Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based molecular substances that vaporise (or evaporate) at normal room temperatures and pressure. Many VOCs are harmful to the environment and human health and, as such, are strictly regulated in the UK. Those that use products that contain VOCs, such as paints and varnishes, are required to ensure the products they use contain no more than a specified amount of organic solvent.
For many years, Osmo has been working with High Solid Wood Oil products which contain only a small quantity of solvents.
Additionally, Osmo has also been working to develop products which are completely free from solvents (VOC’s). As a result of this research, the Osmo ‘Full Solid’ range of products has been launched, as well as the Osmo water-based product range.
To date, Osmo is still striving to develop this technology further for years to come, bringing you the finest and cleanest, vegan products for wood.
Osmo complies with the latest EU Directive on the limits of VOC’s within its products in accordance to its application on structures. For transparency, Osmo provides important product data via its product data sheets, hosted on the osmouk.com website.
On these product data sheets, Osmo includes a statement on the EU/UK limit value for VOC in grams per litre, with its product categorisation. In addition, Osmo also lists the ingredients and further technical data about odour, flash point and viscosity, where applicable.
Due to the low amounts of solvents used in our products, the Osmo production facility has not been bound by the German emissions law since 1998. In addition, technical systems are also encapsulated to ensure that very little emissions can enter the atmosphere.
Osmo also manufactures water based finishes which are for interior and exterior wood surfaces.
Water based wood paint/finishes also has a zero/low VOC. Many products cannot be called zero VOC because of the addition of in-can preservatives. These ingredients are bioactive compounds which are not classified as toxic but as harmful substances. They can cause allergic reactions, even though they are added in small amounts.
Please always check the label and ingredients before using any water based product, or contact the Osmo team directly for expert advice.
Osmo 2K Wood Oil is classed as a ‘Zero VOC’ product, even though it contains max. 50g/l VOC. The VOC Product category 2K Wood Oil is placed can have max. 500g/l VOC making it an Ultra-Low/No VOC product compared to other alternatives.
© 2020 — Osmo UK.
Osmo UK is the trading name of Woodex Limited.
