Linoleum is made from all natural materials.
As
long as the sun shines, and the rain falls, Linoleum can be produced.
Life-cycle assessment scores, show exceptional performance for Linoleum and
it is nature that provides the great start by providing renewable raw
materials.
To
produce Linoleum oxidized linseed oil (or a combination of oxidized linseed
oil and tall oil) and rosin are mixed with the other raw materials to form
linoleum granules, which are pressed onto a jute backing, making Linoleum
sheets. These are then hung in drying rooms to allow them to cure and to
acquire the required flexibility and resilience. To achieve maximum waste
reduction all linoleum remnants are recycled back into the production
process. All manufacturing takes place in accordance with ISO 14001
standards.
The
natural raw materials used to create Linoleum are available in abundance:
Linseed oil
Linseed oil, the most important raw material used to make linoleum, is
obtained by pressing the seeds of the flax plant. In the past linseed oil
was used as cooking oil, as well as for lighting. Tall oil, a recycled
post-industrial by-product of the Kraft paper industry, is a resin based
fatty acid. In combination with linseed oil, it optimizes the oxidation
process in the production of linoleum.
Rosin
Rosin,
the binding agent in Linoleum and Artoleum, is tapped from pine trees,
without affecting growth. Together with linseed oil, rosin gives Linoleum
and Artoleum its strength and flexibility.
Wood
flour
Wood
flour is used to bind the pigments and to ensure colorfastness. Linoleum and
Artoleum thus keep their beautiful, vibrant colors throughout their
lifespan. Another reason for using wood flour is that it helps to optimize a
smooth surface. We have chosen not to use tropical hardwood flour but wood
flour made from timber grown in controlled European forests, where every
tree felled is replaced.
Cork
flour
Cork flour is made by grinding the bark of the cork oak, which is
grown around the Mediterranean. The bark is peeled every seven to ten years
without affecting the tree's growth. Cork flour is used as a raw material in
two of our products: Bulletin Board and Corklinoleum.
Limestone
Limestone is found all over the world in enormous quantities. Very finely
ground, it is a valuable ingredient of Linoleum and Artoleum.
Pigments
The
most beautiful colors are created by using ecologically responsible pigments
that do not contain heavy metals such as lead and cadmium.
Jute
From
the wide variety of materials available for making the floor covering's
backing we prefer natural jute. The yarn for the webbing is spun from jute
grown in India and Bangladesh. This also makes vital economic contributions
to these developing countries.
These raw materials
are harvested or extracted with relatively little energy consumption. The
main energy resource for the process is the sun. The plants and trees that
supply linoleum's raw materials also contribute to the production of oxygen
and the subsequent reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus
reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses present in the atmosphere.
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