Tarkett Vinyl: Almost zero VOCs and Phthalate Free
Tarkett's constant drive for product innovation, with a particular focus on improving their environmental friendliness, pays off with the announcement that they are now producing commercial ranges, Eminent, Granit, Megalit, Optima, Eclipse Premium and Primo Premium and all Residential ranges of vinyl flooring with close to zero VOC (ie. below quantifiable levels), and they are also phthalate-free.
Together with this production improvement the commercial IQ ranges have also been certified by GreenTag GreenRate to Level A, which gives Materials points allocation for NZ Green Star requirements.
Which ranges benefit from this change?
Tarkett's Low Maintenance iQ collection - Eminent, Granit, Megalit, Optima, Primo Premium and Eclipse Premium.
Tarkett's Residential Vinyl ranges.
What are phthalates?
Phthalates are plasticizers, included in the manufacture of vinyl flooring to make the sheets more flexible and durable. Phthalates are present in many different sorts of plastic and are not considered to be a major health risk. However, as with many modern additives they do accumulate in the human body and the long term effects of constant exposure are unknown. Tarkett are taking responsibility as one of the largest manufacturers of resilient flooring in the world to phase out the use of phthalates in their flooring, starting with the ranges listed above. This development has only been possible through extensive research and investment in production processes to ensure that removing phthalates from the products would not negatively impact on the product performance.
Does the vinyl still have plasticizers?
Plasticizers are a necessary additive in the production of vinyl sheet flooring, as the end product needs to be flexible enough to be made into rolls without cracking and breaking. So yes, these ranges do still contain plasticizers, but it is guaranteed phthalate-free, and Tarkett continue their research into improved plasticizers that will offer natural or renewable properties.
How has the near-zero VOC level been achieved?
Again, this results from Tarkett's significant investment in researching raw materials and production processes.
What about Tarkett's other resilient products?
Linoleum is the gold standard of environmental friendliness, manufactured with a 95% average of natural raw materials (linseed oil, pine resin, cork flour, wood flour, limestone and jute) of which an average of 73% is also rapidly renewable, ie replenished within 5 years.
The remaining homogeneous products and heterogeneous products achieve a low VOC measurement, at 100ug/m³, they are still 10 times lower than the European emission standard. Tarkett's intention for the future is to continue striving towards safer, healthier solutions across all of their products, aiming for improved indoor air quality and a healthier quality of life.