British manufacturer Precision has launched the first commercial catering refrigeration to use a new foam insulation based around vegetable oils rather than petrochemicals, reveals the company’s press release.

The new foam, called Envirofoam, has been developed by IFS Chemicals, a company with a history of green ‘firsts’, including the first CFC-free insulation foam back in 1988. It has been hailed as a major advance in environment-friendly solutions on two fronts.  Not only because it is based on renewable resources, but also because it actually requires less energy to produce than conventional polyurethane foams.   The new foam’s insulating properties and strength are every bit as good as a conventional foam.

“Envirofoam is a very exciting development.  We’re thrilled to be the first refrigeration manufacturer to be given the opportunity to realise its potential in the catering market,” says Jeremy Hall, managing director of Precision.  “Our customers are increasingly concerned about the impact their business has on the environment – Envirofoam allows us to deliver genuinely ‘greener’ refrigeration, with no extra cost implications.” 

All Precision cabinets, including fridges, freezers, prep counters and backbar coolers, will now be made using Envirofoam R2007.  This foam’s polyol component contains more than 70% of vegetable-derived material and its blowing agent falls within the “less than 5” category for global warming. Furthermore, the foam blowing agents have no adverse effect on the earth’s ozone layer. The cabinets will be backed by Precision’s no-hassle parts and labour warranty schedules.