DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.—Mapei has signed an agreement to participate in the Global ReLeaf program with American Forests, the nation’s oldest citizen-based environmental organization.
“Environmental care is a fundamental part of the company’s philosophy, of our corporate commitment and industrial responsibility,” said Luigi Di Geso, president and CEO of Mapei Americas. “For this reason, Mapei works continuously on the development of products in aqueous dispersion formats and those which are solvent-free.”
Foremost in these efforts, he said, is the Ultrabond ECO line, a range of products with low VOC emissions for the installation of flooring materials of all types.
To celebrate the introduction of urethane wood adhesives into the Ultrabond ECO line, Mapei is contributing $1 from each pail sold in 2010 to plant a tree via the Global ReLeaf program. “To underline our commitment to a greener environment, Mapei has pledged a minimum of $200,000 in 2010 to American Forests through Global ReLeaf,” Di Geso said. “As the construction industry begins its recovery from the current downturn, we want it to be a green recovery as well.”
The latest addition to the Ultrabond ECO brand is Mapei’s line of urethane wood- flooring adhesives. Phthalate-free formulations, based on the use of rapidly renewable materials, noted Di Geso, are being incorporated into Ultra- bond ECO 995, Ultrabond ECO 990, Ultrabond ECO 980 and Ultrabond ECO 975 adhesives to provide a wide range of bonding systems for nail-free wood flooring.
According to Jeff Johnson, product manager, Mapei floor covering installation systems, the company’s commitment to creating environmentally friendly products has taken sustainability to the next level. “This partnership program focuses on re-forestation of areas that have been ravaged by fire, weather or deforestation.”
Mapei’s program with American Forests “will help plant more than 200,000 trees in 2010,” he added. “While our commitment to the environment has been the standard of the construction industry for many years, this program plants our reputation firmly in the ground for years to come.”
Gerry Gray, acting executive director of American Forests, noted, “Mapei’s generous donation will help us plant roughly enough trees to cover all 843 acres of New York’s Central Park.”
For more information about the program, contact Mapei at 954.246.8799, American Forests at 202.737.1944 or visit americanforests.org.