Titebond®GREENchoice™ Launch
Media Kit April, 2007
Franklin Introduces First Full Line of "Green" adhesives more>
Franklin Launches Green Building Web Site more>
Green Building Sponsorships more>
Green Building Q & A more>
More Than 60 Green Adhesives and Sealants more>
Franklin Fact Sheet more>
Photo of GREENchoice Product Family more>
Green Building Adhesives Q & A
What does “green building” mean?
In a general definition, green building is a worldwide movement to promote the use of environmentally friendly products and practices in de-construction, construction, remodeling and repair. The goal is to match materials and activities to building design to minimize the overall environmental impact.
What are VOCs? What makes a product VOC compliant?
VOC is an acronym for volatile organic compound. These compounds react with atmospheric ozone, along with particulate, to form smog. Smog is thought to be a major contributor to air pollution and health problems, such as asthma.
In 1991, the U.S. EPA passed the Clean Air Act with the specific intention of lowering smog levels. One way to do this is to reduce the amount of VOCs available for release into the air. Hence, parts of the country where smog is a greater problem have begun implementing regulations limiting the amount, or level, of VOC a product can contain. If a product’s VOC level is below the limit set forth in the regulations, then it is VOC-compliant.
What makes a product “green”?
Although the term “green” is subjective, most “green” products can be classified into one or more of the following categories:
Products made with salvaged, recycled or agricultural waste content
- Products that conserve natural resources
- Products that avoid toxic or other emissions
- Products that save energy or water
- Products that contribute to a safe, healthy built environment
How can I tell if a product is “green”?
One key way to see if a product is “green” is to note the VOC content. The lower the level of VOCs, the more environmentally friendly that product will be. Since solvents represent a large portion of the VOC category, it also means that the solvent level in the product will be lower, and the product likely is safer for the environment. The amount of recycled content in either the product or the packaging ultimately helps conserve the environment and adds to a product’s eco-friendliness.
What is a “green” adhesive?
Key criteria for defining an adhesive as “green” include formulas that are green because of what is not in them (such as hazardous air pollutants and ozone depletors); products that are green because they reduce the environmental impact of building operation (such as the energy efficiency gained from effective use of caulks and sealants); and products that contribute to a safe and healthy indoor environment (such as low VOCs or formaldehyde-free adhesives).
The following chart that can be used as a benchmark for green adhesives as set forth by CARB (California Air Resources Board) for consumer products (less than 16 oz.).
Product Category |
VOC % by weight |
VOC g/L |
Construction, Panel, & Floor Covering |
15% |
~200g/L |
Construction, Panel, & Floor Covering
(Cal. ONLY) |
7% |
~100g/L |
Caulks & Sealants |
4% |
~60g/L |
General Purpose Adhesives |
10% |
~120g/L |
Contact Cements (General Purpose)
- includes 1 gallon |
55% |
~600g/L |
Contact Cements (Special Purpose)
- includes 1 gallon |
80% |
~735g/L |
What are the benefits of going “green”? Why should I use “green” products?
Use of green products offers many benefits to the builders, remodelers and/or owners and residential dwellings or commercial buildings: improved air quality, less depletion of natural resources, energy savings, potential tax breaks and potentially fewer health problems.
What are the differences in “green” rating systems? (LEED, NAHB, Green Seal)?
Several Green Building programs have sprung up in the U.S., particularly on the local and state levels. However, currently three national programs appear to be the most popular: the U. S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Guidelines and the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes program.
LEED is a building rating system that requires the use of a consultant to help rate a building project for one of four levels of certification (Platinum, Gold, Silver or Certified). LEED offers programs in several areas of building, both commercial and residential. Rating systems and guidelines can be downloaded from www.usgbc.org.
The NAHB has also published a set of guidelines that builders, home building associations (HBAs) and project managers can use to apply green concepts to residential construction projects. The guidelines also work on a point-rated system (Gold, Silver and Bronze) and provide a voluntary and affordable option for the mainstream homebuilder. The NAHB’s Model Green Home Building Guidelines can be downloaded at www.nahb.org.
The Green Building Initiative (GBI), established by the NAHB, has adopted a popular Canadian Green Building program for commercial construction called Green Globes. This program is currently the only interactive web-based green building rating tool for conducting environmental assessments of a building project. It is gaining popularity in the residential arena as well. |