Eco-Friendly Foam Blowing Solutions Since 2002: About Ecomate®
FSI is an innovator in the global foam supplies industry. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, FSI got its start in rigid polyurethane foam in 1972. In the early 1990s, the conversation was about reducing ozone depletion potential (ODP), so we patented HCFC-22 blown chemical systems, which reduced the harmful effects of ozone-depleting CFCs. The conversation then shifted to thermal efficiency, which HCFCs were sorely lacking. The tradeoff was the switchover to HFCs which eliminated ODP but elevated global warming potential (GWP).
Realizing that there had to be a better solution, we set out on a mission to develop the next generation blowing agent. In 1998, FSI created a next-generation, eco-friendly foam blowing agent that was free of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). After years of research, experimentation, and quality testing, FSI was awarded a worldwide patent for Ecomate® in 2002. A year after FSI brought Ecomate® polyurethane foam systems to the global market, the company successfully converted 95% of its HCFC systems to environmentally friendly Ecomate®.
In 2003, FSI was certified under the SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) Program as an approved substitute for foam-blowing agents such as CFCs and HCFCs by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Shortly after, in 2004 and 2006, FSI was granted additional SNAP listings to further qualify Ecomate® as the proven technology to allow manufacturers to create products that were environmentally friendly.
Today, with almost two decades of commercialization under our belt, polyurethane foam products powered by Ecomate® outperform all competing technologies. As the world continues to transition away from damaging HCFCs and HFCs, we're proud to offer a solution that meets both regulatory requirements and consumer demands. Whether it's rigid, flexible, spray, or other types of polyurethanes, we are prepared to help our customers meet their sustainability and business goals. Connect with us today to see how Ecomate® can enhance your business strategy.
About FSI
1972‑1977 The Beginning of Foam Supplies, Inc.
Foam Supplies, Inc. was founded by David and Karen Keske in 1972. The couple started the family business out of their Creve Couer, Missouri, home. However, it didn't take long for FSI to outgrow its initial setup, and in 1974, FSI moved to a larger facility. That same year, FSI developed FLUSH dispensing equipment based on the Olin Autofroth, a portable solution for rigid polyurethane foams.
1978‑1983 The 1984 Olympics and the USS Theodore Roosevelt
After rapid growth in production, FSI relocated to a higher-capacity facility and began taking on high-priority clients. In 1981, FSI was chosen to supply insulation for a walk-in cooler on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and shortly after, in 1983, the company's product, ElastaBond®, was used in the production of tracks for the 1984 Summer Olympics.
1984‑1988 Reaching New Levels of Innovation
In 1984, FSI's polyurethane foam solutions took off again, prompting an out of state expansion to Texas, where a second facility was built. Between 1984-1988, FSI's innovation reached new heights. FSI provided insulation for the USS Abraham Lincoln, created the first computer-controlled in-line blender for manufactured rigid polyurethane systems, patented a solvent-less Urethane Gun (SLUG) to eliminate toxic solvents, supplied insulation for another Presidential ship, the USS George Washington (1986), and in 1988, expanded the blending facility in Dallas, TX (additional expansions in '91, '94, '03, & '12).
1989‑1996 Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Polyurethane Foam Solutions
One thing that has never wavered at FSI is the devotion to creating eco-friendly, sustainable foam solutions. In 1989, FSI was granted a patent for the first HCFC-22 blown systems to replace CFC-11 and 12, while simultaneously meeting the Montreal Protocol (additional patent in 1993). Continuing the forge towards offering sustainable products, between 1990-'95 FSI released the first HFC-134a product technology, obtained additional patents for CFC-free technology, and expanded their production facility yet again (additional expansions in '01, '03, '04, '11, & '15).
1997‑2001 The Search for the Next-Generation Blowing Agent
FSI is focused on innovation and is driven by a natural desire to continually improve and expand on their environmentally-friendly foam solutions. In 1997, FoamNail®, a two-part industrial adhesive was launched (followed by OnePart, a single-component industrial adhesive in 1999), beginning the search for a next-generation blowing agent that could eliminate HCFCs and HFCs — Ecomate® (1998).
2002‑2004 SNAP-Approved and VOC-Exempt
Ecomate® polyurethane foam solutions received a worldwide patent in 2002 (additional patents in '06, '07, '08, '09, and '10). In 2003, Ecomate® was approved under the EPA's SNAP program as a certified eco-friendly alternative blowing agent technology - 95% of FSI's customers followed suit and converted from HCFCs to Ecomate®. In 2004, Ecomate® was granted VOC-exempt status by the EPA, ASTM E-84/UL 723 certification, and was requested by the UNDP for assistance in fulfilling goals under the Montreal Protocol in Article 5 countries.
2005‑2009 International Partnerships
With over two decades of experience under its belt and unarguable success, FSI began forming international partnerships around the world - Australia, Brazil, the U.K., China, India, MEAP, South Africa and South Korea in 2005, and shortly after, Thailand, Mexico, Taiwan, and Singapore. During this time, Ecomate® polyurethane systems obtained Factory Mutual Approval for Class 1 systems (2006) and was awarded the Environmental Innovation Award at IBEX (2007).
2010‑2012 McDonald's Partnership and Additional International Partnerships
As a globally-recognized polyurethane foam supplier, in 2010, FSI was chosen by a significant McDonald's supplier to convert all worldwide McDonald's foaming locations to Ecomate®'s eco-friendly, thermally efficient blowing agent technology. In the same year, Ecomate® was granted a patent in India - prompting the development of FSI subsidiary, FSI India Private Limited in New Delhi (2011). Following the patent in India, international partnerships between FSI and global manufacturers were extended to Turkey, the Phillippines, Malaysia, and other companies.
2013‑2015 The Development of Ecomate®'s Expansive St. Louis Headquarters
Further expanding its territory as an international blowing agent supplier, FSI established subsidiary headquarters in Hong Kong (2013), FSI Shanghai (2014), Europe B.V. in the Netherlands (2015). In 2015, FSI's headquarters in St. Louis expanded to a new Ecomate® production facility, and an additional warehouse and R&D space was established, encouraging the development of a new pressurized dispensing unit.
2016‑Present 45 Years of Success Through Innovation
In 2016, FSI established subsidiary headquarters in Italy, celebrated 45 years of Success through Innovation in 2017, and today continues to be the largest eco-friendly polyurethane foam supplier in the world. Ecomate® and FSI's Success through Innovation continues with a range of products and brands, including SafePAK®, Ecofoam®, Genesis®, Ecoflex®, SLUG®, One-Part® Adhesives, FoamNail®, EcoSpray®, Ecomate®, Ecostar®, PolyAll®, ElastaBond®, Spritzer®, TrenchBreak®, and SureBlend®.