EcoBatt Maker Sues over Biobased Binder

Knauf Insulation, the manufacturer of EcoBatt, is suing competitor CertainTeed for patent infringement. CertainTeed’s undyed Sustainable Insulation, introduced in 2010, has the same mottled brown look as EcoBatt, introduced in 2008. EcoBatt’s color comes from its biobased Ecose binder, which U.S. patent documents suggest is sugar-based and relies on a chemical process called Maillard browning (caused by heating sugars and proteins together).

CertainTeed told EBN in May 2010 that its biobased binder has an initial chemical composition similar to that of a sugar (see “CertainTeed Introduces a Formaldehyde-Free Batt Insulation,”  EBN June 2010), but both companies’ processes are closely guarded, precluding a comparison of the two binders unless the lawsuit results in their public disclosure. In a statement, CertainTeed denied Knauf’s allegations, claiming it has its own “unique and proprietary sustainable insulation binder formulation” and has “filed patent applications throughout the world on this formulation.”

EBN could not confirm CertainTeed’s claim.