News @ WDG

System 14™ Roof System from West Development Group
Saving the Planet One Roof at a Time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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June 25, 2008

LaGrange, Ohio - West Development Group (WDG) is changing the approach to commercial and industrial roofing. System 14™ Total Silicone Roof System is the company's new green roofing option. A solvent-free silicone topcoat is applied over a soy-based, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) to create a seamless, moisture-resistant, insulated, self-flashing seal. This environmentally friendly silicone roof technology eliminates the use of petroleum-based solvents. For example, using WDG's solvent-free silicone on a 100,000 square foot roof prevents the release of about 1,000 gallons of solvent into the atmosphere – enough petroleum to drive a family sedan around the world.

Traditional petroleum-based roofing products have high raw material costs and significant environmental impact. Petroleum supplies continue to rise, with the cost of petroleum-based roofing systems increasing as well. Silicone is recyclable and is the most abundant element on earth. Better yet, WDG developed a formula for producing the System 14 silicone-roofing product with 20% recycled EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) from old roof tear-offs. WDG's exclusive R2R™ (Roof-to-Roof) recycling process positions the company as the only roof system manufacturer to use recycled EPDM material to strengthen and enhance the physical properties of its silicone topcoat for new roofing projects. By using reclaimed material from old roof tear-offs, the R2R process prevents tons of old roofing material from entering landfills. Disposed EPDM takes 10,000 years to degrade.

Spray polyurethane foam is a proven roof insulation that helps reduce energy use and costs. WDG spray foam provides other environmental benefits as well. It is manufactured from soy-based polyol in lieu of petroleum-based polyol. Approximately 25% of the polyol used in the insulation manufacturing process is renewable. WDG is working with other companies to improve these formulations.

WDG made a commitment to ensure that its new products had to be environmentally beneficial, economically viable, and functionally equivalent to the products being replaced.

The company considers the environment so important that it helped establish and is providing financial assistance to the Scientia Terrae Causa (Knowledge for the Earth) Environmental Science Scholarship Fund at Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA. The fund helps high school students planning to study environmental science at Ferrum, and WDG will donate a percentage of future sales of its environmental products, including its solvent-free silicone coatings, to the fund. WDG is committed to better roofs, a cleaner planet, and providing financial assistance to young people pursuing a career in environmental sciences.

Considering the Environment

A few years ago, when WDG began its research into making green roofing products, the company found that, in many cases, pursuing environmental solutions reduced product costs and improved product performance and marketability. As a result, WDG examines all aspects of its business activities and the corresponding environmental impact, such as raw material sourcing, regional purchasing, and the carbon footprint left behind by its manufacturing processes and end products.

In addition, environmentally responsible practices in WDG's manufacturing process, along with a reduced carbon footprint, make System 14 a 360-degree green product. Examples in environmental processing include using geothermal energy and recycled materials in both processing and packaging. As an example of reducing carbon emissions, consider that one truckload of SPF delivered to a job site does the job of four truckloads of board stock insulation.

Benefits to roofing contractors include easy application with just one coat in less time and with less labor than other roofing products. State-of-the-art equipment is available to contractors to rent or buy. WDG's Silver Eagle is for spraying polyurethane foam; the AutoSlope robotic SPF shapes foam to the desired slope; and the ChannelMaster cuts perfectly shaped and tapered drainage channels. The Scarfer cuts the surface of the old roof and the Kwik Booth is a portable and lightweight solution to overspray problems.

The quality of WDG System 14 is backed up by rigorous product testing and conformance to industry standards, including ASTM International and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. System 14 passed Accelerated Weathering tests (ASTM D4799) and Fire Ratings (both ASTM E108 and UL 790). WDG has its own testing facility and burn tunnel (for fire ratings) that provides research and testing for third-party polyurethane blenders, as well as for raw material suppliers such as fire and smoke suppressant manufacturers, polyol manufacturers, soy product manufacturers, and surfactant and catalyst manufacturers.

Significant time and effort went into the development of System 14. Early false starts, exhaustive research and testing, alliances with other manufacturers, and complying with demanding standards are mile markers on the road to innovation. System 14 is environmentally beneficial, economically viable, and functionally equivalent to any roofing system it replaces.

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West Development Group (WDG) specializes in silicone and polyurethane foam technologies used in the roofing industry. The company is committed to sustainability and protecting the environment through ecologically sound products and practices. WDG products are developed with knowledge gained from nearly 30 years of input from roofing contractors. The WDG roof system is the only total silicone roof that makes total ecological sense. A quality silicone roof system helps save money in installation and maintenance. This one helps save the planet.