Editor’s note: This is the second of a four-part series highlighting 15 take-away points from the second Dollars & Sense of Going Green Conference, held Nov. 19-20 in Schaumburg, IL.
The program was organized by Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and Wood & Wood Products, and sponsored by Banks Hardwoods Inc. and the Wood Education and Resource Center.
Online Publication Schedule
Session I: What Does it Mean to Be Green? Monday, Nov. 23
Session II: Green Products for Green Woodworking, Tuesday, Nov. 24
Session III: Forest and Wood Certification Update, Tuesday, Dec. 1
Session IV: Green Horizons, Thursday, Dec. 3
Click here to view Green Conference Tabletop Exhibitors
SESSION II: Green Products for Wood Products Manufacturing
Moderated by Helen Kuhl, Editorial Director, Wood & Wood Products and Custom Woodworking Business
CARB Update
Presented by Kip Howlett, President, Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Assn.
* The wood-based panel formaldehyde rule adopted by the California Air Resources Board has 28 distinct deadlines and is constantly changing. The wood products industry has to keep alert.
* The previous week, CARB extended the sell-through period deadlines non-compliant panels and products until Dec. 31.
* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is looking to adopt CARB’s formaldehyde standard as the basis for a national standard. Howlett opined that only a federal formaldehyde rule can level the national playing field with imported wood products.
Evaluation of Adhesives for Green Manufacturing
Presented by Kent Pitcher, President, CP Adhesives Inc., representing Spectrum Adhesives
* When choosing the right adhesive for an application, cost is a factor, but woodworkers also need to consider ease of modification, water resistance, mixing requirement and shelf life.
* Furthermore, production considerations include: spreading and application difficulty, assembly time limitations, cure times, bleed through problems and clean up.
* In spite of its bad rap, urea formaldehyde remains the best alternative for many woodworking applications.
What is a Green Coating?
Presented by Tim Woolery, Vice President Marketing and Products Development, Gemini Group
* Water-based coatings are one product category many wood finishers have adopted to meet EPA restrictions on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
* Others are using solvent-based coatings that demonstrate a measurable reduction in VOCs and HAPs to comply.
* In addition to EPA, wood finishers need to be aware of other regulatory and voluntary standards and bodies with a say on wood coating emissions, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Architectural and Industrial Maintenance, the Ozone Transport Commission, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and the South Coast Air Quality Management District in California).
Laminates for Green Manufacturing
Presented by Kenn Busch, Founder, Materials Intelligence
* Laminating encapsulates a panel greatly reducing formaldehyde emissions to nearly zero.
* This encapsulation, plus the fact that laminates are usually used with panels consisting of recovered wood fiber, adds to their “green story.”
* Laminated panels and components are more durable than “natural” wood materials.
Green Workforce Training
Presented by Ethan Rogers, Manager of Energy Efficiency & Sustainability, Technical Assistance Program at Purdue University
* Going green is like continuous improvement in that it is cultural and requires buy-in from employees.
* Training should emphasize practical ways to go green that are readily understandable.
* Green training should support a company’s strategy and should reach across the entire company to truly make a difference.
The program was organized by Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and Wood & Wood Products, and sponsored by Banks Hardwoods Inc. and the Wood Education and Resource Center.
Online Publication Schedule
Session I: What Does it Mean to Be Green? Monday, Nov. 23
Session II: Green Products for Green Woodworking, Tuesday, Nov. 24
Session III: Forest and Wood Certification Update, Tuesday, Dec. 1
Session IV: Green Horizons, Thursday, Dec. 3
Click here to view Green Conference Tabletop Exhibitors
SESSION II: Green Products for Wood Products Manufacturing
Moderated by Helen Kuhl, Editorial Director, Wood & Wood Products and Custom Woodworking Business
CARB Update
Presented by Kip Howlett, President, Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Assn.
* The wood-based panel formaldehyde rule adopted by the California Air Resources Board has 28 distinct deadlines and is constantly changing. The wood products industry has to keep alert.
* The previous week, CARB extended the sell-through period deadlines non-compliant panels and products until Dec. 31.
* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is looking to adopt CARB’s formaldehyde standard as the basis for a national standard. Howlett opined that only a federal formaldehyde rule can level the national playing field with imported wood products.
Evaluation of Adhesives for Green Manufacturing
Presented by Kent Pitcher, President, CP Adhesives Inc., representing Spectrum Adhesives
* When choosing the right adhesive for an application, cost is a factor, but woodworkers also need to consider ease of modification, water resistance, mixing requirement and shelf life.
* Furthermore, production considerations include: spreading and application difficulty, assembly time limitations, cure times, bleed through problems and clean up.
* In spite of its bad rap, urea formaldehyde remains the best alternative for many woodworking applications.
What is a Green Coating?
Presented by Tim Woolery, Vice President Marketing and Products Development, Gemini Group
* Water-based coatings are one product category many wood finishers have adopted to meet EPA restrictions on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
* Others are using solvent-based coatings that demonstrate a measurable reduction in VOCs and HAPs to comply.
* In addition to EPA, wood finishers need to be aware of other regulatory and voluntary standards and bodies with a say on wood coating emissions, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Architectural and Industrial Maintenance, the Ozone Transport Commission, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and the South Coast Air Quality Management District in California).
Laminates for Green Manufacturing
Presented by Kenn Busch, Founder, Materials Intelligence
* Laminating encapsulates a panel greatly reducing formaldehyde emissions to nearly zero.
* This encapsulation, plus the fact that laminates are usually used with panels consisting of recovered wood fiber, adds to their “green story.”
* Laminated panels and components are more durable than “natural” wood materials.
Green Workforce Training
Presented by Ethan Rogers, Manager of Energy Efficiency & Sustainability, Technical Assistance Program at Purdue University
* Going green is like continuous improvement in that it is cultural and requires buy-in from employees.
* Training should emphasize practical ways to go green that are readily understandable.
* Green training should support a company’s strategy and should reach across the entire company to truly make a difference.
Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.