The release of VOCs into the environment has become a major concern since health issues such as ‘sick building syndrome’ have been assigned to emissions from adhesives used, for example, in flooring.
Although today a still wider variety of mostly solvent-based adhesives are employed, since 2005 the European VOC Solvents Directive has made solvent usage more difficult and more expensive. Therefore, manufacturers are seeking solvent-
free alternatives to stay abreast of changes in the regulations stipulated by law, to consolidate their reputation as environmentally friendly companies, to save cost, and to optimize their processes.