Industry giants phase out phthalates from vinyl flooring

Flooring that do not incorporate harmful substances are making headway in the hardware industry. Big home improvement brands are discontinuing the use of phthalates in their selections. Recently, leading home improvement products retailer Home Depot announced that it will be requiring its suppliers to remove the said chemical from virgin vinyl flooring by the end of 2015.

Other companies have been a step ahead in this greening initiative. Ace Hardware reportedly stated that its distribution centers will sell flooring that do not have phthalates. A Finland-based manufacturer, Upofloor, has been offering PVC- and phthalate-free flooring since 2010. Another company, Tarkett, also started producing phthalate-free flooring for its factories in the US and Canada in the same year.

Phthalates are used to soften PVC, a main component in plastic items such as baby bottles, toys, and vinyl floorings. According to several environmental groups, the chemical can disrupt the endocrine system, lead to abnormalities in the development of fetuses and cause respiratory allergies.

Market research firm Freedonia Group reported that demand for hard surface flooring will increase by 5 percent in 2017 in the US, with vinyl types still being the largest product segment. Given this information, it would be beneficial for buyers to ask their suppliers whether their products contain phthalates or other harmful chemicals.