Armstrong World Industries, Inc. announced that it has launched a new, innovative ceiling product that can reduce energy usage in commercial buildings. The new Ultima(R) Templok(R) solution features AWI mineral fiber ceiling panels with integrated phase change material (PCM) that can reduce building energy costs and consumption while also enhancing thermal comfort. The development of Ultima(R)Temok(R) ceiling panels was facilitated by the recent acquisition of the Templok business and certain manufacturing and technology assets from Insolcorp, LLC, a PCM technology company headquartered in Albemarle, N.C. This investment provides AWI with intellectual property and unique equipment to produce PCM.

When integrated with AWI ceiling panels, PCM absorbs and releases heat as temperatures inside a building rise and fall, thereby regulating room temperature with lower energy usage. The company's research estimates that installing these miles can reduce energy cost and consumption by up to 15% as measured in lab tests.