for Formica® high pressure laminates (HPL) and worktops
The Products
This environmental declaration contains information relating to Formica high pressure laminates (HPL) meeting the requirements of EN 438-3, and fabricated worktops comprising Formica laminates bonded to chipboard.
Production Processes
Formica laminate sheet material consists of layers of paper impregnated with thermosetting resins, bonded together under conditions of heat and high pressure. The surface layer(s) on one side, having decorative colours or designs, are impregnated with melamine-based resins.
The core layers are impregnated with phenolic-based resins.
The formulation does not include asbestos, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorofluorocarbons, bromine or chlorine compounds.
Formica worktops are manufactured by gluing Formica laminate to 38mm thick chipboard, and forming one or two curved edges by heating and bending under controlled conditions. The paper and chipboard raw materials are derived from wood from renewable, sustainable forestry.
Applications
Formica products are used in long-life applications, such as kitchen worktops, tabletops, wall panels, cubicles, partitions, shelving, etc.
No gases or other substances are released in normal use, and the products are therefore suitable for food contact applications.
Formica laminates and worktops have a high calorific value (about 20 MJ/kg). Waste material and after-service-life components can be burned in approved incinerators, with good heat energy recovery.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
Life Cycle Analysis is the most accepted and widely used tool for analysing the environmental performance of products. The result of an LCA is an environmental profile. The following LCA was performed in accordance with the ISO 14040 series by the independent institute INTRON BV.
The Environmental Profile*
The life cycle of Formica laminates and worktops starts with the obtaining of raw materials and ends with the final incineration with heat recovery. Environmental data from all processes and materials are included. Data stems from 1996 production and reflects state-of-the-art laminate and worktop manufacture.
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