Download a PDF of this article
Franklin Adhesives & Polymers Publishes Guide to Global Formaldehyde Regulations
Franklin developed the Green Guide to help manufacturers of composite wood products understand upcoming CARB regulations and existing global standards for formaldehyde emissions.
Franklin Adhesives and Polymers, a division of Franklin International, has published a six-page booklet, Green Guide: Understanding Formaldehyde Regulations Around the World, to help manufacturers of composite wood products meet upcoming and existing limits on formaldehyde emissions in the U.S., Europe, Asia and other global markets – including imminent California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations.
The guide’s release coincides with the need for companies worldwide to understand stringent limits on formaldehyde in composite wood products under CARB regulations, to be phased in over three years beginning January 2009. The guide includes a schedule showing effective dates for emission standards on the three products CARB targets: plywood, particleboard and fiberboard. CARB affects domestic manufacturers of these products as well as companies shipping products to the U.S. The Green Guide also discusses the merit of using a formaldehyde-free adhesive to ensure compliance with CARB standards, given that wood typically contains some natural amount of formaldehyde.
In addition to CARB, the guide provides in-depth information on other major formaldehyde standards around the world. Standards addressed include U.S.-based LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a set of building project guidelines (not standards) that ban the use of urea-formaldehyde adhesives in composite wood products; Emissions Class E1 and E2, formaldehyde regulations adopted by most European nations; Japan’s tiered Four-star rating system to control formaldehyde emissions in building products; and Australia’s Green Star program, patterned after European BREEAM and U.S. LEED.
The guide also includes a practical chart comparing all formaldehyde standards, testing methods, materials under regulation and allowed emissions. “As a leader in adhesives for the wood industry, we strongly believe we are obligated to help customers understand and comply with environmental regulations around the world, including formaldehyde emissions standards,” said Jaye Schroeder, vice president, wood market development, North America, for Franklin Adhesives & Polymers. “In keeping with this philosophy, we have dedicated ourselves to producing adhesives that help the wood industry to meet regulations. We also proactively educate the market about these regulations, and published the Green Guide as part of this initiative.”
Franklin Adhesives & Polymers offers many commonly used Titebond and Multibond wood adhesives that could support manufacturers of composite wood products in meeting formaldehyde emissions standards. The company also recently introduced Multibond 4000 FF, a completely formaldehyde-free, water-resistant, one-part x-PVAc adhesive.
For a copy of the Green Guide, contact customer service at 1.800.487.4583 or 1.614.443.0241, or send an e-mail to marketing@franklininternational.com.
###
About Franklin International: Based in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A., Franklin International was established in 1935 and today is among the largest privately held manufacturers of adhesives, sealants and polymers for commercial and industrial applications. Franklin integrates its core competency – emulsion polymerization – into a broad product offering, including glues, adhesives, hot melts, binders, sizing compounds and more. These products are distributed across six continents for use in construction, furniture manufacturing, millwork, paper converting, pressure-sensitive products and fiberglass reinforcement.
Media Contact Information:
Jeanne Tranter
T 1.614.445.0888
M 1.614.581.0979
jtranter@trantercommunications.com
Abbe Raabe, Marketing Communications Manager
T 1.614.445.1337
M 1.614.678.4464
abberaabe@franklininternational.com