Linoleum Ecological Footprint

Linoleum

By: Jeff Brennan

Jeff Brennan ENVL 4305

Linoleum Ecological Footprint

Table of Content:
Abstract..3 History3 Economics..3,4 Raw Material Production.4,5 Sources of Pollution5,6,7,8,9 Reduction Techniques..9,10 Conclusion11

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Linoleum Ecological Footprint

Abstract: Linoleum was introduced to the world by Frederick Walton, who combined linseed oil, ground cork dust, oxidized oils, and resin to create a durable flooring option. Linoleums environmental footprint is relatively low compared to other flooring options, but still has areas of pollution. The growing of flax causes ~48,000,000 kg of nitrogen, ~32,000,000 kg of phosphor, and ~68,000,000 kg of potassium to be introduced annually on a global scale by fertilizers. Pesticides applied to flax crops harm biodiversity, specifically bats, bees, and frogs. Forbo Flooring emitted a minimum of 2 million pounds of CO2 into the air from linoleum production. One way transportation of linoleum and linoleum materials emits 23799.3 pounds of CO2. History: In 1855, English manufacturer Frederick Walton noticed spilt linseed oil that had solidified into a tough resin. With the intentions to make a hydrophobic sealant, Walton applied linseed oil to cloth strips. Initially this sealant was to be used as a varnish for pre-existing flooring, but the process was too inefficient. The amount of time that the linseed oil took to solidify did not allow for enough varnish to be created to meet the needs of his factory. This coupled with the fact that the original varnish product was easily damaged, and a general lack of public demand for Waltons varnish had him reinvent uses for solidified linseed oil. Walton changed his application process of the linseed oil to the cloth strips, and mixed the linseed oil with ground cork, other oxidized oils, and resin. As a result, Walton created his new flooring type, which he aptly named linoleum, deriving the name from the Latin words for

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flax, linum, and the Latin word for oil, oleum. Today, linoleum is one of the most popular flooring choices in the world (Bellis, n.d.). Economics: The biggest manufacturer of linoleum in the world is Swedish company ForboKrommenie B.V, more commonly known as Forbo Flooring. In 2012, Forbo Flooring had a gross profit of $439 million Swiss Francs ($496 million USD), with net sales of $1.2 billion Swiss Francs ($1.4 billion USD) (Forbo, 2012). American flooring company Armstrong conducted a study on the national average price to install linoleum. These figures account for materials and labor, and are based on a 500 ft^2 area of installation, and do not factor in specialty services. Armstrongs linoleum costs anywhere from $4.50 to $6.50 USD per square foot, depending on the specific type of linoleum that is being installed (Armstrong, n.d.).

Raw Material Production: The main constituents of linoleum today are solidified linseed oil, ground cork dust, wood flour, rosin, and limestone. Forbo Flooring makes their linoleum with 97% natural raw materials, with 72% being renewable, and capable of being grown back within 10 years (Forbo, 2013). Forbo Flooring also produces their linoleum with 43% recycled materials, and is 100% biodegradable (Forbo, 2013). Linseed oil is produced by compressing flax seeds for its yellowish oil, which then gets combined with Tall Oil to decrease the oxidation time. Ground cork dust is obtained from the

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bark of cork trees. The tree does not need to be cut down and die in order for the bark to be collected, as the bark has a regrowth rate of 10 years (Lewitin, n.d.). This makes cork a very sustainable material for linoleum production use. Through the grinding of various hardwood trees, wood flour can be obtained which allows linoleum to have a smooth texture and more vibrant colors. In the United States in 2006, 15.5 billion cubic feet of hardwood trees were harvested. Fortunately, the amount of trees cut down for various uses does not exceed the amount of regrowth that is occurring (USDA, 2006). To give linoleum more strength and durability, pine trees are tapped at the trunk for a resin called Rosin. This tapping causes no damage to the tree, making this material in linoleum very sustainable since the tree does not have to die for it to be collected. Limestone is mined from quarries, and then ground as fine as possible and added in the linoleum production process. Ground limestone allows for an increase in density, which increases durability. 120 million tons of limestone is mined annually. Limestone is not a renewable resource, and limestone reserves can be put in jeopardy from weathering from water intrusion. Although limestone is a nonrenewable resource, limestone is very widespread and easily accessible, comprising 15% of the Earths crust (EERE, 2009). Sources of Pollution: The production of linoleum has several negative environmental impacts, both in the production of the linoleum, and in the harvesting and growing of the natural resources required to make linoleum. VOC emissions from linoleum production facilities primarily attribute to ozone depletion. At Forbo-Krommenie B.V. ( the worlds largest producer of linoleum floor covering) production site, VOCs account for 62% of the ozone depletion. This ozone depletion

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is primarily caused by the emissions from 1,1,1-trichlorethane. 1,1,1-tirchlorethane is used as a solvent at the production site (Gorree, 2002). The growing of flax for linseeds has several impacts over several different environmental areas. Flax does not have a high production yield when planted in low fertility soils, so a fertilizers need to be added to promote stable growth. Flax needs a maximum of 60kg/ha of nitrogen, applied before sowing, 30-50 kg/ha of phosphor (P2O5), and 70-100 kg/ha of potassium (K2O). In 2011, 1,602,047 metric tons of flax was produced globally (FAO, 2011). Under the assumptions that the yield for flax per hectare is .5 metric tons (CSCM, 2005), then there are approximately 800,000 hectares of agricultural land dedicated to flax growth. This means that ~48,000,000 kg of nitrogen, ~32,000,000 kg of phosphor, and ~68,000,000 kg of potassium are being introduced annually on a global scale to produce flax for all purposes. NH3 is present in most fertilizers, and its emissions occur during the growing process of flax for linseed oil when fertilizers get added to sustain the growth of the linseed. NH3, or ammonia, has several detrimental effects on the environment (Gorree, 2002). The leading environmental harm caused by ammonia comes in the form of eutrophication. Ammonia facilitates the growth of plants, both in and out of water. When storm water washes the ammonia off of the flax plant and into a waterway, eutrophication occurs. All these nutrients used to fertilize exacerbate ecological problems like eutrophication. Eutrophication has several negative effects on the environment. Eutrophication is usually found in the form of algal blooms. These algal blooms cause hypoxia, or depletion of dissolved oxygen, in water bodies. Dissolved oxygen levels deplete due to several factors, one being that during the night respiration uses more oxygen then is created during the day from photosynthesis. Also, when this algae dies, it gets decomposed by bacteria, further decreasing oxygen levels. Eutrophication can also
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suffocate aquatic plant life by creating a thick film of algae on the surface, preventing sunlight from penetrating to the bed of the water body. Also in the cultivation of flax, pesticides are used to reduce pests that reduce flax production yields. These pesticides have adverse effects on the environment in the form of terrestrial ecotoxicity. When in high concentrations, these pesticides pose a serious threat to animal life. The most common pest that infests flax crops is the flax ballworm, which is especially invasive in the monoculture farming, an agricultural practice that grows large amount of a single crop over a large area (Milnes, n.d.). These pesticides have detrimental effects on biodiversity, especially in the disappearing of honeybees, deaths of frogs, and deaths of bats. Honeybees are especially vulnerable to pesticides, as biologically they are programmed to collect nectar from various plants, thus making honeybees have a high exposure to these pesticides. A study looked at commercial honeybee hives and found that the wax and honey being produced by the honeybees there contain a significant amount of varying toxic pesticides (PAN, n.d.). When pesticides such as Aatrex, are applied to flax crops, a portion of that is transferred to aquatic ecosystems by runoff. This is where aquatic life such as frogs, are at their most vulnerable, especially if they are in their tadpole life stage. In an experiment to test Aatrexs effect on amphibians, male frogs were raised in the presence of water containing Aatrex. The results were astounding. 10% of the frogs had undergone a gender change and had become females. This can reduce frog populations and general biodiversity if the amount of male frogs is being reduced, making it so that there are less males able to impregnate the female frogs (PAN, n.d.).

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Linoleum Ecological Footprint

Bats are another area of concern for the detrimental effects of pesticide, as scientists are blaming these pesticides for mass bat die offs, specifically in the North-East. These bats all died from the disease White Nose Syndrome. This disease is fatal in bats, and the spreading of this disease is exacerbated because when bats are exposed to pesticides, their immune systems are significantly weakened (PAN, n.d.). The main contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the linoleum industry comes from the transportation and production of their products. Linoleum production requires 4,299.2 BTU of energy per pound of linoleum from natural gas. Natural gas fueled generators produces 117.08 pounds of CO2 per million Btu to make electricity. This means for every pound of linoleum produced, 0.5 pounds of CO2 is released into the air. Unfortunately, companies like Forbo Flooring do not release the data for the total amount of linoleum they create annually. They did however, released that they recycled 2000 tons of linoleum from installation and production in 2012 (Forbo, 2012). Just using the amount of waste they RECYLCED, Forbo Flooring emitted at least 2,000,000 lbs of CO2 (4000000*.5) into the air in 2012, and this is only a small fraction of the actual emissions from just the biggest linoleum manufacturer in the world. CO2 emissions add to the greenhouse gases of the world, increasing the Earths temperature which puts a strain on biological life and environmental functions around the world. A model for linoleum raw materials transportation was constructed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and includes the transportation of the final product from Europe to the United States. The total transportation distance of linseed oil is 2,703 miles by ocean freighter, and 932 miles by train. Rosin travels 1,243 miles by ocean freighter, limestone travels 497 miles by train, wood flour travels 373 miles by train, and cork flour travels 1,243 miles by ocean freighter. This means in total, linoleum travels 5,189 total miles by ocean
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freighter, and 1,802 total miles by train (NIST, n.d.). The CO2 emissions for linoleum are hard to determine for ocean freighters and have a high dependence on the weight of the load they are bearing. A study by the OECD determined that ocean freighters emit 40 grams of CO2 per tonne per km, or .07875 pounds of CO2 per 2000 pounds of load/mile. The average max carrying capacity of ocean freighters is 300,000 tons. Assuming that the ocean freighters will be filled to maximum capacity for the most cost efficient transfer of linoleum, this means that the transportation of linoleum one way by ocean freighter with a load of 300,000 tons causes 23,625 pounds of CO2 to be released into the air (EIA, 2014). Trains emit .187 pounds of CO2 per mile of transportation. This means in a 932 mile trip, a train will emit 174.3 pounds of CO2 per trip (EIA, 2014).

Reduction Techniques Forbo Flooring is the leading manufacturer of linoleum, and are setting environmental standards and precedents for the linoleum production industry. In Forbo Flooring Systems Environmental Analysis for 2011, and 2012, Forbo Flooring discussed whether they met their environmental goals, and discussed their environmental goals of the future. To promote sustainable production, Forbo started the Forbo Way to Win Sustainability initiative. This initiative promoted sustainable ideas across all disciplines within Forbo. Also, Forbo had a goal to reduce all electricity consumption by 20%, but was only able to reduce their electric use by 8%. Some future ideas to reduce this electric uses was to replace their incinerators with more energy efficient ones. Also Forbos energy objectives for 2012 consisted of keeping their energy use per square meter of linoleum below 85%. In 2011 they met this objective and had an energy use per meter squared of 82.5%. Forbos also believes that they will be able to further reduce
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Linoleum Ecological Footprint

energy usage by creating more awareness in all of their offices, trying to promote more sustainable use, and better environmental practices. One of Forbos greatest environmental impacts comes from residual waste. During construction projects, granulate residual waste is produced from linoleum production. In order to be aware of this waste, Forbo set goals for the amount of residual waste that they should be creating. Their 2011 goal of granulate residual waste was 0.012 tons/ton. In 2011 they ended up disposing of 0.015 tons/ton of granulate residual waste, and were 0.003 tons/ton over their goal. Forbo also produces linoleum residual waste that gets created when linoleum has to be cut to fit a certain floor at a construction site. These cutting remnants often get thrown away, accounting for 0.014 tons/ton of waste in 2011. Unfortunately their goal for 2011 was 0.010 tons/ton and were 0.004 over their goal for 2011. In 2011 Forbo ran a recycling initiative to recycle linoleum cutting remnants from construction sites, and their goal was to have a minimum of 30 customers participate. Forbo was able to find 39 customers willing to participate in the recycling project, and were able to recycle a total of 35.5 tons of material. Forbo also had a goal to reduce the amount of paper used in their company by 20%. They were able to buy 8% less paper and used 44% less paper. Forbos goals for 2012 consist of meeting their 2012 goal of 0.012 tons/ton of product that they did not meet in 2011. Also in 2012, they would like 50 customers to participate in their recycling initiative instead of the 30 in 2011. Forbo will also continue to environmentally conscious about the amount of paper they use and purchase, hoping to keep reducing their paper usage.

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Linoleum Ecological Footprint

Conclusion: All in all the making of linoleum; including the growing of the natural resources required, industrial emissions, and transportation emissions; linoleum is one of the greenest flooring options available. Companies like Forbo Flooring make their linoleum flooring with 97% natural raw materials, of which 72% are renewable, 43% is recycled, and 100% is biodegradable (Forbo, 2013).

References

United States Department of Agriculture. (2006). Indicator 2.13: Annual harvest of wood products. Retrieved from http://www.fs.fed.us/research/sustain/criteriaindicators/indicators/indicator-213.php Bellis, M. (n.d.). Linoleum-the history of linoleum. Retrieved from http://inventors.about.com/od/lstartinventions/a/linoleum.htm Lewitin, J. (n.d.). Green and natural linoleum flooring. Retrieved from http://flooring.about.com/od/green-flooring/a/Environmentally-Friendly-LinoleumFlooring.htm Forbo Flooring. (2012). connect: Annual report 2012. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/Jeffrey/Downloads/Forbo_2012_Annual_Report_General_Part.pdf Center for Sustainable Crop Management. (2005). U.k flax and hemp production. Retrieved from http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/growing/crops/industrial/pdf/flaxhemp-report.pdf
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Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2011). Faostat. Retrieved from http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-gateway/go/to/home/E Milnes, N. (n.d.). What effect does the flax plant have on the environment? Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_6494881_effect-flax-plant-environment_.html Pesticide Action Network. (n.d.). Environmental impacts. Retrieved from http://www.panna.org/issues/persistent-poisons/environmental-impacts U.S. Energy Information Administraion. (2014, January 14).How much carbon dioxide (co2) is produced per kilowatthour when generating electricity with fossil fuels?. Retrieved from http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=74&t=11 National Institute of Standards and Technology. (n.d.).Generic linoleum flooring. Retrieved from http://ws680.nist.gov/bees/ProductListFiles/Generic Linoleum Flooring.pdf

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