Philadelphia, PA, Nov 22, 2009 (PRWeb.com via COMTEX News Network) --

Thanks to a collaboration between BASF, the world's leading chemical company, and the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI (http://www.clintonfoundation.org/what-we-do/clinton-climate-initiative/)), a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization is one step closer to transforming an old textile factory in inner city Philadelphia into a new green jobs training center. Through a global contract with CCI, BASF offered its high-performance roofing materials through this program allowing the Energy Coordinating Agency (http://www.ecasavesenergy.org) (ECA) to retrofit the training center's roof to the highest performance standards.

"We're thrilled with this roof," said Jack Strong, Manager of Smart Energy Solutions, an ECA subsidiary. "It's given a new lease on life to our training center and 150-year old structure. The building, which was quite hot with our old tar paper roof, is much more comfortable. As soon as the BASF roof was installed - even before the finishing coat - we noticed a significant drop in the temperature."

The organization is aiming for LEED Gold for its new facility, the John S. and James L. Knight Green Jobs Training Center, which will teach unemployed individuals sustainable construction techniques. Once the center is open, BASF will offer instruction to trainers in the latest green building technologies.

The existing built-up roof, which had been patched with acrylic coating and fabric had sustained severe water damage. Wet sections were removed and BASF's ELASTOSPRAY (http://www.basf-pfe.com/index.php?location=CHO)(R) spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roofing system was applied to both the new and remaining sections. The 30,000 square foot roof now has an R-value of 38 making it extremely energy efficient. According to Michael Sievers, Marketing Manager for BASF Polyurethane Foam Enterprises, the foam will provide 20 years or more of leak-free service with almost no maintenance. In addition to touting its superior waterproofing and insulation properties, Sievers noted that since SPF roofing can be applied over the top of existing roof layers, much less waste is sent to landfills. "We set a high bar for our products," said Sievers. "They must satisfy multiple criteria for sustainability, among them energy performance, durability, and the lightest possible environmental footprint."

The roof was coated with BASF's ELASTOCOAT(TM), a white urethane finish, which will further reduce energy consumption and also reflect sunlight, thereby mitigating the building's urban heat island effect (excessive heating of urban areas due to the lack of vegetation and reflective surfaces). U.S. Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, has promoted white roofs as one of the most effective and immediate means to protect the climate.

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