Still Green

It may be gray, but concrete is proving its green credentials.

In the drive to achieve sustainability and reduce environmental impacts in construction, one of the oldest building materials is making a whole new name for itself: Concrete.

Concrete may not seem all that ‘green’ at first glance, but take a closer look at its advantages:

  • Concrete lasts. Just look at Rome’s Coliseum, still standing after more than 2,000 years.
  • Concrete’s thermal mass helps reduce energy use in buildings by minimizing temperature swings.
  • Waste materials such as fly ash and iron slag can be safely added to concrete to strengthen the mix and keep these materials out of landfills.
  • Concrete’s natural light color reflects heat during the day and reduces the need for exterior building lights at night.
  • Concrete is usually manufactured locally, reducing energy use in transporting building materials over long distances.

Banner ImageArclin’s EPIC® suite of concrete forming overlays have long set the standard for extending panel life and producing high quality finishes. But they do their part to keep concrete green, too. EPIC overlays last longer and perform better, creating less jobsite waste, reducing material usage and lowering labor costs. EPIC overlays can extend panel life from 5 -10 times for MDO and 10 – 20 times for HDO over the life of non-overlaid BB Plyform panels.

EPIC Overlays carry Arclin’s exclusive E-Gen® designation, reserved for products that are specifically engineered to meet or exceed existing product performance standards and to reduce manufacturing and downstream environmental impact.

Recently Arclin has devised a groundbreaking new resin system that strengthens panels and enhances durability and performance—even on the highest alkaline concrete mixes.

Arclin also enhanced its overlay base papers by combining a variety of wood fibers that stand up to moisture and tough weather without separating or delaminating

That means that panels carrying our EPIC overlays are tougher than ever, will last even longer and perform better, while continuing to reduce material waste and labor costs.

  • Arclin EPIC® Overlays for Concrete Forming:
  • Are available with FSC® chain of custody certification
  • May contribute to LEED Credits 2.1 and 2.2 for waste reduction and MR Credits 3.1 and 3.2 for material re-use
  • Cut materials costs by up to 64% and reduce jobsite waste
  • EPIC® Medium Density Overlay 3333 (MDO)
  • Enhanced alkalinity resistance and internal bond
  • For a smooth, matte concrete finish
  • Has the Arclin “cross-cut” advantage
  • EPIC® Enhanced Flow Medium Density Overlay 3369 (Natural Kraft) and 3379 (Green) (MDO)
  • Formulated with a high flow phenolic resin system for increased caustic resistance and reuse
  • For a smooth, matte concrete finish
  • Has the Arclin “Cross-Cut” advantage
  • EPIC® High Alkaline Overlay 2600 (HAO)
  • For aggressive, high alkaline concrete mix designs
  • Can provide semi- and high-gloss finish when combined with the appropriate substrate and pressing surface
  • EPIC® Coated Concrete Form Overlay 4098 (CCFO)
  • Coated with alkaline resistant phenolic resin for improved caustic resistance
  • Can provide high quality concrete finish when combined with the appropriate substrate and pressing surface
  • Has the Arclin “Cross-Cut” advantage
  • EPIC® High Density Overlay 2252/2253 (HDO)
  • Available with standard and premium resin contents
  • For smooth, low- and semi-gloss finishes
  • Can provide architectural finish when combined with the appropriate substrate and pressing surface