THE GREAT KNOWLEDGE QUIZ - Duropal

in order to produce an accurate
envi ronmental profile of HPL materials,
a comprehensive life cycle
analysis was carried out in accordance
with the latest scientific
findings (the full extent of the
processes considered is shown in
the illustration at the right). the
result gives rise to an astonishing
conclusion: in many ways, HPL
manufacturers such as duropal
66 _ HPL World
HARD FACTS FOR A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT.
THE HPL LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS
or:
Low CO 2 emissions, high recycling quota — this is not automatically ecological valuable. Because how environmentally
compatible a material and its production really are cannot be determined simply by focusing on individual
key figures. More recent environmental research pursues a different approach. The decisive factor is the
comprehensive environmental profile according to the cradle-to-cradle principle. This considers and assesses
the full range of environmental effects, such as raw material and energy consumption, emissions and waste.
And this covers all phases of the product life cycle from the production process to use, and on to disposal and
subsequent recycling.
have already been thinking in
terms of sustainability, even before
sustainability became a topical
subject. Because even in the
early times of HPL, the sparing use
of resources, low material losses
during use, and the high durability
of the products were all essential
components of HPL material
development.
PHASE 1: PRODUCTION
the life cycle analysis of highpressure
laminates begins with
the sourcing of the components
required for HPL production, consisting
of paper, colour pigments
and basic resin materials. HPL
manufacturers like duropal ensure
that the wood fibres used in the
paper production originate exclusively
from sustainable forestry.