Deploying IS Thermal Barrier Sheets for Heat Protection in Buildings and Facilities Without Additional Energy Costs

Ishikura Shoten K.K. Building Materials Division

Publication date	May 9, 2024 (Posted on Jun 19, 2025)
Sector	Human Health / Life of Citizenry and Urban Life

Company Overview

Ishikura Shoten is engaged in the business of general scales, weights, and thermometers; sales and installation of thermal barrier aluminum sheets; and manufacture, sales, and installation of cement lightweight aggregate, stone, tiles, and other materials.

Climate Change Impacts

With the progression of global warming in recent years, the duration of summer season has been extending. As extreme high temperatures occur more frequently, especially during summer, cases of heat stroke have been increasing. Consequently, the risk of heat stroke-related injuries and fatalities in workplace environments is also rising.

Adaptation Initiatives

We manufacture and distribute "IS Thermal Barrier Sheets," which help reduce heat inside buildings by blocking radiant heat from the sun and machinery using aluminum sheets (Fig. 1, Note).

The IS Thermal Barrier Sheet has the following four key features:

• Premium Quality: 99% High-Purity Aluminum
  The 0.2mm-thin, tear-resistant double-sided aluminum material blocks up to 97% of radiant heat.
• Special Coatings
  Both sides are coated with an anti-corrosion coating to prevent degradation over time, and protect against galvanic corrosion. This ensures long-term durability, even in harsh environments including areas affected by salt damage.
• Non-Combustible Material
  All products are certified as non-combustible by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. They can be installed in buildings subject to fire safety regulations under the Building Standards Act, such as explosion-proof warehouses.
• Versatile Product Lineup
  We develop and install products based on our industry-leading experience in a wide variety of applications. In addition to installation under building roofs, our products can be applied to walls, machinery, ships, tents, plastic greenhouses, and more.

IS Thermal Barrier Sheets are thin aluminum sheets that are easily attached to the structure, with minimal impact on the building frame. This makes them suitable for installation not only on buildings but also on machinery and equipment of various shapes. These sheets can be installed during the construction of new stores, factories, etc., and in ceiling spaces, but can also be added later or easily customized.

We conducted an experiment to verify the effectiveness of the IS Thermal Barrier Sheets by dividing the second floor of a warehouse with the same structure into areas with and without the sheet installed. Thermometers were placed at a height of approximately 1.5 meters from the ground, and temperature fluctuations were measured between 12:00 and 13:00. As a result, the maximum temperature difference reached 10.2℃, confirming the temperature reduction effect of the sheets(Fig. 2).

Effects / Expected Benefits

By installing IS Thermal Barrier Sheets on the inside or outside of roofs, up to 97% of the sun’s heat (radiant heat) is reflected, reducing the impact of external heat. This is expected to save energy by significantly reducing air conditioning usage and improve employee productivity. Furthermore, when applied to machinery and equipment, it helps suppress radiant heat emitted from the machinery and prevent heat stroke by improving the working environment. It is also expected to prevent deterioration of both the machinery itself and the products it handles.