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 The use of wood powder coating is environmentally friendly,
providing the ABC’s of a healthy lifestyle. The powder coating
process and finished coating has no VOC’s or HAP’s (hazardous
air pollutants). Users of wood powder coated products can
benefit by offering green conscious consumers a product that
meets their needs to provide a healthy environment.
Wood powder coating provides new meaning to the phrase “making
green bucks.” Using powder-coated wood can help make money in
two different ways:
• There may be state and/or federal financial incentives for
complying with the 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.
• Offering green and environmentally friendly products appeals
to the growing consumer base
of green-conscious buyers.
No VOC’s
Wood powder coating offers many healthy benefits when compared
with liquid paint, laminate, melamine, and thermofoil
surfaces. Powder coated wood has no VOC’s (volatile organic
compounds)
 that can negatively impact a healthy interior
environment. VOC’s found around the house in products such as
paint, solvents, and wood preservatives, contribute to “sick
building syndrome” because of their high vapor pressure. The
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) studies have found concentrations of
VOCs in indoor air quality to be two to five times greater
than in outdoor air, during certain activities indoor levels
of VOC’s may reach 1,000 times that of the outside air. Powder
coated wood is free of dangerous chemicals even to the point
that the raw powder can be disposed of in landfills without
the need for any permits or concerns. At our BTD plant, we
reclaim and reuse our powder since our automatic spray
application system has a reclaim system.
High levels of VOC Exposure in indoor air can cause numerous
problems and will vary widely depending on:
• The volume of air in the room/building;
• The rate at which the VOC is off-gassed;
• The building ventilation rate;
• Outdoor concentrations; and,
• Time spent in the effected environment.
 No HAP’s
There are no HAP’s involved in the powder coating of wood
manufacturing process, unlike liquid finishing, which can
contaminate the outdoor air quality and ozone levels.
Go Green and Live Healthy withth Wood Powder Coatatingng
Custom shape, color and texture wall panels provide for a very
custom look and antimicrobial powders are great for a healthy
environment with no VO C’s and no added formaldehyde board.
Powders are custom formulated to match color, gloss, textures,
and performance specifications.
The application of the powder is not the only green and
environmentally friendly part of powder coated wood, since
recently MDF board has been reformulated to be environmentally
friendly. Recently MDF manufacturers like Sierra Pine carry
SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) certified for their
recovered and recycled fiber content. Sierra Pine’s PermaCore
brand has changed its resin from a urea-based formaldehyde to
a no formaldehyde added resin called MDI (methylene-diphenyl-diisocyanate).
According to Chris Leffel, vice president of Sierra Pine,
“This MDF qualifies for one LEED point credit. In addition,
this board meets California standards for CHPS (Certified
Collaborative for High Performing Schools).”
“Sierra Pine is also FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
certified for sustainable management of forest land while
using residuals from saw mill operations as being FSC which
also is a positive in the effort for LEED points.”
Antimicrobial Powders
DuPont offers an antimicrobial powder additive that will
prevent the spread of bacteria on the surface. This powder is
reputed to have a seven-plus year active life span and it is
effective in removing 99.9 percent of surface bacteria. This
powder can be added to almost every color imaginable.
Since this finish is seamless there are no crevices to hide
and foster bacteria, and extremely easy to keep clean. Another
benefit of this seamless finish is that it yields a more
upscale appearance and the custom shaped profile edges can be
configured to almost any shape imaginable.
Powder Coated Wood Addresses Green Building Sustainability
As stated earlier, wood powder coating meets the ABC’s of
governmental financial incentives of LEED building as
specified by the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council). The
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. LEED gives building owners and
operators the tools they need to have an immediate and
measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED
promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by
recognizing performance in five key areas of human and
environmental health: sustainable site development, water
savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor
environmental quality.
LEED provides a roadmap for measuring and documenting success
for every building type and phase of a building lifecycle.
Specific LEED programs include:
. New Commercial Construction and Major Renovation projects
. Existing Building Operations and Maintenance
. Commercial Interiors projects
. Core and Shell Development projects
. Homes
. Neighborhood Development
. Guidelines for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Building
Projects
. LEED for Schools
. LEED for Retail
USGBC is also developing LEED for Healthcare, and LEED for
Labs.
The LEED Rating System was created to transform the built
environment to sustainability by providing the building
industry with consistent, credible standards for what
constitutes a green building.
Powder Coated Wood Applications
This technology has a wide range of versatile applications,
many of which are just now being developed. It is expected
that over the next several years, powder coated wood may be
the preferred finish used in a wide range of applications.
Many of the photos in this article do not necessarily
represent wood powder coated materials but rather illustrates
possible applications. Listed below are a few of the market
niches and applications for using powder coated wood:
Construct ion an d Building Materials There are many product
uses that are well suited for the durability that wood powder
coating offers as compared to liquid paint, especially those
products that have the potential to experience extreme abuse.
Plus, the added benefit of using antimicrobial powders will
provide continual protection against bacteria. Interior
passage doors, wall panels are just a couple of great
examples.
Cabinetry
Powder coated wood can be an excellent product for cabinet
doors and drawer fronts. Wood powder coated components will
not delaminate or peel. In addition, because it is moisture
and stain resistant, this is a more durable finish than most
other options. It is available in a variety of colors and
stain finishes with a host of shapes and styles. In the
bathroom, laundry room, garage, commercial buildings, etc. the
moisture and stain resistance prove to be a great benefit.
Countertop Applications
Bathroom vanity tops and serving islands are also great uses
for this product. About the only application not recommended
would be for kitchen counter tops since it can be vulnerable
to knife cuts, although this problem exists with any type of
laminate finish.
Health Care Applications
Patient and waiting rooms in hospitals, doctor’s offices and
clinics, nursing homes and school nurse offices today are
finding the features of this product undeniable. This
Powdercoating offers High gloss, rich colors. Antimicrobial
powders can be used for health care, child care and a variety
of other applications. This a great product for many surfaces
in this environment, such as the above-mentioned cabinetry and
countertops, plus it works great with furniture, medical
cabinets, laboratory surfaces, cafeteria tables, medical
products, and a host of other applications limited only by the
imagination.
School and Institutional Applications
There are endless possibilities for this product in any market
ranging from desk tops, computer work stations, laboratory
tops, countertops, for upscale and color coordinated lockers
and doors, and many other custom designed applications to fit
each facility’s specific need. Plus custom branding with
school colors and logos can be designed.
Hospitality and Lodging Applications
Powder coated wood is great for table tops, bed headboards,
furniture, built-in cabinetry, bathroom surfaces and many
other applications. Office Furniture Applications Office
furniture manufacturer’s are now offering powder coated wood
components for desks and desk tops, computer work stations,
boardroom components, writing tables, swivel chair arms with
writing surfaces, office cube system components, cabinetry
door and drawer fronts and many other custom applications.
Store Fixtures an d Display Applications
designed for specific applications including cutouts for
wiring, custom foot prints to hold products, business card
holders, etc.
Furniture
Powder coated wood is an excellent fit for ready to assemble
furniture since there are no concerns with edge banding, there
is more flexibility to design furniture that does not require
hardware or nuts/bolts for assembly. With the ability to use
many fun and interesting shapes and colors this is a perfect
fit for children’s furniture creations, plus the antimicrobial
powders provide for a healthy surface and durable finish. In
addition, there are no health concerns with the powders used
in wood powder coating so it is very “kid friendly.” Wood
powder coating is also frequently used for TV and computer
stands, tables, plus bases for furniture. Powder coated wood
offers a great look, with sound durability, and is very green
friendly. Powder coated wood will help provide for a
healthier, greener lifestyle and the opportunity to make a lot
of green bucks.
The surface works great for computer mouse operation, so no
mouse pads are required. Elegant boardroom tables with unique
shapes and cut-outs. Unlimited choice in translucent stain
colors that offer beautiful wood tones.
Editors Note: Craig Martin is
President of BTD Wood Powder Coating, contract manufacturer
of powder coated wood components. For more information on
BTW Wood Powder Coating, please visit the company’s website
at
www.btdwoodpowdercoating.com or phone (218) 828-4144.
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