Products and Applications


What is LEED?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.

LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Who uses LEED?

Architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, construction managers, lenders and government officials all use LEED to help transform the built environment to sustainability. State and local governments across the country are adopting LEED for public-owned and public-funded buildings; there are LEED initiatives in federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, Energy, and State; and LEED projects are in progress in 41 different countries, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico and India.

How is LEED Developed?

LEED Rating Systems are developed through an open, consensus-based process led by LEED committees. Each volunteer committee is composed of a diverse group of practitioners and experts representing a cross-section of the building and construction industry. The key elements of USGBC's consensus process include a balanced and transparent committee structure, technical advisory groups that ensure scientific consistency and rigor, opportunities for stakeholder comment and review, member ballot of new rating systems, and a fair and open appeals process.

LEED Resources:

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)


BioBased Insulation & LEED Certification

The following are suggestions of how BioBased Insulation™ might be incorporated into a project in order to achieve LEED credits. This list is by no means exhaustive. Please consult with the LEED Accredited Professional on your project to determine if BioBased Insulation™ can be used to gain additional LEED credits.

LEED Credit Category – Energy & Atmosphere

Prerequisite 2 – Minimum Energy Performance

Requires the building to comply with ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 or the local energy code, whichever is more stringent.

When BioBased Insulation™ is installed into a structure, the insulating and air sealing properties of the foam will provide an envelope that will facilitate the design of an efficient system.

Credit 1 – Optimize Energy Performance

Requires a reduction in design energy cost compared to the energy cost budget.

When BioBased Insulation™ is installed into your structure, it provides the building with a sealed envelope, allowing the designer to downsize HVAC systems and supply the required ventilation. BioBased Insulation™, when used with a whole building concept, can help achieve the 10 possible points.

LEED Credit Category – Materials & Resources

Credit 2 – Construction Waste Management

Requires recycling and/or salvaging construction, demolition and land clearing waste.

Since BioBased Insulation is installed exclusively by certified dealers who can apply exactly what is needed in each area, there is very minimal waste. BioBased Insulation™ contributes a significantly lower amount of waste materials by weight, tremendously helping the project reach the 50% to 75% target for diverting waste from the landfill.

Credit 5.1–5.2 – Regional Materials

Requires use of building materials and products that are manufactured regionally within a radius of 500 miles of the project site.

Our product is manufactured in Rogers, AR.

Credit 6 – Rapidly Renewable Materials

Requires use of rapidly renewable products and materials (made from plants harvested within a ten-year cycle or shorter) for 2.5% of the total value of all building materials and products used in the project.

Since BioBased Insulation™ is manufactured with annually renewable soybean oil it is classified as a rapidly renewable product. Depending on the size, cost, and amount of the project insulated, BioBased Insulation™ can contribute a significant portion of the required 2.5% of rapidly renewable products and materials.

LEED Credit Category – Indoor Environmental Quality

Credit 4.1 – Low Emitting Materials: Adhesives & Sealants

Reduce the concentration of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants.

BioBased Insulation™ utilizes water as its blowing agent, therefore falls below the 50 VOC g/L less water limit that is set for plastic foams, and can be incorporated into a variety of substrate types and specific applications.

Credit 6.1 Controlling of Systems – Thermal Comfort
Credit 7.1 – Thermal Comfort

Requires a thermally comfortable environment and supports the productivity and well being of building occupants.

BioBased Insulation™ can help a building comply with ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 by insulating and air sealing the building, which allows for controlled ventilation strategies that enhance uniform temperatures, humidity control and pollutant reduction.

LEED Credit Category – Innovation & Design Process

Credit 1 – Innovation in Design

Provides design teams and projects with an opportunity to be awarded points for exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED Green Building Rating System and/or innovative performance in Green Building categories not specifically addressed by the LEED Green Building Rating System.

BioBased Insulation’s superior performance characteristics and installation flexibility contribute to this credit in two ways. First, BioBased Insulation™ allows easy installation in areas that do not allow simple installation of conventional insulation products. Second, BioBased Insulation™ is guaranteed to perform to the stated specifications for the life of the structure.

The above are suggestions only. It is recommended that a complete review of the LEED Green Building Rating System be made prior to applying for the listed prerequisites and credits. The LEED System can be reviewed at www.usgbc.org.