Inspired by the fight against indoor emissions was the cleaning ability of sheep's wool

The special surface treatment of the FERMACELL greenline boards, performed at the manufacturing plant, reduces the content of harmful substances such as formaldehyde, neutralizes unpleasant odors, and thus provides an active contribution to healthy living. This effect is guaranteed for many years and can be restored during renovation by performing a basic coating. The boards can be used for both new constructions and renovations, and are suitable for setting up offices, building kindergartens, schools, and hospitals. The process of working with them is the same as with the existing fiber gypsum boards. The boards FERMACELL greenline were first presented to the public at the Wood Construction Fair 2010, which took place from February 25 to February 28 at the PVA Letňany exhibition center in Prague.

The principle of operation of the FERMACELL greenline boards is maximally simple: the double-sided surface treatment with an active substance based on keratin naturally captures and permanently binds pollutants and emissions contained in the air in the given space. The inspiration in this case was the cleaning ability of sheep wool. Fermacell has once again managed to utilize an ecological process that occurs daily in nature. In this way, harmful substances, such as aldehydes and so-called ketones, which are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and can cause serious health issues at high concentrations, can be effectively bound. The FERMACELL greenline boards can actively capture these pollutants for many years, and this ability is preserved even under coatings and wall coverings. However, an ideally diffusion-open final surface treatment is optimal. When renovating, the effect can be renewed with another simple basic coating.



Fermacell tested the effects of the FERMACELL greenline boards through a series of measurements in a test chamber. At set time intervals of 1, 4, 24, and 48 hours, adsorption (enrichment of the substance) and subsequent desorption (release of absorbed substances) were examined. The effects were also investigated and confirmed by the independent eco-Institut in Cologne. According to Dr. Hans-Ulrich Krieg, technical director and managing director of the eco-Institut in Cologne, “FERMACELL greenline has clearly detectable effects in terms of user benefits. The reduction of pollutants can not only be measured in the testing laboratory but is also noticeably effective for residents in real conditions.”

The new elements of FERMACELL greenline can be used in the construction of new houses and apartments as well as in renovations. Their use is not limited only to the private housing sector. Due to their impact on air purity, FERMACELL products provide a significant contribution to a healthy work environment when constructing offices, reducing absenteeism caused by illness. In schools and kindergartens, FERMACELL greenline products can significantly contribute to actively improving conditions for teaching, positively affecting the activities of children and students. The same applies to hospitals: where the effort for healing is at the forefront, negative influences caused by airborne pollutants should be minimized to accelerate the healing process.

Working with FERMACELL greenline products proceeds in the usual manner: the boards are cut, milled, and drilled just like normal fiber gypsum boards without the use of special tools. Fastening to wooden or metal frame structures is done with screws or staples, and joints are filled with glue or joint sealant. A wide range of accessories is available, which is carefully tested from an ecological perspective. The boards are marked in production with the printed inscription “greenline.” Just like all existing FERMACELL fiber gypsum boards, the greenline series offers maximum stability, fire protection, sound insulation, and thermal insulation.

In conclusion, a very brief summary of information about the FERMACELL greenline boards:

• The surface of the boards is treated at the manufacturer with an active substance based on keratin.
• The effect of FERMACELL greenline stems from a natural principle, more specifically from the cleaning capacity of sheep wool.
• Pollutants and emissions are accepted and permanently bound through a natural process.
• FERMACELL greenline works even under surface coverings, best under diffusion-open coatings and wall coverings.