APA and Structural Insulated Panel Association form strategic alliance

Nov 21, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. APA—The Engineered Wood Association, Tacoma, Washington and the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA), Gig Harbor, Washington have announced the formation of a strategic alliance to advance the use of structural insulated panels and the corresponding use of structural wood panels in the residential and nonresidential construction markets. The alliance formalizes the mutual goals of the two associations and will provide greater strategic direction of joint activities that the two groups have engaged in for several years, according to Tom Williamson, APA vice president of quality assurance and technical services. Structural insulated panels, or SIPs, are high-performance floor, wall and roof construction panels made with polystyrene or polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation cores sandwiched between two structural skins, typically oriented strand board. Plywood skins are also sometimes used. Although the SIP industry currently commands less than 2% of the residential construction market, the product’s energy conservation attributes are viewed as highly desirable in the current environment of high energy costs. An alliance goal is to increase SIP share of the residential construction market to 5% within five years, which would translate to approximately 100 000 homes and 700 million square feet (3/8” basis) of structural wood panels annually. Increasing the use of SIPs in nonresidential construction also is seen as promising because the product uses fewer components and is closer to a “turn-key” solution than conventional wood framing. A chief priority under the alliance will be to develop a 'Prescriptive method' and then to gain its adoption by the International Residential Code (IRC). Funding for that effort is being provided by the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), a public-private venture coordinated by the office of policy development and research at the U.S. department of housing and urban development. APA also will provide product support help desk services, field and technical support, and marketing support assistance. Founded in 1990, SIPA represents 26 structural insulated panel manufacturers who collectively use approximately 70% of the OSB consumed by the SIP industry. SIPA membership also includes industry suppliers, builders, architects, distributors and others with allied interests in the SIP industry. APA represents approximately 160 plywood, oriented strand board, glulam timber, wood I-joist, laminated veneer lumber, and other engineered wood product mills in the U.S. and Canada. Its primary functions are quality auditing and testing, applied research, and market support and development.