Article Number : 2133 |
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| Date | 7/13/2007 9:09:14 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=2133 |
| Abstract | By K.J. Quinn Following years of tinkering formulations to build a better mousetrap, adhesive makers continue researching opportunities to improve the environmental aspects of their products without compromising quality and performance... |
| Article | By K.J. Quinn Following years of tinkering formulations to build a better mousetrap, adhesive makers continue researching opportunities to improve the environmental aspects of their products without compromising quality and performance. The stakes are considerably higher as growing indoor air quality (IAQ) regulations, LEED certification, and A&D liability in flooring and installation systems influence new product development. “Green adhesives and green products, in general, are rapidly becoming a major influence in our marketplace,” declared Sonny Callaham, flooring application specialist at Para-Chem. “The need for glues to emit the lowest possible VOCs (volatile organic compounds) is addressed daily.” Significant investments are being made in research and development to ensure the latest bonding systems not only comply with manufacturer specs and regulatory requirements, but meet green building requirements. For example, studies indicate the number of sick days used in green buildings is significantly lower than a traditional building. Plus the cost of maintenance is reduced, so resale values are higher. As a result, there is growing demand within the A&D community for adhesives that emit low VOC emissions and are nearly solvent free. “LEED programs, regional requirements and consumer demand are driving the continued need for manufacturers to provide low-VOC and green adhesives,” said Gregory Wood, president, Advanced Adhesive Technologies (AAT). “The residential building market is now moving quickly toward the same preferences and criteria that are commonplace in the commercial arena.” Greener adhesives Green, low-VOC technology is nothing new to the adhesive industry. Suppliers note they have been on the leading edge of this movement since federal environmental regulations tightened up some 15 years ago. In addition to lowering VOC emissions, innovations focus on increasing moisture and alkali resistance, lowering curing time and improving trowel ability and clean up. “AAT and our suppliers are developing formulas that utilize PCR materials and bio-technologies to lessen the demand for non-renewable petro-based components,” Wood said. “In addition to the utilization of cleaner raw materials, we make use of PCR/PIR packaging.” The production of environmentally friendly products has been an ongoing practice at Mapei since the early 1990s, following the introduction of Ultrabond ECO 350, a high-tack universal flooring adhesive. The line has since been expanded to include adhesives for other floor coverings. In a recent development, the company introduced Ultrabond 990 and Ultrabond 980 wood flooring adhesives. Both of these glues are marketed as solvent-free, single-component and moisture-curing urethanes. “They have been specifically designed for easy application and high performance,” said Rick Wolf, Mapei’s floor covering installation systems business manager. “And now, Mapei is introducing Planiseal WFM, a wood flooring membrane that forms a moisture vapor reduction barrier between concrete substrates and wood floors.” DriTac Adhesive Group is launching a line of wood flooring adhesives said to have low odor, provide excellent grab, and contain no VOCs and solvents. 7500 Eco-Urethane, a premium moisture cure urethane, can be used to install most wood floors, while 9200 FasTac, a polymeric resin adhesive, is applicable for putting down multiply engineered plank, acrylic impregnated wood, parquet and 3/4-inch solid shorts. 6200GR, a waterborne, pressure sensitive adhesive, is ideal for applications such as multiply engineered plank, acrylic impregnated wood, parquet, foam-backed parquet and cork tile. “With zero VOCs and zero solvents, DriTac’s green adhesives significantly reduce the chances of adding to any of the pollutants already present in our indoor air,” said John Lio, marketing manager. Para-Chem, too, recently introduced three green adhesives. The company said Millennium Series 2004 and Millennium Series 2007 are the only two wood adhesives to carry the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Plus certification, a certification designed for architects, facility administrators and others who want greater assurance of good IAQ. “We also introduced our Fusion Series 5082, Transitional Pressure Sensitive adhesive which is also CRI Green Label Plus certified,” Callaham said. “With the introduction of more flooring materials that are PVC-free and therefore better for the environment, it has been a challenge to keep up. However, Fusion Series 5082 is up to this challenge.” Not to be outdone, W.F. Taylor boasts adhesives which carry the CRI Green Label, which assures customers that approved products meet stringent requirements for low chemical emissions. The Meta-Tec line is applicable for wood, resilient and carpet applications. ”The Meta-Tec line is made exclusively from renewable bio-based oil and resins and are solvent free,” noted Mihir Gandhi, marketing coordinator and creative graphic designer. “They are the only floor covering adhesives to be awarded Greenguard certification for air quality and environmental efficacy.” Greenguard certification is issued by the Greenguard Environmental Institute to demonstrate a product contributes minimal emissions to indoor environments. A new addition is Meta-Tec MS Plus, a Greenguard-certified wood flooring adhesive that is isocyanate (TDI, MDI) and solvent free. “Isocyanate and solvent-based urethane wood flooring adhesives are under increased environmental regulation and scrutiny throughout the developed world,” Gandhi observed. “Installer and occupant health is a prime concern in developing new environmentally safe products.” MS Plus combines Meta-Tec technology with telechelic modified silane (MS) polymer chemistry producing a 100% solids, one-part, moisture-curing high-performance adhesive. Maintaining high performance, quality While every flooring category maintains adhesives marketed as environmentally friendly, an ongoing issue is developing products that meet increasingly stringent VOC emission levels without compromising performance. Once it was realized solvents were a hazard, it became a major challenge for glue manufacturers to achieve acceptable performance without them. “The main problem, however, was water’s evaporation rate, which is much slower than that of petroleum-based solvents,” Mapei’s Wolf said. “Research led to the development of new water-based adhesives with high-technology resins and polymers.” Indeed, IAQ issues mean much more than simply putting different green products together in a building. In the case of adhesives, performance characteristics must be specially designed to suit the flooring application. “The key is constant testing of new raw materials and new flooring materials being introduced in the marketplace,” Callaham said. One trend quickly taking hold in the A&D community is specification of solvent-free flooring adhesives that contain antimicrobial protection. This enables the floor to contribute significantly to a quality indoor environment. Mold has become an increasingly growing concern within building interiors, experts say, which has sparked greater use of these agents in adhesives. A case in point is Mapei’s BioBlock technology, added to select products to help inhibit growth of odor- and stain-causing mold, mildew and bacteria in the glue. “Antimicrobials can inhibit mold growth in adhesives in both wet and dry states,” Wolf noted. Taylor recently announced a breakthrough with its Meta-Tec technology that utilizes more renewable bio-source materials to help lessen the strain on the environment. “When you purchase a pail of Taylor adhesive, you are getting a product that is low in VOCs, contains no harmful chemicals and is anti-microbial protected to prevent the product from becoming a source of harmful microbial growth,” stated Barry Wright, executive vice president. These and other developments can help ease environmental concerns of consumers and specifiers alike while improving IAQ within buildings and homes. “They receive the added bonus of environmentally friendly adhesives that do not compromise the performance of the product in any way,” DriTac’s Lio said. “It’s a win-win for everyone, including the customer and the installer, who is no longer forced to work with harmful VOCs or solvents.” While use of solvent-based glues containing high VOC content is reportedly declining, observers say the industry needs to step up its educational efforts about the features, benefits and installation techniques of the latest products. “With the participation of the manufacturers at the CFI Convention presenting the latest adhesives, installation products and techniques for their use, installers are equipped to install flooring in the matter in which the manufacturer specifies,” noted Jim Walker, founder of CFI (International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association). “When questions arise, a manufacturing contact is immediately available for assistance.” Adhesive makers say they support their products with, among other things, training, marketing and merchandising. Meanwhile, industry watchers say more installers are taking advantage of the many training seminars organized by different installation organizations and manufacturers. Taylor’s Gandhi said, “The installation community can be assured of reliable performance and verified and certified environmental standards are consistently met.” |