Insulation manufacturers touted their products’ energy-saving attributes long before green building materials carved a niche in the construction industry. But as green building products garner increased attention from both venture capitalists and consumers, insulation companies are facing tougher questions about the overall sustainability of their products.

The insulation industry, by saving building owners money through energy savings and helping increase their comfort, has for a long time fared well in the marketplace. Insulation products have seen a 4 percent compounded annual growth rate in the past decade, and represent a $9.2 billion market, according to the National Insulation Association. The rising cost of oil, increased awareness of climate change and industry-led initiatives such as the 2030 Challenge in recent years led analysts to predict continued industry growth of 5 to 8 percent in the next decade.

But as programs such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program establish a stronger foothold in the U.S. construction industry, many insulation manufacturers are being asked to prove they do more than just save energy.

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