NEW ON BOARD
MINERAL WOOL OR ELASTOMERIC INSULATION ? – SAINT-GOBAIN HAS BOTH
by : SAMI J . ANTEROINEN photos : SAINT-GOBAIN FINLAND
Maritime environment demands a lot from insulation materials . For example , during an intercontinental crossing , they have to withstand both icy temperatures in Nordic waters and tropical climates within a very short time – without losing their insulating potency .
In addition , fire protection upon the seas is of great importance due to the sometimes limited possibilities and long delays in rescuing people . Against this background , it ’ s no surprise that when a cruise ship is insulated , this can require up to 500,000 square metres of insulation .
As an industry leader , Saint-Gobain has frequently drawn attention to the significance of effective and sustainable insulation in Marine & Offshore . Saint-Gobain ’ s biggest hit product at the shipyards of late has been ISOVER ULTIMATE mineral wool which is produced through a unique and patented fiberizing process . However , as Saint-Gobain purchased Kaimann , one of Europe ’ s leading manufacturers of elastomeric insulation products in 2018 , the company ’ s portfolio added some of the best flexible rubber insulation materials in the world .
ELASTOMERIC EDGE
Key Account Manager Herkko Miettinen from Saint-Gobain remarks that mineral wool and elastomeric are similar in the sense that they offer first class insulation properties and energy savings .
“ Elastomeric insulation prevents condensation very well and that ’ s why it ’ s in high demand in cruisers that naturally feature many cooling systems ,” Miettinen says , adding that another tar-
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