A new dimension in water management

A new dimension in water management

Disclaimer
The slides following hereafter contain information that is confidential and proprietary to
Huntsman Corporation. Recipients of this presentation and the information contained herein
shall not copy or replicate them by any means whatsoever and shall not share or show them
to third parties.
While the information contained herein is to the best of our knowledge, information and belief
accurate at the date of publication, it is the responsibility of recipients to determine the
applicability or the suitability of such information for their own particular purpose. Huntsman
Corporation accepts no responsibility for any damages of any nature resulting from the use of,
reliance upon, or the misuse of such information for any purpose.
VYDRO is a registered trademark of Huntsman Corporation or an affiliate thereof in one or more, but not all, countries

Why are green roofs installed ?
Assist with water management: As it is retaining rainwater for plant consumption,
run-off is minimized, which reduces the risk of localized flooding.
Improve a building s insulating envelope: The green roof is adding an extra layer of
insulation which boosts the energy efficiency and reduces heating and cooling costs
up to 5%.
Reduce the impact of urbanization: Plants improve urban air quality by filtering out
polluting particles that create smog. According to the US industry association Green
Roofs For Healthy Cities; "One square meter of grass roof can remove up to 2.0kg of
airborne particles every year, depending on the foliage type."
Decrease the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE): The widespread use of heat
absorbing materials like concrete and asphalt make cities up to 10 degrees hotter than
rural areas. Adding more foliage into metropolitan areas reduces this problem.
Improve biodiversity: Green roofs provide a safe refuge for native insect, bird and
animal species that might struggle otherwise to thrive amid a mass of concrete, glass
and asphalt.
Counter urban sprawl: Green roofs help create a more aesthetically pleasing built
environment. A sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life they are
more visually appealing and serve as a relaxing outdoor space for the people that live,
work or regularly visit a building. They also reduce noise pollution by dampening sound
and decreasing the number of hard surfaces available for sound to reflect off.
Reduce building maintenance costs: Green roofs dramatically increase a roof s life
expectancy by shielding it from inclement weather.

Are there different sorts of green roofs?
There are mainly 2 types of roof installations:
Extensive green roofs (eco-roofs) have limited or no access. These are lightweight,
relatively low cost systems which require minimal maintenance.
Intensive green roofs (sometimes known as high-profile roofs) tend to look like traditional
roof gardens because a much wider variety of plants (including trees and shrubs) can be
grown. Generally, intensive roofs require human access for regular upkeep.
Extensive Intensive

What is VYDRO ® foam:
VYDRO ® foam is a polyurethane-based,
lightweight foam with a very high water
holding capacity. It is an extremely effective
planting medium for roofing and hydroponic
projects.

Properties & Benefits
Properties of VYDRO ®
Up to 70% lighter than existing technologies (30 kg/m³)
Can take up to 30 times its weight in water
Water buffering capacity of 40 60%
Water draining: 65% still left after 24 hrs
The foam swells 15% after 24 hrs of soaking
Benefits
Easy to handle / install
Increased roof life
Suitable for old buildings with structural weaker roofs
Ability to rehydrate over multiple growing cycles
Improved building insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs
by up to 5%.

Determination of water retention
of VYDRO ® foam
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Water retention after 1hr (l/m2)
Linear (Without load)
Linear (With load 0.5kPa)
Thickness (mm)
10 30 40 60 80 100 120 140

What is the life expectancy of
VYDRO ® foam?
Independent testing institutes have assessed the bio-degradation nature of
VYDRO ® foams against DIN ISO norms.
The results indicate that the foam shows no bio-degradation. Life expectancy of
VYDRO ® foams should be more than 25 years.

How does VYDRO ® foam work?
Due to the physical, internal
structure of VYDRO ® foam,
water molecules can easily
enter its cells but cannot easily
exit it. This means that water is
stored in the VYDRO ® matrix,
where it can be readily
accessed by plant roots.

Traditional Extensive Green Roof
Extensive Green Roof
Weight 80 110kg/m 2 / slope of min. 3 degrees
(Fully saturated)
How does a typical green roof differ from a VYDRO ® foam green roof?

VYDRO ® Green Roof
VYDRO ® Green Roof
Weight 50 60kg/m 2 / slope of min. 3 degrees
(Fully saturated)

The Build Up
Root resistant foil
PE foil
VYDRO ® substrate
4 cm thick foam matt
Eggshell slabs for water management
Lava stones
Plants
4 cm layer of a blend of different particle sizes
Fully compacted still 15% of cavities
Sedum
Grasses
Other plants

The Build Up
Root resistant foil
Easy cutting and
installation
Eggshell slabs

Total View

Substrate Spraying

Sedum, grasses, plants,

Final Look

Thank you for your attention
vydro@huntsman.com
www.thevydroeffect.com