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Even your drywall can be safer and more sustainable. National Gypsum works to reduce their footprint, and practices transparency regarding the chemicals they use.
Sustainability at National Gypsum
Design That Considers The Environment
Together, we can attain the highest level of ecological responsibility and resource-efficient technology. We are committed to developing and implementing sustainable green building policies, standards and practices. Beyond offering products that can help contribute to healthier environments and have achieved GREENGUARD Certification for indoor air quality, we can help you meet the criteria for green programs and credits such as USGBC LEED 2009 and LEED v4.
Energy Saving
We constantly strive to reduce energy. Each day, our on-site energy coordinators work to find ways to reduce energy usage. We’ve modernized lighting to reduce costs, and we’ve invested significantly in capital improvements to reduce and optimize energy usage, resulting in $3 million annual savings since 2004. The majority of the savings has come by upgrading and optimizing air compressors and our board-drying kiln systems. Most of our kilns utilize an Energy Optimization System (EOS), where exhaust air from the first zone in the board dryer preheats the air in other zones, saving tens of thousands of mmBTUs. Our Burlington, NJ facility uses the exhaust from a natural-gas fired electric turbine to heat the board dryer, reducing the board plant’s fuel usage while the turbine reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20,000 metric tons per year compared to coal-fired electricity generation.
Water, Air, and More
We look for ways to recycle, recover, and reuse. Our wallboard and paper plants consistently look for opportunities to recycle water and to reduce its use. Baghouse systems that collect solids are not only air pollution control. The collected material is recycled back into the manufacturing process instead of being wasted. Parts washing solvent, used oils, spent vehicle batteries, and scrap metal are sent to third-party recyclers instead of waste haulers.
We use proven tools to protect the environment. Our plants use control technologies such as biological treatment and sedimentation to control and treat water prior to discharge. Low NOx burners are used in combustion devices to reduce smog-generating emissions.
Recycled Paper & Byproduct Gypsum
100% of our gypsum board face and back paper is produced with post-consumer recyclable content. The company’s three paper mills produce paper from discarded cardboard, magazines, and trimmings from print shops.
Byproduct Gypsum is the ultimate recycle. It comes from a process that removes sulfur dioxide from emissions at coal-fired power plants. After the power plants remove fly ash and other impurities from the coal combustion exhaust air, the air is fed through a limestone slurry which removes the sulfur dioxide from the exhaust. The byproduct of this process is calcium sulfate, the chemical name for gypsum. Five National Gypsum plants produce wallboard exclusively with byproduct gypsum: Shippingport, PA; Apollo Beach, FL; Mt. Holly, NC; Westwego, LA; and Shoals, IN. Two of our plants – in Baltimore, MD and Waukegan, IL – use a combination of byproduct gypsum and natural gypsum rock in its wallboard production.
Reducing Transportation
We work to reduce the weight of our board product as well as the number miles board travels to customers. Our lightweight boards uses less material, require less energy to manufacture, and creates less tonnage for transportation — all of which saves energy and provides efficiencies. An automated logistics system within our Customer Service Center directs orders to the plant nearest the customer to reduce freight miles. This system saves millions in diesel fuel costs and carbon emissions annually.
National Gypsum Eco Friendly Products
Gold Bond® XP® Gypsum Board
Gold Bond® BRAND XP® Gypsum Board with Sporgard™* was developed as an improved moisture resistant board, offering the same advantages of a traditional moisture resistant board with added mold resistance in the core and paper. XP Gypsum Board panels consist of a specially treated, fire-resistant, gypsum core encased in a heavy mold/mildew/moisture resistant, 100% recycled, National Gypsum’s original PURPLE® paper on the face side and a heavy, mold/mildew/moisture resistant, 100% recycled, gray paper on the back side.
XP Gypsum Board was designed to provide extra protection against mold and mildew compared to standard gypsum board products. The face paper is folded around the long edges to reinforce and protect the core, and the ends are square-cut and finished smooth. Long edges of the panels are tapered.
Tapered edges allow joints to be reinforced with ProForm® BRAND Joint Tape and concealed with ProForm® BRAND Ready Mix or ProForm® BRAND Quick Set Setting Compounds. For optimum mold and mildew performance, ProForm® BRAND XP® Ready Mix is recommended for use.
Basic Uses
XP Gypsum Board may be installed in all wall and ceiling applications and is ideally suited where enhanced moisture and mold resistance is desired.
Advantages
- Resists the growth of mold per ASTM G 21 with a score of 0, the best possible score.
- Resists the growth of mold per ASTM D 3273 with a score of 10, the best possible score.
- XP Gypsum Board is moisture resistant and can be used as a tile backer board in dry areas or areas with limited water exposure such as toilet/sink areas and wall and ceiling areas above tile in tubs and showers.
- The gypsum core will not support combustion or transmit temperatures greatly in excess of 212°F (100°C) until completely calcined, a slow process.
- Scores and snaps easily, no special handling requirements.
- Less than 5% water absorption per ASTM C473.
Sustainability Certifications
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Gold Bond® 5/16″ XP® Fire-Shield® Gypsum Board
Gold Bond® BRAND 5/16″ XP Fire-Shield® Gypsum Board with Sporgard™* consists of a high density, fire-resistant, gypsum core encased in a heavy abrasion and mold/mildew/moisture resistant, 100% recycled, National Gypsum’s original PURPLE® paper. Used in the construction of double-layered, fire rated wall assemblies. Specifically engineered for radius applications requiring a fire rating.
Tapered edges allow joints to be reinforced with ProForm® BRAND Joint Tape and concealed with ProForm BRAND Ready Mix or ProForm BRAND Quick Set Setting Compounds. For optimum mold and mildew performance, ProForm BRAND XP® Ready Mix is recommended for use.
Basic Uses
For use on double-layered, fire-rated wall assemblies. Engineered for radius applications (minimum 2′) requiring a fire rating.
Advantages
- Resists the growth of mold per ASTM G 21 with a score of 0, the best possible score.
- Resists the growth of mold per ASTM D 3273 with a score of 10, the best possible score.
- The gypsum core will not support combustion or transmit temperatures greatly in excess of 212°F (100°C) until completely calcined, a slow process.
- Scores and snaps easily, no special handling requirements.
- Heavy abrasion resistant paper and denser core provide greater resistance to surface abuse when tested in accordance with ASTM C 1629.
- Lightweight, cost-efficient material that readily accepts a wide range of decorative finishes.
Sustainability Certifications & Documentation
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ProForm® Lite Blue™ with Dust-Tech® Joint Compound
ProForm® Lite Blue™ with Dust-Tech® Joint Compound is a vinyl base ready-mix joint compound specifically formulated to reduce airborne dust while sanding. A lightweight all-purpose compound that offers the same features and benefits as standard joint compound, but is 30% lighter, easier to sand, produces less airborne dust and offers enhanced mold resistance. It is excellent for all phases of drywall finishing, patch work and renovations. Same Formula as ProForm® Lite Blue™.
Basic Uses
ProForm® Lite Blue™ with Dust-Tech® is designed for use in all phases of finishing gypsum board, including taping, spotting fasteners and finishing corner bead.
Mold Resistance
No material can be considered “mold-proof,” nor is it certain that any material will resist mold or mildew indefinitely. However, when used in conjunction with good design, handling, and construction practices, ProForm ready mix can provide increased mold resistance versus standard ready-mixed compounds, per ASTM G21.
Advantages
- Reduces airborne dust by 60%, saving time with quick, easy cleanup.
- Lightweight. Approximately 30% lighter than conventional ProForm Joint Compound.
- Reduced shrinkage. Up to 33% less shrinkage than conventional joint compound.
- Easier pull. Spreads easier for quick application.
- Sands without clogging sandpaper.
- Ready to use right from container after mixing.
- Mold-resistant.
- Low VOC content – less than 2 grams/liter.
Sustainability Certifications & Documentation
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