Leading Environmental Groups List Georgia-Pacific Gypsum’s Moisture- and Mold-Resistant Tile Backer

ATLANTA, March 24 /PRNewswire/ — Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC is announcing that DensShield(R) tile backer, the only tile backer with a built-in barrier to prevent moisture penetration, has been listed by two leading environmental organizations. The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) has listed DensShield tile backer on its low-emitting materials list. DensShield tile backer has also been listed by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) as a microbial-resistant product.

“Because of its water-resistant core, fiberglass mats, and acrylic surface coating, this tile backer reduces the risk of mold growth in moisture-prone environments like bathrooms and basements by stopping water at the surface and removing a food source for mold,” said Barry Reid, product development manager, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. DensShield tile backer also is lighter and easier to work with than competitive cement-based tile backers.

DensShield tile backer panels are covered front and back with fiberglass mats, which are also integrated with the proprietary, water-resistant treated core. Its heat-cured acrylic coating helps protect the tile installation and wall cavity from moisture intrusion and damage. To achieve GREENGUARD listing as a microbial-resistant product, DensShield was tested under controlled laboratory conditions to demonstrate its resistance to mold growth, in compliance with ASTM Standard D 6329-98. It also exhibits the highest level of performance for mold resistance when tested in accordance with ASTM D 3273.

Based in California, CHPS is a national, non-profit organization that encourages the building of high performance schools by providing guidelines for school districts and design teams to construct learning environments that are healthy, efficient and comfortable. Throughout the country, the CHPS program has been regionally adopted to meet the needs of the varying climates and local conditions in states such as New York, Texas and Washington.

“By being on the CHPS low emitting materials list and also listed by GREENGUARD as a product that resists mold growth, DensShield tile backer is a product that can contribute to helping build a high performance school,” Reid added.

About Georgia-Pacific

Headquartered at Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of building products, tissue, packaging, paper, cellulose and related chemicals. The company employs approximately 45,000 people at more than 300 locations in North America, South America and Europe. Georgia-Pacific has long been among the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers, with brands such as Plytanium(R) plywood, DryPly(R) water repellent plywood, Ply-Bead(R) panels and Wood I Beam(TM) joists offered by Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC and DensArmor Plus(R) interior drywall, DensGlass(TM) Exterior Sheathing and ToughRock(R) wallboard offered by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC. The familiar consumer tissue brands of Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP include Quilted Northern(R), Angel Soft(R), Brawny(R), Sparkle(R), Soft ‘n Gentle(R), Mardi Gras(R), So-Dri(R) and Vanity Fair(R). Dixie Consumer Products LLC, a Georgia-Pacific company, manufactures the Dixie(R) brand of tabletop products. For more information, visit www.gp.com/build or call 800-225-6119.

About GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification programs. As an ANSI Authorized Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and buildings. GEI’s mission is to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air. Visit www.greenguard.org to find the certified Georgia-Pacific products and other low-emitting materials.

About Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)

Founded in 2000, the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) is a non-profit organization that strives to facilitate the design of high performance schools: environments that are healthy, comfortable, energy, resource and water efficient, safe, secure, adaptable, and easy to operate and maintain. High performance schools help school districts achieve higher student performance, retain quality teachers and staff, reduce operating cost, increase average daily attendance (ADA), and reduce liability, while at the same time reducing environmental impact and resource use. CHPS credits are offered for GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified products that meet the testing method requirements and emission limits defined in the Agreement between CHPS and GEI. GEI testing methods and criteria outside of the scope of this Agreement, including testing for total VOCs, phthalates, total particles, and criteria for iVOCs with no CRELs, have not been evaluated and are not endorsed by CHPS or CDHS. For more information about CHPS, log onto www.chps.net or call 415-957-9888.

The Georgia-Pacific logo and all trademarks are owned by or licensed to Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC.

    Contacts:
    Susan Fulginiti                    Julie McNeal
    Georgia-Pacific                    Ketchum Public Relations
    Senior Marketing Manager           Tel:  404-879-9125
    133 Peachtree St., 8th Floor       julie.mcneal@ketchum.com
    Atlanta, Georgia, 30303
    Tel:  404-652-2787
    skfulgin@gapac.com

SOURCE Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC