Insulation Sector Boosts Industry's Competitive Strength

Did you know that piping insulation plays an important role in reducing energy costs? While insulation is commonly applied to external facades, insulating building systems also enables significant savings in energy spent on heating and cooling. IZODER Chairman Emrullah Eruslu, commenting on the subject, stated that "piping insulation is critically important in terms of sustainability as much as its economic advantages."

Piping insulation refers to thermal, acoustic and fire insulation applied to piping elements such as pipes carrying fluids, valves, ventilation ducts, tanks, boilers, and mechanical rooms housing piping components. Piping insulation plays a major role in saving energy spent on heating or cooling in industrial processes and buildings, and through it, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere decreases along with energy consumption. At this point, piping insulation assumes an important supporting role in combating global warming and climate change. 

Piping insulation: an important step in the sustainability of industrial facilities

IZODER—Heat, Water, Acoustic and Fire Insulation Contractors Association Board Chairman Emrullah Eruslu, noting that piping insulation provides noteworthy contributions in terms of sustainability as much as its economic advantages, stated: "When the sectoral distribution of final energy consumption in our country is examined, it is seen that the industrial sector leads with 33 percent, together with buildings. The bulk of energy consumption in industry is used for heating or cooling processes and spaces. Heat insulation applications to be implemented in industrial processes pay for themselves in a very short time with the energy efficiency they provide. On the other hand, the European Green Deal encourages all industrial facilities wishing to be competitive in the international trade arena to implement energy efficiency projects and reduce their carbon footprints. Consequently, piping insulation applications to be implemented in industrial facilities stand out in terms of energy efficiency, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability. Piping insulation applications to be implemented can reduce the energy burden in production costs while presenting more competitive solutions in international markets, bringing significant gains to financial sustainability. Through insulation applications, transitioning to low-carbon and energy-efficient production, with our geographic proximity advantage, could also enable increased exports to EU countries." he said.

Piping insulation can help minimize certain workplace accidents

IZODER Chairman Emrullah Eruslu, noting that piping insulation plays an effective role in protection from certain workplace accidents, continued his remarks as follows: "In industrial processes, various fluids such as hot or cold water at different temperatures, steam, hot oil, and milk can be transported through piping elements. In lines carrying hot water, steam or hot oil, surface temperatures are very high. In the event that workers come into unintentional or accidental contact with such piping elements, piping insulation must be applied to protect against resulting workplace accidents, and the surface must be brought to reasonable temperatures, which is mandatory for worker health and safety. Additionally, by insulating lines transporting fluids at low temperatures, it is possible to prevent condensation and reduction of the piping's lifespan due to corrosion. At this point, all piping elements must definitely be insulated."

Emrullah Eruslu, referring to the fact that thermal, water, acoustic, piping and fire insulation, when addressed individually or together, make significant contributions to the building and piping system's lifespan, concluded his remarks as follows: "Our piping systems, like the blood vessels in our bodies, extend throughout all areas of buildings. Through this, the transport of all elements necessary for our life and comfort—clean and conditioned air, heat and the like—is ensured. In this context, insulation measures must be taken to prevent the harmful effects of noise and fire from spreading through piping. If both thermal insulation and acoustic insulation are applied to piping in a building, noise in buildings decreases and thus comfort is increased. Implementing fire insulation in places such as piping tubes, ventilation ducts and electrical cable shafts—which constitute the most risky points in the event of a fire—significantly reduces loss of life and property, providing us with safer buildings. We believe that in newly constructed buildings, piping insulation should be given as much priority as other insulation applications and accepted as an indispensable element of building construction. For energy-efficient, safe and comfortable structures, all insulation applications must be applied correctly with quality materials."