Building owners, architects, roofing consultants and contractors now have a new go-to means of addressing reflectivity codes across North America thanks to a joint effort between SOPREMA and 3M. SOPREMA—a leader in the roofing, waterproofing, wall protection and civil engineering waterproofing industries—has worked in conjunction with 3M—a science-driven company at the forefront of innovation in a multitude of industries—to incorporate brand-new highly reflective white granules for use with SOPREMA’s SBS-modified bitumen roof membrane product line. The result is new-generation SOPRALENE SG and ELASTOPHENE SG modified bitumen cap sheets enhanced with 3M Highly Reflective Granules.

These new-generation SG cap sheets build upon the success of SOPREMA’s reflective roofing products currently on the market. New SOPREMA SG granulate-surfaced cap sheets are improved with 3M Highly Reflective Granules, bringing improved durability and an even brighter white appearance to the market. Moving forward, the new 3M ultrareflective granule will be integrated into SOPREMA SG products to create solutions that provide the solar reflective index (SRI) ratings needed to comprehensively meet the highest U.S. and Canadian reflectivity requirements while providing the proven protection factor of multi-ply SBS-modified bitumen systems.

“We are pleased to be the first to provide this technology: a bright, reflective system without sacrificing multilayer bituminous waterproofing performance,” said Matt Davis, product manager for roof membranes at SOPREMA. “Our new SG products are not only durable and maintain their reflectance over the life of the products, but are also lighter weight for easier handling and application for the installer.”

“SOPREMA has been a strong customer for some time, and we were pleased to work with them on this innovative endeavor.  We’re proud to provide building owners with a reliable solution that is compliant with reflectivity regulations and helps reduce urban heat island effects,” said Amy McLaughlin, business director and general manager, 3M Industrial Mineral Products Division. “SOPREMA’s R&D team provided valuable insights on market and manufacturing needs and helped us conduct large-scale trials during the development of 3M Highly Reflective Granules. As a result of 3M working closely with the customer to create a solution that meets a specific market need, 3M’s new highly reflective granules exceed expectations during and after manufacturing and enable cap sheets to have high solar reflectivity levels years after installation.”

Testing of SOPRALENE SG and ELASTOPHENE SG membranes enhanced with 3M Highly Reflective Granules has shown an initial solar reflectance rating of 0.65, an aged reflectance of 0.62, a thermal emittance of 0.91 both initially and after aging, an initial SRI of 80, and an aged SRI of 75. The new lightweight cap sheets also feature robust opacity, protecting the asphaltic layer and extending the life span of the rooftop. The products require minimal maintenance and will be widely available, providing environmentally sustainable solutions for building owners across the country.

For more information on SOPREMA’s reflective roofing solutions, visit www.soprema.us.