Company News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
02.06.2008

Green Solutions from Becker Acroma and ACCESSA Coatings Solutions


At Becker, our goal has long been leadership in products that have the least possible impact on the environment.  Our first waterborne coatings were introduced more than 50 years ago.  This green corporate culture has driven Becker Acroma to a leadership position in the evolution to products that have minimal impact on the environment throughout their life cycle.

That is why Becker Acroma is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, (USGBC) and the Canadian Green Building Council, (CaGBC).  Several of our products meet the requirements for LEED’s (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).  LEED® Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

ACCESSA Coatings Solutions, a distributor of Becker Acroma’s, has expressed interest in specifying and using products that are environmentally friendly, and/or meet specific environmental guidelines.  This is a confusing topic which includes various acronyms, specifications and test procedures.  The attached summary is designed to reduce this confusion and help ACCESSA customers understand the process to specify and use products that meet the LEED’s requirements.  We understand this as a shared responsibility and we intend to continue increasing our offering of sustainable solutions to industrial wood manufacturers.

Becker Acroma and ACCESSA are transforming the marketplace through leadership in solutions that increase productivity, improve health, and conserve the Earth’s resources.  We have momentum and we are making a difference.  If you would like to learn more on how Becker Acroma’s green solutions can benefit your organization, please contact your local ACCESSA representative (800-593-0126, www.ACCESSA.biz).

   In Making a Difference, Becker is in the LEED

LEED – Is an acronym for a project certification program entitled “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.”  The LEED system was developed by the United States Green Building Council (usgbc.org) with the goal of providing consistent, credible, and universally understood standards and practices for what constitutes a green building.  There are numerous LEED rating systems for Homes, New Construction, Existing Buildings, Commercial Interiors, Schools, Retail, Core and Shell, Healthcare, and Neighborhood Development.  Each of these systems has unique rating categories (such as water, energy and material usage) and points are awarded for specific measured performance under each category.  Depending on total points given to the project, various levels of LEED certification (basic, silver, gold, or platinum) can be awarded.

It is important to note that products cannot be certified under the LEED program, but Becker Acroma products can contribute to points under the rating system in two specific areas:

1. Maintenance and Resources – Specific to on-site applied “low-emitting materials”

The specific requirements for on-site applied coatings varies by category, but for New Construction and Major Renovations, Becker Acroma has the following products which will give the project LEED points, Akva Line Clears (212, 215, and 318), Laqva Prime LV, Aqua Chroma Spray Stains, Aqualux Wipe Stains, and Aqualux Neutral.  In addition, Becker Acroma has developed new LEED point compliant solvent-based precat and postcat topcoats which are in final testing, and Akvatopp white is being revised to allow for LEED points.

 2. Indoor Air Quality – Specific to low emitting furniture.  Products can be certified under specific testing processes which can then be used to achieve LEED points.  Certification under these programs can also be used to market products as “Green” or “Environmentally Responsible” independent from the USGBC LEED program.

Under Indoor Air Quality, certification testing for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including Formaldehyde and other Aldehyde emissions is conducted.  The LEED system currently recognizes 3 protocols under LEED C1 EQ 4.5 to test for indoor air quality:

    1. GreenGuard – A certification program covering a variety of building products.
    2. A procedure with weak sample acquisition, packaging, and shipping information.
    3. ANSI/BIFMA M7.1-2007 – A standard test method for determining VOC emissions from Office Furniture Systems, Components and Seating.  While this standard is specific to office furniture, the USGBC has determined that GreenGuard (Option A) and BIFMA (Option C) are technically equivalent when used with a qualified third party to demonstrate compliance with the requirements for LEED-C1 EQ.  This ruling opens up testing to multiple qualified laboratories throughout North America.

Becker Acroma has conducted preliminary testing on various products for certification to achieve LEEDs points under the Indoor Air Quality category.  It is important to understand that an entire workstation or chair is tested for emissions.  As such, glues, fabrics, hardboard, MDF, etc. all can contribute to the VOC emissions and the overall pass/fail rating.  It is not just the wood finishes.

Initial testing indicates that Aqualight Clear, Laqva Prime White, Akvatopp White, Akvaline Clears 212, 215, and 318, Hydra Glaze, Aqua Chroma Spray and Wiping stain bases, and our Italian Polyurethane Line of products will all allow for LEEDs points under the Indoor Air Quality Section.  Final testing is underway.