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If tropical deforestation were a country, it would rank third in carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions, behind China and the U.S.
reduce flammability is expensive, and the chemicals used are not particularly environmentally friendly.
Safety is compromised when wood deteriorates over time, for example timber sliding shutters across the windows of an apartment block in north London became dilapidated and posed a danger to people walking below; Aluminium replacements were designed to avoid deterioration, and to retain the appearance of wood, a particular shade was chosen to coat the metal panels.
Preservation of trees The World Bank estimates that between 1990 and 2016, the world lost 502,000 sq miles of forest, an area larger than South Africa. The argument over whether it is ‘environmentally responsible’ to use wood or not is a complex one. The timber industry may state that since wood can be regrown, it is sustainable and renewable; that trees store carbon dioxide as they grow and after harvest. However, National Geographic has argued that cutting down trees both adds carbon dioxide to the air and removes the ability to absorb existing carbon dioxide. According to the World Resources Institute, ‘if tropical deforestation
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were a country, it would rank third in carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions, behind China and the US.’
Powder coatings’ credentials Powder coating has no effect on the recyclability of aluminium or steel, but has clear environmental advantages over wet paints and liquid wood treatments. Being a dry powder, it emits no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Wood on a building looks attractive when clean and free from lichen and mildew, but requires a long-term maintenance routine. Products designed to prevent lichen and mildew are not generally environmentally friendly, whereas powder coatings are developed to only need a quick wash over with water and a basic detergent. Specifiers need to ask whether it is possible to use alternatives to timber which offer similar aesthetics, but without some of the issues. If one of the most important features of wood is its appearance, powder coating on aluminium or steel could be a useful and practical compromise.
Richard Besant is sales director at Powdertech Corby
ADF OCTOBER 2021
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