Sustainable flooring

Sustainable and environmentally friendly flooring installation

The environment is one of the most important issues facing the construction industry. LEED & BREEAM certification aims to produce sustainable buildings and improve the safety of products to create a healthy work environment. If you want to improve your carbon footprint, UZIN can support you and provides a number of helpful tips below.

As a responsible manufacturer, UZIN is doing everything possible to improve climate protection for future generations and we have developed and embraced sustainable initiatives throughout our business. See below for details or find the UZIN UTZ Group's sustainability policy and report here.

A history of sustainability

SAFE & LOW-EMISSION PRODUCTS

Most UZIN products are solvent-free, low in emissions and awarded EMICODE EC1 PLUS^® certification, making them safer and healthier for you and your clients. They are also more environmentally friendly because they release no damaging pollutants or impurities.

Products with EMICODE EC1 PLUS^® certification are solvent-free, very low emission and guarantee excellent indoor air quality as well as providing the most ecological approach for flooring installations. Such products are also ideal for LEED & BREEAM certification. UZIN also have several products which have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which are suitable for clients which require a SKA rating or require products to meet ISO 14025.

For more information about EMICODE EC1^® certification click here

RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURING

Some UZIN products are manufactured at our CO2 neutral factory in the Netherlands. The energy efficient facility is one of the most sustainable factories in Europe, receiving a “score” of 8.66 from GPR Gebouw, a Dutch Green Building Rating.

The sedum roof insulates, improves biodiversity and diffuses carbon dioxide whilst releasing oxygen. The heating is generated by a combination of pellet and geothermal heating, rainwater is used for flushing toilets and the air, light and temperature are sensor controlled. Together with numerous other initiatives, the premises embody the latest sustainable technology and helps offset the environmental impact of manufacturing.

Cube It Simple Recyclable Packaging

UZIN is focused on innovating new environmental solutions and have innovated the Cube It Simple recyclable packaging. As well as the UZIN L3 Gold range of products, the packaging is now available for UZIN PE 260 & UZIN PE 360 PLUS primers. The new packaging means:

77% less CO₂– The cube packaging allows much more efficient method of transporting as more weight and units can be put on a pallet. Transportation is therefore reduced and less CO₂ discharged.

85% less waste – Only the liner is made from plastic, which can be returned and disposed off. The box is made from recycled cardboard which can be recycled. This also saves floor contractors the hassle of disposing large amounts of plastic containers.

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TIPS FOR FLOORING CONTRACTORS

CHOOSE PRODUCTS WHICH PRODUCE LESS CO2

Use UZIN products with the ECO₂ CHOICE logo. UZIN has increased the proportion of raw materials from bio-based origins in some of its products without altering the quality. The combination of renewable resources and fossil fuels, compared to fossil fuels alone, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Your CO₂ footprint would therefore be lower than if you were to use similar products.

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USE GYPSUM BASED SMOOTHING COMPOUNDS

Gypsum smoothing compounds have a naturally better carbon footprint compared to cementitious smoothing compounds, as the gypsum binder creates less CO₂ when produced. Reducing the carbon footprint of cementitious smoothing compounds without affecting the technical performance is also a significant challenge. If possible, use a gypsum smoothing compound rather than a cement-based smoothing compound.

CHOOSE PRODUCTS WITH RECYCLED PACKAGING

Cardboard packaging is an alternative to plastic bottles and is considerably better for the environment. Cube It Simple boxes are made from recycled cardboard and are recyclable. A box saves 85% less plastic waste than a plastic bottle, as only the inner liner and cap are plastic. It also saves 77% less CO₂because more weight and units are on a pallet. As a result, transportation is reduced, and less CO₂ is discharged.

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USE SOLVENT-FREE PRODUCTS

Solvent-based products pollute the air with volatile organic compounds and can harm the user unless suitable PPE (personal protective equipment) is worn. Products with EMICODE EC1 Plus® are solvent-free, very low emission, and guarantee excellent indoor air quality. They also provide the highest possible protection against emissions. However, solvent adhesives are still often used to install skirting. A safer and easier method to install skirting, capping and coving is with UZIN Remur tape, which provides a durable bond, preventing shrinkage and gapping.

INSTALL PVC-FREE FLOOR COVERINGS

Making PVC through a chemical reaction between chlorine, carbon, and ethylene releases harmful chemicals and environmental pollutants. PVC-free flooring is, therefore, better for the environment, and many manufacturers include recycled materials within their PVC-free floors. UZIN KE 2000 S pressure sensitive adhesive can be used to install PVC-free floors.

INSTALL UNDERFLOOR HEATING

The proportion of underfloor heating systems used in flooring installations has risen sharply. Buildings can be heated without gas when underfloor heating is combined with solar panels and air-source heat pumps. It helps reduce CO₂ emissions and saves energy. UZIN works closely with various manufacturers of underfloor heating systems and offers tailored product systems.

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