Conventional resilient flooring are made from PVC based composition that has many environmental concerns according to many independent research institutes. The need for true eco-friendly flooring has lead to the development and application of PVC alternative materials. One of the most prominent polymer to replace PVC is Polypropylene. Polypropylene has many properties that make it ideal for making LVT and SPC with enhanced environmental sustainability while making more positive impact with its easy to recycle capability.
Here in this article, we explain how polypropylene LVT and SPC is an ideal choice as a true eco-friendly flooring.
Issues in Conventional PVC LVT and PVC SPC Flooring
Conventional PVC based LVT and SPC flooring has many substantial risks when it comes to environmental health risks, manufacturing, and recycling.
As much as leading flooring brands are claiming how toxic free, VoC free, and recyclable their PVC resilient floorings are, it is by far not true with their intended misinformations. It is very unfortunate that the resilient flooring industry had to grow and expand with much of the industry lies coming from leading brands.
Environmental Health Concern
The problem associating with PVC plastic is the chloride chemical that is in the PVC, hence it is called polyvinyl chloride. Excessive exposure to chloride can lead to hyperchloremia, which cause kidney failures and has potential affect to one’s ability to recover from injuries. This toxic is released when PVC based flooring are being burned or when it is degrading from ultraviolet degradation. Ultraviolet degradation can happen with old vinyl planks that has already been under extend years of sun exposures.
Manufacturing Concern
Many NGO are now urging that manufacturing of PVC and manufacturing of PVC products should be banned. This is because in the manufacturing of PVC and PVC products, workers and factory employees are also under serious exposure to PVC. This is especially true for flooring factories that does not have adequate ventilation system in the manufacturing site.
Product End of Life and Recycling
It is unfortunate that nearly all of the flooring brands and private label brands are marketing their PVC based flooring as 100% recyclable products. Yes, in theory, PVC are 100% recyclable, in fact the same can be said with any material compositions. The problem is, there are many technical problems and financial burdens around recycling plastics, especially when it comes to PVC. Unlike polypropylene or PET plastics that can be easily recycled mechanically, PVC plastic needs to be chemically treated before they can be reused effectively in manufacturing. This means more chloride chemicals are being added, and large amount of electricity (energy) are inputted to recycle PVC.
Different PVC Free Resilient Flooring Roadmap Development
In the Domotex observation report by Sreelance, the development for PVC free compositions are heading in two directions, one focusing on the application of polypropylene and the other focus on the polyethylene terephthalate polymer. Both type of plastic are mechanically sound when it comes to manufacturing of PVC-free resilient flooring, and global leading players are following different product roadmap developments.
Why Polypropylene LVT and Polypropylene SPC?
Here at Hengdi Floor China, we focus on the development of polypropylene LVT and polypropylene SPC. Polypropylene polymer has a better mechanical performance even in higher temperatures, which when applied in resilient flooring planks provide an improved quality and performances.
Advantages of Polypropylene Composition
- Higher heat resistance leading to better dimensional stability
- True toxic free with no chloride nor dioxin
- True 100% recyclable with mechanical methods
- More chemical resistance to solvents and corrosives
- Burns with difficulty and only produces relatively harmless (white) smoke
- Considered more environmentally friendly
Applications of True Eco-Friendly Flooring
- Green Building Construction Projects
- Public Spaces requiring toxic free flooring
- Comply with Red List Free Flooring
Polypropylene LVT and Polypropylene is a true eco-friendly flooring as they are truely 100% recyclable and can comply with red list free criterias. Being a food grade polymer, polypropylene based resilient flooring can effectively contribute to the bettering of environmental sustainability and circular economy.
Where to Procure and Import Polypropylene Resilient Flooring
Currently leading suppliers in polypropylene resilient flooring products are still only available in Chinese based manufacturers as well as Taiwan. Taiwan being the leader in PVC free polymer applications while China based manufacturers, with its highly concentrated industry cluster, has comparative advantage in manufacturing costs and prices. Hengdi Floor China is among the resilient flooring manufacturers that provide polypropylene based resilient flooring manufacturing. Our PP-LVT and PP-SPC has excellent quality and performance, most suitable for flooring distributors and flooring brands that need its own PVC free flooring collections.