When Nordic flooring installers refused to use cold welding products due to its composition of hazardous chemicals, BOLON understood the need for a healthier alternative to ensure the safety of flooring professionals.
Cold weld, what is it?
Cold welding is the process of fusing the two sides of a seam together by using a liquid substance called ‘cold weld’ or ‘chemical weld’. It is the most useful technique when requiring an invisible seam when sealing two floor coverings together.
Among most flooring installers, cold welding is considered a superior technique and the cold weld product an essential accessory to successfully seam seal PVC floor. A welded seam has much greater strength than one that is not welded and will prohibit any dirt accumulation in the seam.
Recently, the general view of cold welding has changed drastically with flooring installers refusing to use cold welding products due to its main ingredient; Tetrahydrofuran.
Tetrahydrofuran; a hazardous, flammable substance
One of the main ingredients in cold weld, tetrahydrofuran (THF) is a hazardous chemical that poses danger to humans, animals and the environment. It’s highly flammable and may lead to irritation of the eyes, sore throats and breathing problems. Recent studies have also found that exposure to Tetrahydrofuran can damage the central nervous system and impact negatively on the human brain.
This is an extremely serious issue, as many flooring installers come into daily contact with welding products and ultimately, the dangerous effects of Tetrahydrofuran. In early 2016, BOLON in coordination with another Swedish company, OHLA plast, initiated a conversation on how to address the problem. Would it be possible for BOLON, accompanied by OHLA plast, to come up with a healthy alternative that is not extremely flammable, nor posing any danger to people, animals or environments?
BOLON Green Weld – a truly unique and safe product on the market
In October 2017, BOLON and OHLA Plast launched the first ‘green’ welding product.
“We have received a very positive response so far. Most importantly, flooring installers no longer have to skip the welding process due to the hazardous substances the welding products contain. Aside from creating a healthy cold weld that is not flammable, the installation process is also more efficient”, says Torbjörn Klaesson, Supply Chain and Technical Officer at BOLON.
BOLON green weld is a natural step in BOLON’s efforts towards a future without environmental footprints. Flooring installers’ health is a top priority in all aspects of the installation process and we are proud to have launched a great alternative to dangerous cold-weld-products.
Explore BOLON’s Sustainability Concept
First published on bolon.se