ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC has once again raised the standard of excellence in the building products industry, as two of its premier Dens(TM) interior gypsum panel products have passed the industry’s most stringent mold resistance test.
DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panel* and DensShield Tile Backer each passed the 12-week test, conducted in accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s ASTM D 6329 ** protocol. The test — three times longer and much more rigorous than ASTM D 3273, the current industry standard — was conducted by an independent third party, RTI International, at its facilities in Research Triangle Park, N.C., between February and June 2009.
No other gypsum products manufacturer has announced test results showing zero mold growth for 12 full weeks for any product.
“These results confirm what we have long known — that our Dens products lead the industry in mold and moisture resistance performance,” said Kendall Clark, Research & Development Program Manager, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. “Architects and builders can take comfort in the fact that the mold-resistant properties of Dens products save time and money during construction, and also ensure the sustainability of structures.”
According to Susan Raterman, a prominent industrial hygiene consultant in the critical areas of indoor air quality, mold mitigation and asbestos management, the news that two Dens(TM) interior products have passed a rigorous 12-week test is quite noteworthy.
“Both the length of the test and the fact that it used two of the most problematic species of mold found in buildings are indicative of the rigor of this mold resistance performance standard,” said Raterman, founder and president of The Raterman Group Ltd. “These results raise the bar for the entire industry, and further illustrate Georgia-Pacific Gypsum’s leadership in product quality and innovation.”
The 12-week test continues the long history of “firsts” achieved by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, via its Dens family of products. It was the first company to offer fiberglass mat products, the first to achieve a top rating of 10 under ASTM D 3273 and the first to offer an extended Weather Exposure Limited Warranty.
The DensArmor Plus panels were also the first to be GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified and GREENGUARD Children & Schools(TM) Certified as low-emitting gypsum panels, and were among the first gypsum panels to be listed by The Collaborative for High Performing Schools (CHPS(TM)) as low-emitting materials.
Since the introduction of its flagship DensGlass sheathing more than 20 years ago, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum has steadily expanded its portfolio of fiberglass mat gypsum panels to include DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panels, DensArmor Plus Abuse-Resistant Interior Panels, DensDeck Roof Boards, DensGlass(TM) Shaftliner, DensShield Tile Backer and the newly-released DensArmor Plus Impact-Resistant Panels.
* Test results limited to DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panel and do not include DensArmor Plus Abuse-Resistant Interior Panels and DensArmor Plus Impact-Resistant Panels.
** For more information about the EPA’s Environmental and Sustainable Technology Evaluations (ESTE) projects for microbial resistant building materials, visit www.epa.gov/etv/este.html#mrbmgw
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 plywood, DryPly water repellent plywood, Ply-Bead panels and Wood I Beam(TM) and XJ 85(TM) joists offered by Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC. DensArmor Plus interior drywall, DensGlass Sheathing and ToughRock wallboard are offered by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC. The familiar consumer tissue brands of Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP include Quilted Northern, Angel Soft, Brawny, Sparkle, Soft ‘n Gentle, Mardi Gras, So-Dri and Vanity Fair. Dixie Consumer Products LLC, a Georgia-Pacific company, manufactures the Dixie brand of tabletop products. For more information, visit www.gp.com/build or call 800-225-6119.
About RTI International
RTI International is one of the world’s leading independent, nonprofit research institutes. With projects in more than 40 countries and a staff of more than 2,800, RTI offers innovative research and technical solutions to governments and businesses worldwide in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals, education and training, surveys and statistics, advanced technology, democratic governance, economic and social development, energy, and the environment. For more information, visit www.rti.org.
Unless otherwise noted, all trademarks are owned by or licensed to Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC.
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program(SM). GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified and GREENGUARD Children & Schools are service marks used under license through the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.
The Collaborative for High Performing Schools and CHPS are trademarks of Collaborative for High Performing Schools Inc.
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