Article Number : 586 |
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| Date | 8/6/2005 4:00:32 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=586 |
| Abstract | Ludwigshafen, Germany—By now, most people in the industry recognize and accept laminate flooring as a durable, style-driven product |
| Article | Ludwigshafen, Germany—By now, most people in the industry recognize and accept laminate flooring as a durable, style-driven product, but following a study by BASF AG they can add “Eco-Efficiency” to the category’s marketable traits. Commissioned by the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF), the study shows that laminate flooring presents a noteworthy ecological profile. The results of this research project were presented to the association by Peter Saling, chemist and analyst at BASF’s Eco-Efficiency Center here. Eco-Efficiency is defined by a combination of ecological and economic factors with the four overriding themes being energy balance, consumption of resources, greenhouse gas potential and recycling effectiveness. In addition to laminate, the study examined a variety of other floor coverings, including carpet, wood, ceramic, marble and PVC. The purpose of the study was to see where the other products stand in relation to Eco-Efficiency and how does laminate measure up to them. Numerous materials were used for the project such as written reports of interviews with laminate mills and their suppliers, published data, and ecological profiles database information from different sources, such as the German Department of the Environment. Saling noted there was one key point that had to be assumed in order for the study to proceed: the assumed product life. For this project, the assumption was 15 years for laminate, 30 years for parquet (wood), 10 years for carpet, 15 years for PVC, 30 years for marble and 40 years for ceramic. He stressed that because Eco-Efficiency is not determined by one factor, each product tested displayed its own strong and weak points, so “the decision to buy will be determined by the particular preferences of individual customers.” In effect, what this does, is give the salesperson and industry another selling tool beyond the plain subjective consumer preferences. Beyond that, “it is important for an industry with an ecological awareness to optimize Eco-Efficiency of their products.” Saling outlined the four themes and how laminate and the other floor coverings did before giving his conclusion based on these results: • Energy balance. This is considered one of the most important parameters against which the Eco-Efficiency of flooring is assessed as it related to the total energy consumed in the production of the flooring, installation, cleaning, and the effects of heating and disposal. The results of the combined effects of these factors show both laminate and carpet as having the most efficient energy balance, meaning they use the least energy; • Consumption of resources. This is an assessment of the consumption of natural resources such as limestone, iron ore, phosphorous, potassium chloride, sulphur, salt, gas, oil and coal. Both laminate and wood came out strong in this area, which Saling said was “small surprise that each performed well. Both achieved a favorable rating because of their use of renewable, sustainable materials—wood and wood products.”; • Greenhouse gas potential. This category equates essentially to the levels of CO2 emissions associated with each form of flooring over its given life cycle—from manufacture to disposal. Interestingly, the various types of floor coverings were fairly evenly matched, and • Recycling effectiveness. The final evaluation was of the recycle-ability of a floor based on factors such as production, laying, cleaning, heating and disposal (conversion to energy). In this area, laminate came out the most favorable due to its low emission levels in production and good reusability. In addition, it is supported by low wastage in the production and installation processes. So what does all this mean? “The results certainly yielded varying results against the different parameters,” he said. “A product that scored highly in the energy balance assessment does not necessarily perform well in consumption of resources.” Saling noted, however, that laminate flooring “clearly achieved good results in three of the four parameters presented and also has a favorable cost calculation.” Further, this type of product could achieve an even higher ranking, if for example, the average lifespan was increased to 20 years. “This would significantly improve its Eco-Efficiency rating. But, whether the consumer would want that is another matter.” This goes along with what he pointed to earlier that even though these can be used as another selling tool consumers will ultimately make their decision based on individual preferences. —Matthew Spieler |