Wilsonart Achieves Third-Party Certification for Laminate

TEMPLE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Through the use of materials from well-managed forests and recycled sources, Wilsonart offers High Pressure Laminate (HPL) products manufactured in the USA that provide a responsible solution for green building projects. Now the company’s key products have been certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), the global leader in third-party evaluation of environmental and sustainability claims.

“This recognition assures our customers that our environmental labels are authentic and have been verified by a third party”

Wilsonart enlisted SCS for certification services based on the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody standard (certification number SCS-COC-002415). FSC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Wilsonart is the first HPL manufacturer to earn FSC chain of custody certification, ensuring that products marked with the recognizable FSC "checkmark and tree" ecologo were sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Because the majority of the company’s laminate business lies in the commercial sector, Wilsonart understands the importance of working with customers to achieve their necessary LEED qualification requirements. “This certification can contribute to our customers' LEED Certified projects under MR Credit 7: Certified Wood and MR 4: Recycled Content,” said Rajesh Ramamurthy, Wilsonart’s Director of Sustainability.

Wilsonart can now provide FSC solutions for its customers who require it. Laminate applications include countertops and case goods (retail fixtures, cabinets, work surfaces, wainscoting, walls, doors, signage and partitions). “FSC certification allows Wilsonart® Laminate to compete with other FSC products such as wood/veneer and exotic wood species, along with the enhanced performance characteristics of laminate: durability, design flexibility and longevity,” said Ramamurthy. For more information on Wilsonart’s FSC solutions, contact your local Wilsonart representative.

RECYCLING IN ACTION

For over eight years, Wilsonart’s research and development team has been driving increased quality standards into the recycled paper industry, incorporating it into the company’s products without compromising quality or performance.

SCS has acknowledged the company’s efforts by certifying that Wilsonart Laminate is comprised of 20% post-consumer waste paper for its wood fiber content. “This recognition assures our customers that our environmental labels are authentic and have been verified by a third party,” said Ramamurthy.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Municipal Waste Data shows that 33.9% of total waste generated in the U.S. is comprised of paper – a staggering 251 million tons per year.

COMPANY-WIDE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

This independent recognition is the latest indication of the laminate leader’s ongoing sustainability focus. Under the direction of Ramamurthy, appointed last year as Director of Sustainability, Wilsonart has worked closely with all aspects of the company’s business, from maintenance and manufacturing to marketing, to identify and monitor sustainability programs, many of which were already in place, and to develop a plan for continuous improvement in incorporating all aspects in Wilsonart’s products and processes.

In addition, 21 Wilsonart employees from multiple disciplines have earned LEED-CI Accredited Professional status, working closely with the design and architecture communities to integrate the company’s laminate products through highly evolved technical knowledge of United States Green Building Council (USGBC) specification standards.

Wilsonart certification is posted on www.fsc.org and www.scscertified.com. For more information, call the Wilsonart Customer Service Hotline at 800-433-3222. Customers can also visit sustain.wilsonart.com.

Wilsonart International was founded in 1956 and has since grown to become the leading producer of High Pressure Decorative Laminate in North America. The company has achieved success through a combination of outstanding service, high-quality products and a focus on continuously redefining the laminate surface through improved performance and aesthetics. Wilsonart Flooring was introduced in 1995 and has continuously earned top honors for quality by floor covering retailers. All Wilsonart Flooring products are manufactured in the USA in Temple, Texas.

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing and standards development for more than 25 years. In addition to certification for the Forest Stewardship Council's Forest Management and Chain of Custody programs, SCS programs recognize accomplishments in agricultural production, food processing and handling, fisheries, flowers and plants, energy, green building, consumer and business products, and corporate social responsibility. www.SCScertified.com/forestry

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