The environmental impact of phenolic foam insulation boards

The use of external wall insulation is on the increase, with phenolic foam being a popular insulation choice. However, if designers are to make informed decisions on material choices, the environmental impact of the insulation should be considered and the payback period of the associated impacts evaluated. There is a lack of information for phenolic foam insulation; this paper seeks to fill this gap. Results are given utilising the international reference life-cycle data system methodology to ensure they are easily comparable and can be used in other studies. Considering the whole life cycle, the impacts from water depletion and freshwater ecotoxicity see the longest payback times; these are recommended for targeted reduction.