Owens Corning has announced that its EcoTouch Insulation is the first fibreglass insulation to be certified by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a bio-based product. The certification is part of a new USDA Bio-based labelling initiative to identify products with ingredients made from renewable plant materials. The initiative is an element of the US Farm Bill that focuses on increasing the purchase and use of bio-based products made from renewable agricultural materials. The purpose of the labelling initiative is to more clearly identify bio-based products for all buyers, and to promote the increased sale and use of bio-based products in the commercial market. In order to be certified by the USDA, vendor products are required to undergo bio-based product testing by an accredited laboratory. In addition, EcoTouch Insulation was recently certified by Scientific Certifications Systems (SCS) for new recycled content figures: total recycled content rose from 50 to 58% for faced batts and rolls, and to 65% for un-faced batts, rolls, MBI and loosefill. Owens-Corning Chief Sustainability Officer Frank O'Brien-Bernini said: "These certifications provide critical third party validation of the sustainability of our EcoTouch product, setting a new standard for insulation. For more information, please visit: owenscorning.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=2370&item=67116
