b'Sustainable, eco-conscious productsEmphasis on earth-friendly technology benefits environmentThe overall goal surrounding the development of nearlymentally sound tile installation materials offers healthier all new products is fostering sustainability and health ofalternatives while also contributing to improved indoor planet and person. Sustainable, eco-conscious productsair quality and building wellness. This next generation of continue to be top of mind for manufacturers with newtile installation products is changing the way the industry product developments commonly being made from recy- approaches tile and stone installation.clable,sustainablematerialsandproductswithArthurMintie,SeniorTechnicalAdvisor, low VOCs. LATICRETE,added,Othersignificant AndwiththeriseofLEED,EPDs,advancements for green products the HPDs,andtheearth-conscious- industry has and will continue to nessofagrowingnumberofsee will be in regard to improv-A&Dprofessionalsandcli- ing speed, efficiency, cost-sav-ents, the use of green prod- ings and quality. uctsisbecomingmoreManymanufacturers importantthaneverhavefoundthatrecy-before.Manufacturersclingintheirproduction lookingtoprotecttheprocessesorutilizing eartharenowallinrecycledcomponents onthesustainabilitytranslatestogoodbusi-bandwagon,whichhasnesssense.Withthe becomemorelikeaproliferationofmore steam locomotive.Green Squared Certified There has been a con- tileandsettingmaterials, certed effort to change themanufacturerscanshow chem- themselves to be earth con-istriesscious, which is a favorable con-wehavesiderationwhenprojectscallfor reliedonforsuch high sustainability. yearsforhigh- Keeping in line with the ISO 9001:2015 performancetileinstal- CertifiedManagementSystemisimportantto lationproducts,observedCurtProgressProfiles,inallitsdesignandproductionpro-Rapp,FounderandCEOofThecesses. CEO Dennis Borden explained that the firm imple-Curt Rapp TileDoctor.Theaimistomakementsconstantqualitycontrolsonfinishedproducts, installation products more robust,uses only top-quality materials and complies fully with yet solve issues like reducing silica exposure and VOCs.the requirements of REACH and GREENTOP. Many of the Previous versions of these products ensured strong per- new products, for example, are realized with recycled/formance, but were accompanied by risks, including seri- regeneratedmaterialinordertohavetheminimum ous short- and long-term environmental impacts. Thereimpactofthequalityoftheproductitself,hesaid. is no longer a need to compromise, he added. ThroughFurther, in accordance with the companys green envi-innovative new formulations based on research at lead- ronmental policy, energy systems of the new headquar-ing universities in Italys tile-producing region, its nowters in Asolo are powered by solar energy from a roof-top possibletoachievethehighestpossibleperformancephotovoltaic plant that produces 800 kWh, covers over levelswithoutplacingtileinstallers,jobsitesandthe60% of annual energy needs and saves the emission of environmentatrisk.Theuseofsustainable,environ- 390 tons of CO 2a year.Louis Iannaco 722019|TECH'