What is PIR sandwich panel?
PIR — polyisocyanurate — is a rigid foam made, like polyurethane, from a polyol and an isocyanate, but with the isocyanate in excess so that the polymer forms isocyanurate ring structures: more cross-linked, more thermally stable and, in a fire, forming a protective char instead of burning through. The foam is blown with pentane (no HFCs), has a closed-cell density of 38–42 kg/m³ and a thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/mK aged — against 0.024–0.026 for PUR, 0.036 for EPS and 0.040 for rockwool — so a PIR panel reaches a given U-value at 40 % less thickness than mineral wool. In a sandwich panel the foam is injected between the skins on a continuous line and expands to fill and bond, giving a stiff, light element (a 50 mm panel weighs 10 kg/m²) that spans purlins at 3 m and girts at 4 m. The fire performance is what separates PIR from the older PUR: tested to EN 13501-1, our PIR panels are classed B-s1,d0 or B-s2,d0 (limited contribution to fire, little smoke, no flaming droplets) and are accepted by FM Global-influenced and most European insurers for roofs and walls where rockwool is not mandatory; the char layer slows fire spread and the panel keeps its shape, but PIR is still organic and combustible — where a non-combustible A2 core or an EI fire-resistance rating is required, the rockwool panel applies. PIR is dimensionally stable from −40 to +120 °C, does not absorb water, does not rot, and is the core of freezer and cold-store panels down to −40 °C. We produce PIR roof panels (5-rib), wall panels (micro-rib, lined, flat, secret-fix) and cold-room panels in 40–200 mm, 1 000 mm cover, lengths to 14 m, with PPGI skins in RAL 9002, 9010, 7016 and the other stock colours.
Grades, standards and tolerances
| Grade / standard | Yield (MPa) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| PIR core, 38–42 kg/m³, pentane-blown | λ 0.022 W/mK | B-s1,d0 / B-s2,d0 to EN 13501-1; EN 13165 |
| Compressive strength | ≥ 0.10 N/mm² | at 10 % deformation |
| Service temperature | −40 to +120 °C | dimensionally stable |
| Water absorption | < 2 % vol. | closed cell |
| Skins DX51D / S250GD + Z100–Z275 + PPGI | ≈ 140 / 250 | EN 10346 / EN 10169 |
Declared values per EN 14509 CE marking; aged λ per EN 13165 Annex C.
PIR vs PUR vs rockwool vs EPS
| Core | λ (W/mK) | Thickness for U = 0.25 | Density (kg/m³) | Fire (EN 13501-1) | Max. temp. | Price index | Choose for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIR | 0.022 | 85 mm | 40 | B-s1,d0 / B-s2,d0 | 120 °C | 100 | the standard; best insulation, insurer-accepted |
| PUR | 0.024–0.026 | 95 mm | 40 | B-s2,d0 / B-s3,d0 | 100 °C | 95 | economy where fire class is not specified |
| Rockwool | 0.040 | 150 mm | 100–120 | A2-s1,d0 | 250 °C+ | 125 | non-combustible, EI fire walls, acoustic |
| EPS | 0.036 | 140 mm | 15–20 | B-s2,d0 / E | 75 °C | 80 | cheapest; partitions, mild climates |
Price index for 50 mm wall panel with identical skins. Thickness for U = 0.25 W/m²K includes skins.
PIR panel thickness and U-value
| Thickness | U-value (W/m²K) | R-value (m²K/W) | Weight (kg/m²) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 mm | 0.52 | 1.9 | 9.8 | unheated sheds, canopies |
| 50 mm | 0.42 | 2.4 | 10.2 | standard roofs and walls |
| 60 mm | 0.35 | 2.9 | 10.6 | workshops, light heating |
| 80 mm | 0.27 | 3.7 | 11.4 | heated halls, offices |
| 100 mm | 0.21 | 4.7 | 12.2 | chillers 0 to +5 °C, energy codes |
| 120 mm | 0.18 | 5.6 | 13.0 | cold stores −5 to 0 °C |
| 150 mm | 0.14 | 7.0 | 14.1 | freezers −20 °C, EU codes |
| 200 mm | 0.11 | 9.3 | 16.0 | deep freeze −40 °C |
Skins, coatings and colours
| Skin | Thickness | Zinc / paint | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPGI PE 25 µm | 0.40 / 0.50 / 0.60 mm | Z100–Z140, RAL 9002 / 9010 / 3009 / 7016 … | outer and inner face standard |
| PPGI SMP / PVDF | 0.50 / 0.60 mm | Z140–Z275 | coastal, Gulf, colour warranty |
| Galvanized | 0.40 / 0.50 mm | Z140–Z275, unpainted | inner face on a budget |
| Food-grade PE | 0.50 mm | Z140, RAL 9010 | food, cold-store interiors |
| Aluzinc / aluminium | 0.50 / 0.60 mm | — | to order |
Outer skin profiled (micro-rib, lined or 5-rib roof); inner skin micro-ribbed or flat.
Lengths and stock
PIR roof and wall panels in 50, 60 and 80 mm, 9002/9002, 0.50/0.40 skins are produced continuously and ship in 5–10 working days at any length to 14 m; 40, 100–200 mm, secret-fix, flat-face cold-room panels and other colours in 2–3 weeks. Flashings, fixings and sealants are supplied with every order.
Cutting, fixing and handling
PIR panels are cut with a fine-tooth circular saw or cold saw (no grinder — hot swarf and burnt foam); fix as roof or wall panel with self-drilling screws through the skin and core into the purlin or girt, minimum 50 mm from the panel end; openings cut on the ground; edges of cut cores sealed with PU foam and flashings. Panels are light (10–16 kg/m²) and rigid — lift with vacuum lifters or clamps, never by the joint edge; store flat, sloped and covered; remove the film within 3 months.
Where it is used
- Industrial and logistics roofs and walls
- Cold stores, chillers and freezers (100–200 mm)
- Food, pharma and clean-room buildings
- Commercial and retail buildings
- Prefab housing, camps and modular units
- Agricultural buildings, poultry and dairy houses
PIR vs PUR vs rockwool
PUR is 5 % cheaper and a little less insulating and less fire-safe — fine where no fire class is specified; rockwool is non-combustible, heavier and 25 % dearer — required for fire walls and by some codes; EPS is the budget core for partitions. PIR is the default for roofs, walls and cold rooms. The sandwich panel overview compares the range.
Price
PIR panels are priced per m² by thickness and panel type on the panel list — the reference core, about 5 % above PUR and 20 % below rockwool — following the PPGI and isocyanate prices; the bands below are the month\'s indicative FOB Istanbul ranges for 50 and 100 mm.
Bands from our weekly export list (September 2026), FOB Istanbul, full-container quantities, excluding freight and certificates. Firm price per project on RFQ within one working day.
Export and packing
PIR panels are stacked 8–15 per pack with foam separators and PE film on both skins, strapped on timber bearers with edge protection and PE-wrapped; volume limits the load — a 40' HC takes about 400–600 m² of 50 mm panels, 250–300 m² of 100 mm — and 12–14 m panels go on flat-racks or by covered truck. Packs are labelled with type, thickness, colours, length and count. HS 7308.90 / 9406.
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| MOQ | 300 m² per type and thickness |
| Incoterms | FOB Istanbul · CIF / CFR Gulf, Africa · DAP EU, Balkans, Iraq, Caucasus · DAP Aktau |
| Lead time | Stock thicknesses and colours: 5–10 working days; special cores, colours and lengths 2–3 weeks |
| Packing | Panels stacked 8–15 per pack with foam separators, PE film on both faces, strapped on timber bearers, PE-wrapped |
| Container / truck | 40' HC ≈ 400–550 m² of 50 mm panels (volume-limited); 12 m panels on flat-rack or by truck to Iraq / Caucasus |
| Documents | Invoice, packing list, EN 10204 3.1 (skins), CE DoP (EN 14509), fire classification report, certificate of origin; SASO / SONCAP on request |
| Payment | 30% advance, balance against B/L copy; L/C at sight above 100 t |
Certificates
Every order ships with the CE declaration of performance under EN 14509, the EN 13501-1 fire classification report (B-s1,d0 / B-s2,d0), the core data sheet (density, λ, compressive strength to EN 13165) and the skin coil EN 10204 3.1 certificates; insurer data sheets (FM-style) on request.
How to order
Specify panel type (roof / wall / cold room), thickness, skins and colours, fixing system, lengths and quantities, fire class required (B-s1,d0 standard), and destination; we return the CE data sheet and a quotation within a working day.
Standards
- EN 14509 — self-supporting double-skin metal-faced insulating panels
- EN 13501-1 fire classification; EN 13165 (PIR/PUR), EN 13162 (mineral wool), EN 13163 (EPS) cores
- EN 10169 / EN 10346 skin steel
- EN 10204 3.1
Grades
Grade data sheets (chemistry, mechanicals, equivalents) are on our reference site: DX51D · S250GD · S280GD
Frequently asked questions
What is a PIR sandwich panel?
A roof, wall or cold-room panel with a polyisocyanurate foam core — λ 0.022 W/mK, 40 kg/m³, fire class B-s1,d0 — between steel skins; the best-insulating and most insurer-accepted foam-core panel.
What is the difference between PIR and PUR panels?
PIR is a more cross-linked polyurethane chemistry: 10 % better insulation, stable to 120 °C and it chars instead of burning, giving B-s1,d0 instead of B-s2/s3. PUR is about 5 % cheaper.
Is PIR fireproof?
No — it is combustible but of limited contribution (B-s1,d0): it chars and self-extinguishes. For non-combustible A2 or EI-rated walls use rockwool panels.
What thickness of PIR panel for a cold store?
100 mm for chillers around 0 °C, 120–150 mm for cold stores and freezers to −20 °C, 200 mm for −40 °C.
What U-value does a 50 mm PIR panel have?
About 0.42 W/m²K (R = 2.4); 80 mm gives 0.27, 100 mm 0.21.
What is the price of PIR panels?
Per m² FOB Istanbul by thickness — see the bands above for 50 and 100 mm.