Podium Naturale - with new bio based plasticizer

Podium Naturale, part of the homogeneous PVC product family Estrad, now takes  significant steps to address the environmental issues with PVC products. Refined from pure vegetable oils, the new plasticizer used in the new Podium Naturale is completely phthalate- and DEHP free, contributing to better indoor air quality and safer environment. All colours of the Podium collection remain unaltered in the Podium Naturale collection.

BIO BASED PLASTICISER - FACTS:

Bio based plasticisers respond to growing consumer and legislative pressure for safe and sustainable alternatives to phthalates. A novel acetylated monoglyceride derived from hydrogenated castor oil, the plasticiser belongs to a class of natural oils and fats that are, for example, globally approved as direct food additives. In other industries, concerns over plasticisers relate to, for instance, medical devices, children's toys and other applications where consumers, in one way or another, are directly exposed to the plasticisers in PVC.

Due to its vegetable origin, our new plasticiser distinguishes itself from other plasticisers by offering the following advantages:

• Fully biodegradable
• Fully digestible, metabolising like vegetable oils.
• No negative influence on the environment, e.g. no indication of acute aquatic toxicity
• No sign of hormone-disrupting effects or mutagenic/chromosome aberration
• Based on sustainable, non-GM resources, grown and harvested under controlled conditions. Not part of human or animal food chain.
• Positive public image compared to traditional plasticisers such as phthalates

All new Upofloor products launched in 2010 are phthalate free.