Special Isocyanate-free lacquers

MANDATORY TRAINING IS ON THE WAY

FROM 24 AUGUST 2023, WORKERS MUST BE TRAINED ON HOW TO USE ISOCYANATE-FREE PRODUCTS SAFELY

Marie-Claude Conversy (Tover - I)

‘We were already the pioneer in isocyanate-free work ten years ago!’

The rules for working without isocyanates are getting stricter each year and the floor covering industry has no exemption from those rules. The Italian company Tover realised more than ten years ago that a change was needed and in 2012 was a pioneer in the sector with the launch of Bella, its first isocyanate-free two-component lacquer.

Marie-Claude Conversy, export manager, explains the policy of her company, which is specialised in wooden floor finish products: ‘In the industry we’re facing very strict European legislation. Isocyanates are the top target. In our field we now have to comply with Regulation 2020/1149, which stipulates that, from 23 August 2023 onwards, professionals who use products which contain a certain amount of isocyanates must be trained before they can use those products. Some countries, such as the Netherlands, go even further. The sale and use of products (such as paints) which contain isocyanates are prohibited for private people. This standard is expected to be introduced gradually in other European countries. With our formulations, we make products which are a step ahead of the stricter rules.’

‘The question is how to avoid using isocyanate with a parquet finish. To that end we offer a range of mono-component lacquers which can cope with very high traffic. Think of our Uniqua SQ. The next logical question is: Why do we still have two-component lacquers? The answer is that professionals prefer them because these two-component products are considered as more resistant to stains and have better adhesion. And so, it is difficult for professionals who prefer them for technical reasons to switch over. As manufacturers we have to convince them that there are alternatives which perform equally as well. We’ve already proved that in 2012 with our isocyanate-free two-component Bella lacquer.’

Scores of benefits

‘The benefits of two-component coatings such as Bella are now quite clear, now it’s been technically perfected over a period of ten years and has been tested by several clients. One huge benefit is that safety is guaranteed both for professional and private users. Moreover, component B has no hazard symbol on the label, so it is neither irritating nor corrosive and it contains no pollutant substances for the marine environment. It also has the EN 71 certificate, which guarantees the safety of children.’

‘Other benefits are that these products target a wide public which is aware of the problem of safety and environmental effects; the finish is applied in two coats without any primer (for resistance to high traffic and stains), so it saves a lot of time. Moreover, this lacquer is available in all possible aspects: glossy, matt, extra matt, and invisible, so it meets all demands in terms of aesthetic results.’

Even more visibility is needed

‘In Belgium we had a lot of success after the initial launch of the product at Domotex Hannover, followed by Publicity campaigns and a follow-up via our social media. We’re not surprised by this success in Belgium, since people there are well aware of the store ban in chain stores. Recently, we’ve decided to launch this highly innovative product again because the subject is increasingly under consideration and we’re convinced that public interest will increase and force professionals in some way or other to use it.’

‘The above also immediately raises the question as to what we plan to do in the (near) future. For instance, we’ve now added another product to our range, namely Natural Wood Oil. This is a water-based natural wood oil which is perfectly compatible with the isocyanate-free B-component. And so, it can be given a catalyst to increase its resistance. The big benefit is a super invisible and extra matt finish with a gloss degree below five! Moreover, the product is formulated with vegetable resins and therefore has only a minimal impact on the environment. In short, this is an outstanding solution which combines performance and respect for the planet.’

Bella natur

On 3 August 2020, in the context of REACH, the European Commission published a restriction for working with products which contain more than 0.1% free di-isocyanates monomers. What is particularly important to know is that professional and industrial employees who work with these products have to complete successful training on the safe use of di-isocyanates by 24 August 2023.

Obviously, the parquet industry cannot evade this restriction. Indeed, the rule literally states that there are no professional groups exempt from the training, which does not apply to consumers. They don’t need any training because they work only sporadically with these products. What we should also mention is that the gravity of the training is in proportion to the intensity of the use of products with di-isocyanates monomers in the aforementioned concentration; the more intensive the use, the greater the exposure, and the greater the gravity of the training.

Unwanted effects of exposure

The new measure is about a specific substance used in adhesives and mastics, i.e. polyurethane or PU. PU is used a lot in construction, packaging, industry, transport, and much more. PU products are created by a reaction of di-isocyanates and polyols and are consumed during the reaction. These di-isocyanates can have unwanted effects if used incorrectly. The new measure aims to reduce any risks of sensitisation in airways. Sensitisation means someone can become allergic to certain substance after exposure, whereby allergic reactions and breathing problems can occur after further contact. Legislators believe that training is the best solution to avoid those unwanted reactions. The fact is it is perfectly safe to use di-isocyanates containing PU products if the workers have the proper training.

Certificate

In the meantime, another element has come into effect: As of 24 February 2022, the labelling has to be adapted. From now on, the packaging must display the following words: ‘As of 24 August 2023, the professional and industrial use of this product requires appropriate training.’

We must also mention that employers themselves are responsible for ensuring that their employees do the training and obtain a certificate. Participants who finish the training and final test successfully receive a certificate that is valid for five years. After that, they must take a refresher training course.

Web site with a training programme

Two European chemical organisations have now designed a web site and have worked out a training programme for the safe use of di-isocyanates for industrial and professional users. ISOPA, the association of European producers of aromatic di-isocyanates and polyols, and ALIPA, the association of European producers of aliphatic isocyanates, presents the web site ‘safe use of di-isocyanates’ (https://www.safeusedi-isocyanates.eu), where industrial and professional users can register for a training course. On 1 November last year, the online training course in English started and that was followed on 1 December by a training course in German. This year, the course will also be launched in other languages, including Dutch and French.

The level of training depends on the risk of exposure. There are three levels of training: basic level, medium level, and the highest level. At the end of each course, participants are given a document for the training which they have received.

It’s worthwhile for professionals to view the following YouTube clip, where ISOPA and ALIPA aim to persuade users to register for the training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHHfn7jnvEg. Sources: VVVF, Feica, VLK, be-mastics.be, and ISOPA + ALIPA.

Photo – Tover