To earn LEED certification, the David L. Lawrence convention center in Pittsburgh specified environmentally sustainable carpet and adhesives.

The renowned $331 million, 1.5 million-square-foot David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified convention center. Of course, carpet and adhesives were a critical component in the design and construction. Designed by architectural firm Rafael Vi§oly, the project's mission required a floorcovering that was environmentally sustainable, as well as durable enough to withstand the construction phase and projected foot traffic of hundreds of thousands of conventioneers.

The first and only carpet face fiber to receive third-party certification as an Environmentally Preferable Product, Antron (Kennesaw, Ga.) nylon was the logical choice. Environmentally Preferable Product certification means Antron carpet face fiber has a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services as defined by Executive Order 13101.

The 38,000-square yards of Antron carpet used in the space was custom designed by Bentley Prince Street (Industry, Calif.) in tones of blue, gray, tan and rust. (The complete case study from Antron is available online at www.EDCmag.com).

Completed in September 2003, the energy-efficient and sustainably-designed David L. Lawrence Convention Center chose to use an adhesive that meets the criteria for the LEED Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.1 for low-emitting adhesives and sealants. The designers specified Bentley Prince Street's Healthbond 1000 multipurpose adhesive.

"The world's first green convention center is a valuable asset in the very competitive convention business. In all aspects of the project we sought green opportunities to meet our goal of LEED Gold, and especially those that would improve the experience of building users. Once the architect decided that carpet would best meet the style and comfort needs of the project, the team worked to select a carpet and adhesive that would support high quality indoor air. The Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label was our resource," says Gary Goodson, deputy director, Green Building Alliance.

When the Convention Center carpet reaches the end of its useful life, it will be reclaimed through the INVISTA Reclamation Program and recycled into new products ranging from new carpet to high-grade engineering resins.

adhesive options

MAPEI's Ultrabond ECO 711 high performance adhesive is solvent-free and contains BioBlock antimicrobial protection.

Environmentally-friendly flooring adhesives are not hard to find. For example, MAPEI's (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) Ultrabond ECO 711 high performance adhesive is a solvent-free product that contains BioBlock antimicrobial protection, which reduces the chances of mold and mildew growth. For several years MAPEI has been adding BioBlock antimicrobial protection to selected products in its ECO line to inhibit the growth of odor- and stain-causing mold and mildew; now the company is extending this antimicrobial protection to products in its Tile & Stone Installation Systems.

The W.W. Henry Co. (Aliquippa, Pa.), manufacturer of flooring adhesives used with resilient flooring, carpet and wood, has also introduced three new environmentally preferred flooring adhesives. The GreenLine family of products features ecologically advanced adhesives that have almost no discernible odor and ultra low emissions.

The Henry commitment to lower emission levels began last year with the introduction of Henry GL62 High-Performance Carpet Adhesive. Making a debut at this year's Surfaces show, were Henry GreenLine GL23 High-Performance Multipurpose Adhesive, GL33 High-Performance VCT Adhesive and GL83 High-Performance Linoleum Adhesive. Henry GreenLine GL23 High-Performance Multipurpose Adhesive, for example, is specifically formulated for the installation of commercial carpets and residential and commercial sheet flooring. It features up to 97 percent lower emissions than the Carpet and Rug Institute's indoor air quality criteria.

Synthetic Surfaces Inc. (Scotch Plains, N.J.) offers Nordot Adhesive #113D, an indoor flooring adhesive that fights mold and is volatile organic compounds (VOC)-compliant. It does not contain any toxic or flammable solvents.

Finally, The WF Taylor Co. (Fontana, Calif.) has launched Envirotec Adhesives that meet the qualifications of the CRI "Green Label" Program. Performance Plus Fast Tack Carpet Adhesive #2055, for example, provides quick grab with fast suction and holding power for the interior installation of all non-vinyl backed carpet in direct glue down and double stick installations, the company reports.

alternative to adhesives

Instead of using an adhesive, Milliken Carpet offers TractionBack, a high-friction coating applied to carpet backings that requires no installation adhesives.

Instead of using an adhesive, Milliken Carpet, Commercial Markets (LaGrange, Ga.), has developed a technology that allows modular carpet to be installed without the use of adhesives. TractionBack is a high-friction coating applied to carpet backings that eliminates the need for traditional wet glues or the newer "peel and stick" dry adhesives. The glue-free system is available on all Milliken modular carpets allowing for easy underfloor access without the inconvenience of messy adhesives and sticky residue.

The company also notes that indoor air quality may be improved by eliminating adhesives. Off-gassing and VOCs from carpets with TractionBack are non-detectable. The approach also removes the need to landfill polyethylene film used by peel and stick carpets. Milliken tested this technology in pilot programs including the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz., Lanett City Schools in Lanett, Ala., and Pfizer Inc. in Kalamazoo, Mich.