Overview:

Resilient vinyl floor covering with Polyurethane reinforcement and extremely low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. Available in non-directional decoration with duotone base chips and tonal highlight chips in sheet or tile. Suitable for interior residential and commercial applications.

Product Description:

Polyflor Prestige PUR resilient vinyl floor covering is a heavy duty homogeneous floor covering with polyurethane reinforcement (PUR) for use in heavy traffic areas. The use of PUR significantly reduces maintenance requirements which, according to the manufacturer, account for over 80% of the environmental impacts of resilient floor coverings.

The product contains up to 30% post-industrial recycled content and utilises the more eco-friendly barium zinc stabiliser as a replacement for the organotin stabilisers used in the past production of PVC flooring products. As Prestige PUR has a non-directional appearance installation waste can also be minimised as a result of there being no need for pattern matching.

A Life Cycle Analysis based environmental assessment by British Research Establishment (BRE) Certification Ltd has been conducted on this product. The Ecopoints generated by this assessment place the product in the top 25% of resilient flooring options based on its environmental performance. This level of Ecopoint performance meets ecospecifier’s PVC Flooring Standard requirements. See Glossary for further information on ecospecifier’s PVC Flooring Standard, BRE and Ecopoints.

Use of this product may contribute to the achievement of Green Star™ credit points. Subscribers please click here to view full enhanced content listing.

Country of Origin

Components are sourced from the United Kingdom. Product manufactured in Manchester, UK.

Ecospecifier Issues of Concern / Red Lights

This product contains a large percentage of PVC (~ 41%) which is based on a non-renewable fossil fuel petrochemical polymer (ethylene). However, PVC contains a reduced amount of ethylene (~ 46%) in comparison to other ethylene based materials. If the product were to be recycled (after usable life) this investment in resources would be partially off-set through reduced material use in the future.

The product is not reusable due to the need for adhesion to a subfloor. Additionally, large scale and widespread recycling services are currently not available for this product which limits disposal options to landfill or incineration. Incineration is not a preferred option due to the dioxins released during combustion.

Assessment Comparison

Hardboard Underlay, Adhesives & Sealants

Availability:

ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA

Other information:

Information last verified on 3.07.08.

Assessment Criteria Satisfied

ENERGY/GREENHOUSE

Low energy in production

HABITAT & LAND

Reduced terrestrial impact

RESOURCE DEPLETION & EFFICIENCY

Post-Industrial recycled content Extended Producer Responsibility scheme

HUMAN HEALTH

Low/reduced offgassing Reduced toxics or carcinogens

POLLUTION TO ENVIRONMENT

Reduced chemical toxicity through Life Cycle Low/no carcinogens through life-cycle

OTHER VITAL SIGNS

Independent LCA Independent Verification Doc Manuf Claim Environmental info about product Australian Standard Environmental policy Ecolabel MSDS ISO 14001

© ecospecifier 2008