The demand for BIPV products continues to rise globally, driven by construction projects, new material options and growing consumer preference for sustainable solutions.

Solvay announced collaboration with 3TREES, a leading Chinese building materials manufacturer, to develop building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membranes that comply with new 25-year weathering requirements.

The project will support China’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 by accelerating the adoption of distributed rooftop BIPV installations.

In China, using BIPVs to replace conventional thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) building materials for applications such as roofs, skylights and facades is an emerging trend.

Aging requirements for BIPV TPO roofing far exceed the 10-year requirement for standard TPO roofing, a critical factor in offsetting the cost of such installations. However, current TPO solutions in China are unable to meet this specification.

3TREES’ BIPV solution incorporating Solvay’s UV/thermal stabilizers.

Solvay’s CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS B Series UV/thermal stabilizer will enable compliance with the 25-year weathering requirement for BIPV TPO roofing in China, providing excellent protection to TPO and PP parts, even in extreme exposure environments.

CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS B Series stabilizers prevent micro-crack formation, loss of gloss and color shift, and do not interfere with sealing, painting and other surface treatments.

While Solvay’s additives can be incorporated in the TPO membrane, they can also be used in photovoltaic panels and support systems, where they provide very good UV protection for backsheet films and heat stability combined with good chemical resistance.

“Enabled by Solvay’s solutions, 3TREES’ new BIPV TPO roofing membrane will address the limitations of existing products,” commented Ning Chen, Vice President for Solvay’s Polymer Additives business. “We look forward to supporting 3TREES in driving the building and construction industry’s shift to BIPV solutions and working toward China’s carbon neutrality goals.”

Initial testing by 3TREES demonstrated that Solvay’s product provides high stabilization performance. The goal of the collaboration is to work toward the commercialization and scale-up of this solution.

The collaboration agreement will cover product testing, qualification, market promotion, new project development and production. Solvay’s CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS B Series stabilizer will be incorporated into 3TREES’ TPO roofing sheets, allowing the company to exceed ASTM D6878 and ASTM D573 standards.

The stabilizer is also designed to address China-specific standards under evaluation, such as “Technical Regulations for Roofing Engineering of Photovoltaic Modules” and “Technical Specifications for Roofing Engineering.”

“We’ve been impressed by Solvay’s quick action, technical support and stabilization solution,” added Huang Lulu, Research & Innovation Director at 3TREES. “Their CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS B Series stabilizers provide excellent thermal aging performance, show no obvious discoloration, and enable TPO BIPV parts to maintain their physical properties.”

The demand for BIPV products continues to rise globally, driven by construction projects, new material options and growing consumer preference for sustainable solutions.

Solvay announced collaboration with 3TREES, a leading Chinese building materials manufacturer, to develop building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membranes that comply with new 25-year weathering requirements.

The project will support China’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 by accelerating the adoption of distributed rooftop BIPV installations.

In China, using BIPVs to replace conventional thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) building materials for applications such as roofs, skylights and facades is an emerging trend.

Aging requirements for BIPV TPO roofing far exceed the 10-year requirement for standard TPO roofing, a critical factor in offsetting the cost of such installations. However, current TPO solutions in China are unable to meet this specification.

3TREES’ BIPV solution incorporating Solvay’s UV/thermal stabilizers.

Solvay’s CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS B Series UV/thermal stabilizer will enable compliance with the 25-year weathering requirement for BIPV TPO roofing in China, providing excellent protection to TPO and PP parts, even in extreme exposure environments.

CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS B Series stabilizers prevent micro-crack formation, loss of gloss and color shift, and do not interfere with sealing, painting and other surface treatments.

While Solvay’s additives can be incorporated in the TPO membrane, they can also be used in photovoltaic panels and support systems, where they provide very good UV protection for backsheet films and heat stability combined with good chemical resistance.

“Enabled by Solvay’s solutions, 3TREES’ new BIPV TPO roofing membrane will address the limitations of existing products,” commented Ning Chen, Vice President for Solvay’s Polymer Additives business. “We look forward to supporting 3TREES in driving the building and construction industry’s shift to BIPV solutions and working toward China’s carbon neutrality goals.”

Initial testing by 3TREES demonstrated that Solvay’s product provides high stabilization performance. The goal of the collaboration is to work toward the commercialization and scale-up of this solution.

The collaboration agreement will cover product testing, qualification, market promotion, new project development and production. Solvay’s CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS B Series stabilizer will be incorporated into 3TREES’ TPO roofing sheets, allowing the company to exceed ASTM D6878 and ASTM D573 standards.

The stabilizer is also designed to address China-specific standards under evaluation, such as “Technical Regulations for Roofing Engineering of Photovoltaic Modules” and “Technical Specifications for Roofing Engineering.”

“We’ve been impressed by Solvay’s quick action, technical support and stabilization solution,” added Huang Lulu, Research & Innovation Director at 3TREES. “Their CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS B Series stabilizers provide excellent thermal aging performance, show no obvious discoloration, and enable TPO BIPV parts to maintain their physical properties.”