For
more information, please contact: Cindy Hackmann or Chris Toebben,
888/235-4332, hackmannc@osborn-barr.com
or toebbenc@osborn-barr.com
Millions of people arrive at their workplaces every day and never give the safety of their buildings a second thought. According to Green Products, LLC., “Americans average 16 hours each day in man-made structures filled with artificial lighting, regurgitated conditioned air and the potential of being exposed to off-gassing of toxic substances.”
The soybean checkoff, United Soybean Board (USB) and Green Products, LLC, are working hand-in-hand to make the work environment a healthier place. Green Products, LLC.’s Natural Masonry Jacket™ (NMJ), a waterproof material for building walls, and Natural Bitumen Jacket™ (NBJ), an Energy Star Ô approved reflective roof coating, are a few examples of environmentally safe applications in the roofing industry.
NMJ is an oil-based coating made from soybean oil that is applied to porous surfaces to make them waterproof. Because it is made from soybean oil, it is more environmentally friendly than waterproof coatings made from petrochemicals.
NBJ, a bright-white roof coating, is soy-based and 100 percent waterproof. It can be applied with a roller, usually in one coat, which provides some additional cost savings. NBJ is the only renewable-resource-based roof coating that has earned Energy Star® approval, and it carries a UL® Class “A” fire rating. Because NBJ is a reflective coating, it helps reduce the energy needed for cooling buildings, which results in lower smog levels.
“The movement to incorporate biobased products into building construction has motivated architects and builders to look toward environmentally safe products that are cost effective, longer lasting and higher performing. Using soybean oil instead of petroleum oil in products like NMJ and NBJ helps us maintain outstanding performance that makes conventional roofing sense,” said Grant Grable, vice president of sales and marketing with Green Products, LLC.
The coatings industry has utilized soybean oil as a primary ingredient for many years, but products such as NMJ and NBJ are somewhat new to the marketplace. Environmentally friendly coatings are becoming more mainstream as government regulations encourage companies and/or manufacturers to use biobased products.
“It’s great to see companies implement environmentally safe products in the construction and renovation process of their businesses,” comments Grable. “They will find that these products will withstand the course of time.”
In addition to roof coatings, Green Products, LLC. manufactures a soy-based caulking product called Agriseal. They also produce a wood stain that is 98 percent biobased polymer and are bringing to the market soy-based adhesive systems for roofing and carpeting. They are currently replacing portions of a roof with a major general contractor in St. Louis, Alberici Contractors. Along with a few other biobased additions to this building, it may be officially classified as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified as well as possible the first LEED Platinum Level Certified general contractors office in the nation.
USB
is made up of 62 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean
checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. As stipulated in the Soybean
Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA’s Agricultural
Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean
checkoff.
For more information on Green Products’ soy-based solutions, contact Green Products, LLC, toll free at (877) 474-7481 or visit their Web site at www.greenproducts.net.
Figure 1. Workers coat the roof of the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Ill., with Green Product, LLC.’s Natural Bitumen JacketÔ.