Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPXECO-FRIENDLY, WATER-BASED VARNISHES FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS

GREENBUILDING

AS A BUILDING STYLE

An approach to building that embraces GreenBuilding puts the eco-sustainability quality of the building and the health of its occupants at the centre of attention; this means improving the quality of indoor air, creating healthy environments for people to live in and buildings that are more energy and environmentally efficient.

What is GreenBuilding?It is the new low environmental impact philosophy promoted by Kerakoll® that focuses on improving health and quality of life.

How it is achieved?Through education and an informed, careful selection of certified building materials, which must be eco-friendly, naturally breathable, and highly energy-efficient.

GreenBuilding is good for you because it• Safeguards the health of the environment• Improves the quality of air in confined environments• Curbs illnesses caused by Sick building syndrome• Prevents the proliferation of microorganisms• Improves the energy efficiency of buildings

THE ADVANTAGES OF

LIVING IN A GREENBUILDING

The environmental advantagesThe solutions adopted by Kerakoll® GreenBuilding deliver considerable benefits for the environment, such as the reduction of CO2 emissions into the air, an ever-growing use of recycled and locally-sourced raw materials, a reduction in the energy needed for the building to function, and the creation of low-emission buildings that respect the surrounding environment and air quality.

The health advantagesThe health advantages for people living inside the buildings are the consequence of environmentally sustainable design and the quality of Kerakoll® materials:• they improve the air in confined environments• they curb illnesses caused by Sick building syndrome (SBS)• they prevent the proliferation of moulds, fungi, and bacteria• they ensure the health of the home environments• they increase comfort and quality of life.

The economic advantagesKerakoll® GreenBuilding also increases the value of the building over time in terms of compulsory energy certifications, and begins to deliver up to 40% in economic benefits immediately compared to a traditionally-designed building. Economic savings are especially noticeable in, heating and cooling costs, and building maintenance and management costs.

The most current information on domestic pollution is clear: the quality of indoor air in homes can be from 2 to 5 times worse than outside.The indoor microclimate, along with chemical pollution, has a significant impact on the quality of the environments in which we live, and consequently on our wellbeing.

Those who select an unfinished solid wood floor want every element in the floor to be unique, different from the others, in other words as natural as possible. Colour, grain, shading, feel, are never the same and even the protective surface finish must retain all these sensations.

Old-fashioned, solvent-based varnishes may sometimes guarantee mechanical performance and protection of the wood, but their chemical nature means that they flatten it, make it more uniform, vitrify it, take away the pleasure of touching the floor, decrease its aesthetic value, but above all impregnate the wood and release large amounts of volatile organic compounds that worsen the air quality within the rooms. This means they can transform wood from a natural, eco-friendly material into a source of pollution that may endanger the health of both those applying the product and users. During recent years, the European Community itself has placed restrictions on the use of solvents varnishes, with the aim of safeguarding health, the environment and improving the quality of indoor air.

These problems are associated more and more frequently with cases of allergic sensitization in users.These problems may affect people, causing various allergies and

“WE ARE ImPROVING OUR WELLBEING BY

KEEPING BUILDINGS FREE OF SUBSTANCES

THAT ARE HARmFUL TO HEALTH”

irritations even on parts of the body that are not in direct contact, and sometimes causing severe and persistent damage to the breathing system, as has been demonstrated by clinical trials carried out in various specialist hospitals.

Kerakoll® GreenBuilding limits the occurrence of diseases that can be traced to poor building construction: selecting non-toxic, water-based varnishes for hardwood floors such as Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX guarantees greater safety for the user and more healthy rooms that ensure better indoor air quality, benefiting the health of consumers.

75 million Europeans suffer from Sick

building syndrome (SBS)

The Kerakoll® medical and scientific sector is constantly researching solutions for the need to live in healthy buildings which are kind on the environment; these studies are based on leading research in the biomedical, epidemiological, pulmonary, materials technology, indoor pollutant and environmental impact fields in order to develop innovative solutions for sustainable living.

OUR AIm IS

TO ImPROVE THE qUALITY OF INDOOR AIR

WATEr-BASEdThanks to the unique performance levels guaranteed by its exclusive HP technology, Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX equals and exceeds traditional solvent-based varnishes in terms of protection and resistance to abrasion, while eliminating 90% of dangerous, pollutant solvents and replacing them with the most natural of all solvents: water.

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX is over 40% lower than the solvent content limit allowed under law and considerably increases the level of health protection for application professionals.

rEducEd SOlvEnT cOnTEnT

SOLVENT-BASED VARNISH Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX

With high toxic/harmful emission levels

Very low toxic/harmful emission levels

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPXCertified, eco-friendly, water-based varnish for high-resistance treatment of hardwood floors.

The use of safe substances and raw materials reduces the emission of volatile organic compounds, thus guaranteeing better indoor air quality and greater comfort and wellbeing within the buildings.

vErY lOW vOc EMISSIOnS

OUR AIm IS

TO ImPROVE THE qUALITY OF INDOOR AIR

SOlvEnTS: WHY THEY ArE HArMFul

The term “solvent” is used to describe any substance capable of dissolving another to obtain a solution. Solvents represent a large group of compounds used professionally, above all for their ability to render film-forming polymer compounds less viscous (and thus facilitating their application) or to dissolve the resins and oils to which they are added; these compounds are normally so-called organic molecules. Their danger derives from the fact that they do not remain in this state in the finished product (polymer, adhesive layer, surface film, etc.), but evaporate more or less quickly, thus contributing to pollution of the environment even after they have been used.There are various solvents with different biochemical and chemical/physical characteristics, and the speed at which the molecule evaporates is one of the main features used to assess their toxicity. Solvents thus produce large amounts of VOC (volatile organic compounds) which cause pollution of the air inside buildings.Solvents are mainly absorbed through the breathing system (inhalation of airborne solvents) and, usually to a lesser degree, through the skin. use of solvent-free materials or those with a very low solvent content is essential to restrict exposure to toxic vOc, improve indoor air quality and protect our health.

Main health risk symbols found on the packaging of materials that contain solvents:

Table of the main solvent substances:

- AROmATIC HYDROCARBONS (benzene, toluene, xilene, styrene, cumene)

- ALCOHOLS (methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobutyl)

- ALIPHATIC AND ALICYCLIC HYDROCARBONS (petroleum, petrol, solvent naphtha)

- ALDEHYDES (acetaldehyde, glutaraldehyde)

- HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONSa) bromine substituted (methyl bromide)b) iodine substituted (iodoform and methyl iodide)c) fluorine substituted (fluoroalkane or freon and

fluoroalkene)d) chlorinates (Aliphatic: methyl and ethyl

chloride, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, monochloroethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethane and tetrachloroethane, monochloroethylene, dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene. Aromatic: monochlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene)

- KETONES (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, methylcyclohexanone)

- GLYCOLS AND DERIVATIVES (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, methyl cellosolve, dioxane)

- ETHERS (ethyl ether)

T

Toxic

F

Highly flammable

Xn

Harmful

Our products are the result of real needs identified in the market. These needs are what inspires our business, and we work to provide effective, reliable solutions to them.

In 2000 the HP-High Protection Project began, and Kerakoll® put an unprecedented team of researchers, engineers and specialist technicians into the field. The aim was to develop a unique line of water-based varnishes that associates absolutely eco-friendly performance in terms of health and indoor air quality with exceptional levels of hardwood floor protection and aesthetic finish. In 2004, the results of this considerable investment in terms of research and selection of innovative raw materials, analysis of the behaviour of organic compounds on the release of toxic and harmful gases and strict site testing, Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX was born.

Kerakoll® water-based varnishes for hardwood floors open up new vistas in the improvement of indoor air quality.• The development of Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX has introduced

new raw material selection parameters for varnishing products to guarantee the reduction of volatile organic compounds and the absence of toxic substances, and ensure better quality indoor air.

• The Eurofins Research Centre has classified and certified Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX as having very low VOC emissions, guaranteeing the lowest emission levels for products of this category.

• The technology of Kerakoll® Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX water-based varnish has confirmed its excellent technical characteristics and performance, guaranteeing maximum respect for the health of users and the wellbeing of those occupying the buildings.

FROm THE NEEDS

OF PEOPLE TO RESEARCH

AND DEVELOPmENT

How does it work?The revolutionary HP-High Protection technology is the only one that generates an innovative combination of wood and the film of varnish, arranging the polymer so that the strongest part is on the surface and the part most similar to the wood is deeper down.

The thin film of Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX creates a double protective layer that guarantees higher resistance to scratching and wear on the surface and perfect adhesion to the wood at depth.

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX water-based varnish uses ultra-pure, strong and elastic resins that give superior transparency and the ability to follow the micro movements of the wood fibres to guarantee lasting and aesthetically-perfect protection.

Certified, eco-friendly, water-based varnish for high-resistance treatment of hardwood floors. Two-component, with a low solvent content and very low volatile organic compound emissions.

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX4

®

eco

HIGH PROTECTION

HPTECHNOLOGY

Advantages Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX is the first two-component, water-based varnish with HP technology for the natural treatment with high levels of protection and resistance to wear and abrasion of any type of hardwood floor, both for residential and commercial use.Enhances the natural colour of the wood. Certified as having very low volatile organic compound emissions and low solvent content. It is possible to choose among four different levels of shine: Glossy, Satin, Opaque and Extra-Opaque, and between two different tactile finishes: Classic Effect, Silk Effect.

• Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX guarantees total, long-lasting protection.

• Water-based Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX respects the natural qualities of wood.

• Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX does not contain toxic substances that might harm the health of the application professional and the end user.

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX with GreenBuilding rating® EcO mark

4

®

eco

HIGH PROTECTION

HPTECHNOLOGY

The GreenBuilding rating® mark guarantees the reputation of Kerakoll® products.The GreenBuilding rating® provides a credible link between manufacturing and responsible consumption of green building materials, and allows consumers, companies, and designers to select and purchase products with measurable and verifiable environmental sustainability marks.Choosing and buying truly environmentally friendly products in a responsible fashion isn’t easy, because product marketing can often be a source of confusion.The GreenBuilding rating® makes it easy to make the right choice when purchasing “green” building products.

For this reason, when buying for a project, you should always check that the individual products are GreenBuilding rating® certified.

IAQ VOCGEv certificate - Ec 1 with extra low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions ensures better air quality.

WATEr-BASEDDesigned to use the simplest and most natural solvent: water.reduces risks and facilitates safer on-site use.

90% LESS SOLVENTIt contains 90% less solvent compared to traditional varnishes. It safeguards the air, the environment and the health of users.

nOn-TOXIcIt guarantees more protection of the health and wellbeing of installers and the inhabitants of the building.

GrEEnBuIldInG rATInG® OF Slc® EcO AQuA-Pur HPX

IAQVOCIndoor Air Qualit

y

Low Emission

Water Based

Solvent ≤ 80 g/kg

SLVREDUCED

Low Ecological Im

pact

Health Care

Very low VOC emissions

Water-based formulation

Reduced solvent content70 g/kg

Non-toxic and non-hazardous

RATING SYSTEm ACCREDITED BY CERTIFICATION BODY SGS

The GreenBuilding Rating® guarantees that consumers, builders and designers can select and buy products with a measured, verifiable eco-friendly mark

SLC® ECO AqUA-PUR HPX THE

WATER-BASED VARNISH THAT TAKES

CARE OF YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORS

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX is designed to guarantee the best possible quality both during application and in health and environmental terms.

• Ideal for wooden floors made from all types of wood• Suitable for floors subject to extreme foot traffic• Water-based, it does not release unpleasant odours• Ideal for surface buffing and renovating• It guarantees ultra-high protection, respecting and enhancing

the natural beauty of wood• Easy to apply, for technically and aesthetically-perfect

finishes

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPX is a TOTAl GrEEnBuIldInG SOluTIOn option, which includes preparation products for laying substrates, adhesives, varnishes, protective products, detergents for all hardwood flooring needs and types.

SOlId HArdWOOd FlOOr lAYInG SYSTEM WITH crEATIOn OF THE SuBSTrATE

Smoothing of the hardwood floorsRough levelling, smoothing and sanding to give a smooth, even surface.

Grouting of the hardwood floors with Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur FlexGrouting of the hardwood floors to fill in any joints between the various strips of wood and smooth any small surface irregularities.

Finishing and protection with

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPXApplication of two or three coats of protective finishing according to the effect required. Available in four levels of shine: extra-opaque, opaque, satin and glossy.

creation of the substrate using Keracem® Eco Creation of the rapid-drying mineral screed.

laying with Slc® Eco l34 Plus or

Slc® Eco l34 FlexHigh-performance bonding of hardwood floors and perfect balance between adhesive force and elasticity to absorb movements in the wood.

Kerakoll®

the Hardwood Floor laying specialist

KERAKOLL UK Ltd.Unit 4, The Croft, Buntsford Gate Business Park - Bromsgrove,

Worcestershire B60 4JE, United KingdomTel +44 01527 578000 Fax +44 01527 578170

e-mail: info@kerakoll.co.uk www.kerakoll.com

TOTAl GrEEnBuIldInG SOluTIOnEco-friendly, water-based hardwood floor laying and

finishing system, that improves the quality of indoor air

Keracem® EcoEco-friendly, normal-setting, rapid-drying hydraulic mineral binder for screeds and heat-radiant slabs.

Slc® Eco l34 PlusTwo-component, eco-friendly, high-elasticity, organic, mineral adhesive for the high-performance laying of hardwood floors.

Slc® Eco l34 FlexSingle-component, certified, eco-friendly, elastic, organic, mineral adhesive for the high-performance laying of hardwood floors.

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur FlexEco-friendly, single-component, water-based gel to grout hardwood floors, with reduced solvent content.

Slc® Eco Aqua-Pur HPXCertified, eco-friendly, water-based varnish to treat hardwood floors. Two-component, with a low solvent content and very low volatile organic compound emissions.

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