Each issue, this section highlights sustainability-related information from a different GBI Supporter.

Bostik Adhesives and Sealants Minimize VOCs While Maintaining High Performance

In its efforts to commercialize products that minimize environmental impact and protect customer health, Bostik has developed a range of adhesives and sealants that contain little or no VOCs. 

An acronym for Volatile Organic Compounds, VOCs are found in a wide range of commercial, industrial and residential products, including solvents—which are an integral part of many adhesive and sealant formulations.  Among their negative effects, VOCs are implicated in the creation of ground-level ozone and smog, have the potential to significantly compromise indoor air quality, and may cause a range of health issues such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and damage to the central nervous system.

To minimize VOCs, Bostik focused on engineering products with the lowest solvent levels possible without compromising performance, an approach that challenged profitability but ultimately made its products better—not only by reducing their negative impacts, but by increasing the levels of solids.

Although a class of solvents does exist which is VOC exempt, the company chose not to pursue this route because, while these products do not contribute to ground-level ozone, they are thought to have associated health risks.