ROGERS - With the building boom that's gone on in northwest Arkansas, Stitt Energy Systems, a Rogers-based builder specializing in energy-efficient homes, has quite a few projects under its belt. And with such an emphasis on eco-friendly design, the business is extremely choosy about what materials go into its homes.
The company has searched far and wide for the most sustainable and eco-friendly products, technology and practices. But for insulation, Stitt found exactly what it was looking for in its own back yard.
BioBased Insulation, part of the BioBased family of businesses that began in 2001, relocated to 1315 N. 13 th St. in Rogers in 2003. Since then, BioBased has developed a variety of materials to enable sustainability in the world's structures. Among Biobased's most popular and effective products to date has been BioBased Insulation, a soy-based foam product - engineered with significantly less petroleum - that all but eliminates air leakage.
"Insulation is absolutely a cornerstone to a well-built, healthy home," said David Stitt, of Stitt Energy Systems. "We use BioBased Insulation in 100 percent of the homes we build. We do some homes in Tulsa and other parts of Oklahoma that want insulated concrete block for protection against tornadoes, but even in those homes, we use BioBased in the roof system.
"BioBased is right up there with the top problem solvers we've found," Stitt said. "With everyone's utility bills going up, this has been a period of incredible innovation in this business. We try to tell people not to go with the cheapest, because you're just guaranteeing yourself a high utility bill forever. With BioBased, you'll pay more on the front end, but you'll be reaping the benefits for the rest of your life."
There's a map of the United States in the training room at the BioBased office with thumbtacks pointing to several population centers in 38 states across the country. Each of those thumbtacks represents an area in which BioBased Insulation is being used. BioBased Insulation has also garnered attention across the globe, with certified installers working throughout the United Kingdom, as well as in parts of Korea, Australia, Argentina and more.
According to Robert Porter, vice president and general manager of BioBased Insulation, the company's foam product sells for about three times that of fiberglass insulation. But he doesn't have to look beyond Arkansas to find plenty of examples of individuals and companies that have found the value in the product.
"There are a lot of new homes in Benton and Washington counties with BioBased foam - probably more than you would think," Porter said. "In Gravette, Wal-Mart Realty partnered on a Habitat for Humanity house that used BioBased. The Heifer International building in Little Rock is one of the most-talked-about LEED-certified facilities in the country. It has BioBased Insulation."
A few weeks ago, BioBased made its mark on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, as the company's soy-based foam-spray insulation was used in the official lounge, coaches office, marketing and concession stands, skyboxes and press box at the new Lady Razorback softball stadium.
"There's one thing everybody in America knows about our campus - nothing at the University of Arkansas is less than first class," Executive Associate Athletic Director Bev Lewis said. "At the same time, we are incorporating many green products and sustainable design elements into Bogle Park."
The surprise to many may be that BioBased, which has been featured in several construction-focused television programs and publications, is located right here in northwest Arkansas. It's one of those products that doesn't show up on the shelves at a Wal-Mart Supercenter, but builders, contractors and organizations big and small have been drawn to the product nonetheless.
BioBased focuses on integrating renewable resources into polyurethane systems. The core ingredient in these systems is polyol, which has traditionally come from petroleum. Through constant engineering, testing and experimentation, Porter said BioBased has been able to engineer its foam insulation to a point where only a small percentage is petroleum based. And with scientists working every day to develop new recipes, even that small percentage is being phased out.
"We're shrinking the amount of petroleum every day," Porter said. "So what you have is a very environmentally friendly product. By sealing a building envelope correctly, you can save 30 to 50 percent on your heating and cooling bills. You start seeing those savings from Day 1. So when a skeptic points out that it costs more, you remind them to subtract almost half from their energy bills. All of a sudden you find yourself actually coming out ahead in the game. It makes that big a difference."
BioBased is in the process of constructing an energyefficient headquarters in Fayetteville, where several sustainability-minded companies are partnering in research with the University of Arkansas. The company's manufacturing, testing, shipping and receiving areas will remain in Rogers.
Scientists will continue to drum up new recipes, pushing BioBased and the results of its products to even higher levels. On any given day, copious notes are taken and beakers are examined inside the four walls at 1315 N. 13 th St. And it's producing results.
According to Porter, Bio-Based enjoyed record sales last year and is on its way to shattering those numbers in 2008, despite the worst housing market the United States has seen in decades.
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