KYDEX Products Surpass HPL for Environment According to Independent Analysis
company news from KYDEX, LLC
18 January 2010
PRESS RELEASE FOR: KYDEX, LLC
FOR RELEASE: Immediate
DATE: January 18, 2010
CONTACT: Kathy Bryan, Alexander & Richardson, 732-302-1223, ext. 37,
kbryan@thesolutionsgroupinc.com
KYDEX Products Surpass HPL for Environment According to Independent Analysis
Bloomsburg, PA, USA, January 18, 2010 — In a report by the GreenTeam Inc., a strategic environmental consulting firm, the results of an independent life cycle assessment (LCA) performed on KYDEX® thermoplastic sheet showed KYDEX® sheet “produces less global warming (greenhouse gases as kg CO2 equivalents), ozone depleting gases, and solid waste” than high pressure laminate (HPL). In addition, the report indicates KYDEX® sheet production uses less energy than HPL production.
The GreenTeam conducted the LCA screening and product comparison for retail giant Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. An LCA screening estimates the environmental impacts of extracting the raw materials from a product, producing and distributing the product, use of the product, and disposal.
KYDEX® sheet is a proprietary compounded thermoplastic product manufactured by KYDEX, LLC, and available in specialised grades used in a wide range of industries. HPL, commonly called Formica, is a composite layered product made by various manufacturers and used in a variety of hard surface building and fixture applications.
In its analysis for Wal-Mart, the GreenTeam used HPL LCA data supplied by the International Committee of Decorative Laminates Industry and performed an LCA for KYDEX® XD and KYDEX® HD using data provided by the manufacturer and databases within SimaPro LCA software. Specifically, the GreenTeam compared data on environmental impacts of sheet constituents according to selected TRACI (Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other environmental Impacts) indicators.
Select Results of LCA Comparison for KYDEX® and HPL Decorative Sheet: (Please contact Kathy Bryan for visual)
Based on the LCA estimates comparing HPL with KYDEX® XD and KYDEX® HD sheet used in a variety of retail applications, the GreenTeam report concluded, “Use of KYDEX® sheet is expected to result in less negative environmental impacts than HPL. Particularly, global warming potential, ozone depletion, energy use, and solid waste generation are better for KYDEX® sheet than HPL.”
The LCA did not include the substrates or adhesives commonly used with both HPL and KYDEX® sheet products. It also assumed both products would be disposed of in landfills, and each product’s lifespan would exceed the normal store remodeling frequency of seven years.
While KYDEX® sheet was originally developed for thermoforming, its expanded use in laminating, membrane pressing, and other processes has led to its use in a growing number of high-traffic applications requiring such properties as fire retardance, chemical resistance, excellent formability, and high impact resistance.
As an alternative to HPL in retail settings, KYDEX® sheet offers design flexibility as well as durability for store fixtures and building components. For instance, KYDEX® sheet can be used to create complex three-dimensional components that withstand impact, chemicals, and cleaning agents while meeting fire safety requirements.
KYDEX® sheet is also available in a wide range of custom colours, textures, and finishes. In addition, KYDEX provides fast setup and production, with the ability to handle small runs, short lead times, and custom orders cost effectively.
For more information, contact a KYDEX sales representative at 570-387-6997 x542, e-mail info@kydex.com, or visit www.kydex.com.
About KYDEX
KYDEX, LLC, is a U.S.-based manufacturer of proprietary thermoplastic sheet products marketed worldwide under the trademark KYDEX®. The company’s headquarters, major manufacturing operation, customer service, and R&D facilities in Bloomsburg, PA, USA, are certified to the ISO 9001:2000 quality management system and the ISO 14001 environmental management system. Technical service, customer service, and sales representatives provide technical advice on designing and manufacturing components with KYDEX® sheet products. ####
