OMNOVA Wallcoverings and the Environment.
Two Constructions with One Goal.
Recently, much has been written and debated about the effects of vinyl on the environment – including issues such as indoor air quality, product safety, emissions during production, recycling and disposal. OMNOVA Solutions has taken measures to ensure that our traditional vinyl wallcovering products are constructed, produced and installed for optimum environmental performance. In addition, we introduced new ECORE™ Advanced Wall Technology in mid 2007 for designers and specifiers seeking strongly performing alternatives to PVC products. A revolutionary wallcovering platform based on nano-technology, ECORE delivers all of the performance characteristics of Type II wallcoverings in a non-PVC platform, while also boasting great design and color.
Vinyl wallcoverings continue to be the industry standard. Extensive testing by industry and government sources, advanced manufacturing and recycling processes, as well as the chemistry behind the product, all make a strong case for vinyl as an environmentally smart material choice. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee final report discussed in early 2007 reaffirmed its findings from 2004. Using both life cycle and risk assessment analyses, the report concluded that in the Council’s LEED rating system, a credit that rewards avoidance of PVC could steer decision makers toward using materials that may have a less desirable environmental profile.
Materials that emit lower levels of volatile organic compound (VOCs) can be considered an environmentally preferred choice – especially when they also offer durability, longevity, quality and value. OMNOVA’s performance in the area of indoor air quality has earned many of our vinyl wallcoverings the coveted GREENGUARD INDOOR AIR QUALITY CERTIFIED designation, which recognizes products that have been tested and confirmed for low VOC emissions.
The Chemical Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA) and The Vinyl Institute have compiled information in response to the most frequently asked questions about vinyl and the environment.
ECORE™ Advanced Wall Technology is a worry-free, low maintenance solution for interior environments. ECORE is based on EVOLON® microfibers from Freudenberg, which has won awards for its low-energy manufacturing process. Wallcoverings featuring ECORE technology are environmentally friendly. They have low VOC emissions and are 100% recyclable, and a post-use reclamation program will be included when the product begins shipping in late 2007.
Additional facts and information on these topics are available through the following organizations and web sites: