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What are some examples of the latest flooring adhesives marketed as being environmentally friendly? What are the latest developments in this area for polyurethanes and waterbornes?

The latest examples of environmentally formulated floor covering adhesive from W.F. Taylor include the patented Meta-Tec® line of adhesives for wood flooring, resilient and carpet application.  The Meta-Tec® line is made exclusively from renewable bio-based oil and resins and are solvent free and are the only floor covering adhesives to be awarded Greenguard certification for air quality and environmental efficacy.  These products also are certified by the CRI Green Label protocol.

As a new addition to these patented Meta-Tec adhesives, Taylor has introduced Meta-Tec MS Plus, a Greenguard certified wood flooring adhesive that is isocyanate (TDI, MDI) and solvent free.  Isocyanate is the leading cause of occupational asthma worldwide.  Isocyanate and solvent based urethane wood flooring adhesives are under increased environmental regulation and scrutiny throughout the developed world.  Installer and occupant health is a prime concern in developing new environmentally safe products.

The Taylor MS Plus product combines existing Meta-Tec technology with telechelic modified silane (MS) polymer chemistry for a 100% solids, one-part, moisture curing high performance adhesive.

What are the primary features/benefits of these “green” products?  How do they meet IAQ issues without compromising performance?

For over a decade, W.F. Taylor has led the flooring adhesive industry in progressive environmental practices. We launched the first environmentally friendly products in 1990 with our Envirotec® Healthguard Series and continue to operate our company from the premise that our adhesives must exceed current environmental requirements regarding harmful chemical and VOC emissions.

What factors are impacting their specification?  What are the advantages for flooring contractors, retailers and specifiers?

The specification of environmentally safe adhesives is being driven by many factors simultaneously.  Among the major influence are growing indoor air quality regulations throughout the U.S., Architect and specifier liability in floor covering and installation systems, LEED Certification and public awareness in the building and construction industries, safeguarding installer and occupant health during and after installation of floor covering.

Other leading areas of concern are (MDI, TDI) isocyanate and formaldehyde content of floor covering adhesives and flooring products.

How are green adhesives being accepted in the installation community?  How are they priced vs. existing products?

Solvent free and low VOC adhesives have been well accepted by installers since we at Taylor were the first to introduce the technology to the industry with the launch of our Environtec® line in 1990.  Later advancements led to Taylor being the first to achieve both CRI Green label and Greenguard certification.  The installation community can be assured of reliable performance and verified and certified environmental standards are consistently met.

The price of many of these products are equivalent and possibly could be lower if substitution of petrochemical raw materials continue to grow with renewable bio-based resins and oil being utilized with alternative chemistry and technology.