Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – The essence of indoor health
Elevated VOC levels are a critical consideration because they can affect indoor air quality and pose health risks.
Binders based on phenol-formaldehyde resins, flame retardants, plasticizers, and surfactants are among the common substances that release VOCs.
These emissions occur during the manufacturing process, the use phase, and especially after installation, as materials degrade over time.
Another essential factor is the formaldehyde value. Here it is important to distinguish between natural and synthetic formaldehyde. The former one has emissions that are intrinsic, low, and typically decrease over time, reaching levels that rarely exceed safety limits, making it generally safe for indoor use. In contrast, synthetic formaldehyde emissions can be volatile, particularly under heat or humidity, and often persist over longer periods. Higher emissions from synthetic sources can lead to indoor air quality issues and potential health risks if not properly controlled.
Despite this, manufacturers often only state that their materials meet standard limits, without specifying exact values in readily available data sheets.
Here, we aim to make a difference and provide this data, so that our customers can make a conscious and confident decision when choosing our products.
Testing method
We tested our panels at the emissions test chamber at TU Wien in collaboration with the Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering and Kompetenzzentrum Holz.
Testing was conducted according to the following standards:
- EN 16516: 2020-10
- DIN EN ISO 16000-0:2008-04
- DIN ISO 16000-6: 2021 (VOC, TVOC)
- DIN ISO 16000-3 (2013-01).
The Results
After 28 days, the results are as follows:
- TVOC in acc. with EN ISO (16000-6:2021): 90 μg/m3 (very low)
- Formaldehyde in acc. with DIN ISO (16000:3:2013-2): 0.23 μg/m3 (effectively non-detectable)
Nota bene: The minimal amount of formaldehyde present in our panels is a result of the hemp shives (the woody core of the hemp stalk), which are a primary constituent in the biocomposite. Hemp shives naturally contain small amounts of formaldehyde, similar to wood. This is due to lignin degradation during heating or decomposition. While these emissions are minimal, they remain measurable under sensitive conditions.
Results Discussion
Our product’s formaldehyde value of 0.23 μg/m³ is effectively non-detectable compared to most materials on the market.
This makes our “near-zero formaldehyde” panels among the most environmentally friendly and indoor-air-safe products available.
Highly attractive for applications in:
- Schools and hospitals (where indoor air quality is critical).
- High-performance green building certifications (e.g., LEED, WELL).
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum formaldehyde exposure of 100 μg/m³ (short-term). For long-term exposure, much lower levels are preferable – our panels achieve levels well below this recommendation.
The GREENGUARD Gold Certification allows a maximum formaldehyde concentration of <9 μg/m³ . At 0.23 μg/m³, our panels fall significantly below this limit.
A TVOC of 90 µg/m³ qualifies as “low-VOC” under multiple global standards:
- GREENGUARD Certification for Low Emission Products sets a limit of indoor ≤500 µg/m³
- Austrian Baubook sets a limit of 300 µg/m³ for TVOC
- EUROFINS Indoor Air Comfort Gold sets acceptable levels at ≤100 µg/m³, making our panels highly competitive.
Shaping Healthy Spaces
With these values, we enable the creation of healthy and environmentally safe indoor spaces that prioritize both human comfort and ecological non-hazardous safety.
Are you looking for outstanding materials for your next green-certified building project?
Get in touch with us today.