New A+ certification for Fitwall® decorative panels

19/05/2021

People have always been worried about breathing polluted air, but in recent years this worry has gradually increased, and there's now pressure on organisations and governments to regulate and legislate air quality.

We used to think you'd find the most harmful levels of pollution outside buildings - from the fumes generated by burning fossil fuels, either from vehicles or industry, etc. But in fact, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates, indoor pollution levels can be 10 to 100 times higher than the concentrations found outdoors. If you add the fact that we spend the majority of our time indoors - and often with sub-standard ventilation and air circulation - it poses a major problem.

 Fitwall® decorative panel

Indoor air contamination is generally caused by what's known as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which come from an endless number of everyday products we have indoors. Paints, varnish, carpets and aerosols are just some common examples that tend to generate this type of contamination. And it puts people's health at risk.

Fitwall® Doghe Roble Natura

The French government has put a procedure in place mandating tests on building materials and furniture (among other items) to determine the level of COVs generated. It involves placing the material in question into a chamber for 28 days, and carrying out periodic measurements of the amount of volatile organic compounds released.

The materials are classified as A+, A, B or C, depending on the emissions released

Quality and respect are at the forefront at Krion by PORCELANOSA Group. Respect for both the environment, and users' health, so the company has developed a new material for decorative panels along with its Fitwall® R&D team.

Fitwall® OZ Mediterranean

Fitwall® decorative panels are mineral composites made up of a high mineral load (ATH), modified acrylic resin containing recycled PET, fibreglass, and pigments, enamels or dyes that give the panels a realistic finish, all of which lend them technical properties such as resistance, flexibility and durability, along with flame retardant properties.

Krion Porcelanosa Group is committed to rational sustainability in the manufacture of its Fitwall® panels, harnessing its EPUPR technology (Eco Productive Use Recycled PET), and is a pioneer in the use of an exclusively formulated resin.

Fitwall® Palm Caribbean

Fitwall® decorative panels have been submitted to testing in an ISO 16000 accredited laboratory so it can be classified in line with the criteria of the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing. It concluded that Fitwall® complies with Class A+ requirements according to the following French classification:

Class A+ is the highest classification, certifying that Fitwall® decorative panels do not release any volatile organic compounds that pose a threat to people. This is a sustainable, durable and resistant solution for installation on walls, ceilings or furniture cladding in commercial and residential settings.