiso manufacturer and industry suppliers.

Upon being formed, the association faced a critical environmental issue – an international phase out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which were implicated in the accelerated depletion of ozone in the earth’s stratosphere. Recognizing the responsibility to transition to a more benign blowing agent while supporting the CFC phase out process, PIMA provided valuable guidance to Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in implementing the highly successful provisions of the Montreal Protocol. Highlights of these efforts included:
  •  Partnerships with EPA and Department of Energy (DOE) to test low and no ozone depleting chemicals at the Oak Ridge National Labs leading to use of today’s zero ozone depletion and virtually zero global warming blowing agents for polyiso insulation.
  •  Recognition by state and local governments of the essential need for polyiso in the nation’s buildings by agreeing not to implement harmful or premature CFC or HCFC phase out regimes.
  •  PIMA’s service on the EPA’s Stratospheric Ozone Protection Advisory Committee.
  •  Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award from the EPA in 1994.

PIMA’s work on the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol created an effective foundation for the association to continue as a thought leader and catalyst for change. In this role, PIMA has provided effective leadership and advocacy well beyond the polyiso industry through partnerships with government, fire safety officials, environmental groups and other business institutions. Through these activities, PIMA has influenced decision making at all levels of public policy and standard setting. Some of PIMA’s proudest accomplishments include:

Energy Efficiency Advocate
Beginning in 1997, PIMA was a primary mover in the enactment of the Energy Policy Act 2005, providing federal tax incentives for energy efficient homes and commercial buildings. PIMA continues to work to extend and refine the act to make it more effective. In 1999, PIMA was given EPA’s Climate Protection Award for “Association Leadership in Promoting Energy Efficiency and climate Protection.” PIMA was the first U.S. association to be awarded both the Ozone Protection Award and the Climate Award.

Building Code Assistance Project
PIMA was a founding member of the Building Codes Assistance Project, which with Natural Resources Defense Council, the Alliance to Save Energy, and others has worked to achieve state energy code enhancements that are critical to actual building performance.

Doe's Federal Energy Advisory Committee
Federal Energy Productivity, PIMA has contributed significantly to federal energy management efforts. With PIMA’s strong support in 1997, the Alliance to Save Energy published its groundbreaking assessment of federal energy management programs entitled “Leading By Example.”

Beyond The Code
Adoption of the “Beyond the Code” market campaign to increase awareness about the return on investment for buildings that exceed existing energy code requirements. This included the successful support for the first increase in 18 years for ASHRAE R-value requirements, the nation’s consensus standards for minimal energy performance of the commercial buildings.

Education Programs
PIMA partners with groups such as the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), RCI, Construction Specification Institute (CSI) and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) to bring messages and education about energy efficiency in buildings to the design and building community.

Blowing Agent Transition
In 2003, the polyiso industry converted to zero ozone depleting blowing agents in compliance with regulations under the Clean Air Act Amendments that were implemented by the United States EPA. The early transition resulted in an award by the Sustainable Building Industry Council.

Creation Of The Quality Mark Program
This historic voluntary program enables polyiso manufacturers to obtain third-party certification for the LTTR-values of the permeable faced polyiso roof insulation they produce. Polyiso is the only high thermal product with this certification program.

Adoption of LTTR
Long Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR) represents the most advanced scientifically supported method to describe the Long Term Thermal Resistance of foam insulation products using blowing agents other than air. The method is based on consensus standards in both the United States and Canada, and provides a 15-year time-weighted average LTTR-value.

Leadership And Partnership
Working with groups such as the Sustainable Building Industries Council, NRCA, BOMA, RCI, CSI and AIA, PIMA developed new ASTM Standards for polyiso and jointly sponsored the new roof energy assessment web based EnergyWise. This new calculator can assist any designer or contractor in determining economically effective roof R-value for a given building.

Enhancement Of Fire Science
Working with the National Association of State Fire Marshals over a three year period from 1997 to 2000, PIMA helped to ensure that rigorous testing is required before code acceptance of new under deck fire standards.

EPA Energy Star
PIMA was an early partner in EPA’s Energy Star Buildings and Homes program, as well as the subsequent Home Resealing Program. These help businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.

Education
PIMA publishes an array of technical bulletins and other educational materials to increase the building industry’s understanding of product benefits.

Legislative Support
PIMA has been a tireless advocate for enhanced state energy codes and other government policies that motivate building owners and contractors to heighten building envelope performance. In addition to testifying frequently regarding funding of federal energy efficiency programs, and has strongly supported legislative policy to encourage federal tax incentives for energy efficient commercial buildings.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, PIMA is focusing efforts on its commitment to Energy Efficiency. Following is a list of what the association as planned:
  •  PIMA is now Carbon Neutral.
  •  PIMA is sponsoring the Alliance to Save Energy’s EE Global Event – This inaugural event embodies the best features of a World’s Fair, where scientific, business and political leaders as well as activists, the media and people from all countries and walks of life come together to celebrate new ideas and cutting edge technologies that can transform peoples’ lives.
  •  PIMA Member Huntsman Polyurethanes made a significant donation to the Alliance to Save Energy in PIMA’s name.

For more information, contact PIMA at (301) 654-0000, Fax: (301) 951-8401, e-mail: or visit the association’s web site at www.polyiso.org.