Product Life Cycle Assessment completed on Formica(R) brand laminates

CINCINNATI, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Formica Corporation, the North American division of the Formica Group of companies, has completed a product life cycle assessment on key products and their environmental impacts on energy, water, waste and greenhouse gases. The assessment was conducted by an independent, third-party carbon and sustainability consultant in accordance with international standard ISO 14040 series.  

"We're striving to continually develop strategies that enable us to move toward and achieve sustainability," said Chris Gray, vice president of marketing for Formica Corporation. "By assessing the environmental impacts of products throughout their full life cycles – from materials procurement to manufacturing processes to product delivery – we're able to manufacture products that contribute to our clients' green building objectives."

Formica Group continues to take steps to:

• significantly reduce energy use throughout the life of its products;
• reduce carbon emissions by developing renewable energy sources, waste-to-energy technologies and fuel-efficient freight activities;
• maintain and exceed GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Standards;
• work with suppliers to increase recycled and eco-friendly content in raw materials; and
• make mandatory the use of fibers from sustainable forests.

Gray added: "The ultimate goal is to develop products with greater potential for re-use and recycling that will have near-zero, or even net positive, environmental impacts. Completing a life cycle assessment of our core products moves us a step closer to realizing our sustainability initiatives."  

Formica Group has instituted design and manufacturing standards in support of conservation and green building, including contribution to credits within the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® rating systems. The company affirms its laminates contribute toward LEED® for Commercial Interiors MR 4 credit for LEED certification and contain both pre- and post-consumer recycled content. Formica® brand laminates also have been certified according to the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification Program for Low Emitting Products and can contribute toward IEQ credit 4.5.

About Formica Group

Founded in 1913, Formica Group is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative surfacing products for commercial and residential applications. For more information about Formica Group, its products, special programs and promotions, go to www.formica.com or call 1-800-FORMICA.

SOURCE Formica Corporation

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