CENTRIA's Major Products Are Cradle to Cradle Certified

The Cradle to Cradle^SM Certification process, administered by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), evaluates a material or product's ingredients and the complete formulation for human and environmental health impacts throughout its lifecycle as well as its potential for being truly recycled or safely composted. Achieving product certification requires success in multiple areas: use of environmentally safe and healthy materials; product design for material reutilization, such as recycling or composting; use of renewable energy and energy efficiency; efficient use of water and maximum water quality associated with production; and company strategies for social responsibility.

MBDC recently awarded Cradle to Cradle Certification at the Silver level to CENTRIA's Formawall^® Graphix Series™ metal wall panels, Concept Series^® concealed fastener panels, IW Series^® concealed fastener panels, Profile Series exposed fastener panels, Versapanel^® insulated metal composite panels, and Structural Standing Seam Roof Systems (SRS^®). These products join CENTRIA's current portfolio of certified products: Formawall^® Dimension Series^®, the first-ever exterior wall system to earn Silver certification; Versawall^® insulated metal composite panels, which also achieved Silver certification; and EcoScreen^® perforated screenwall panels, which achieved Gold certification. The majority of the CENTRIA product line is now certified and recognized for sustainable attributes through Cradle to Cradle Certification.

CENTRIA Cradle to Cradle Certified Products

The Cradle to Cradle Certification program was developed by internationally-recognized architect/designer William McDonough and German chemist Michael Braungart to encourage industries worldwide to adopt design principles which imitate the design patterns of nature and create new products to benefit human health and the environment. Instead of designing a cradle-to-grave product to be dumped in landfills at the end of its life,' the MBDC certification program focuses on products for cradle-to-cradle cycles, whose materials are perpetually circulated in closed loops. Maintaining materials in closed loops maximizes material value without damaging ecosystems.

Cradle to Cradle Certified^CM products also can now help earn a LEED Innovation in Design credit for buildings. Innovation in Design points are awarded to LEED projects administrated by the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that develop new solutions, employ new technologies, educate, or realize exemplary performance in another area.

CENTRIA first became involved with Cradle to Cradle in July of 2005, but has been at the forefront regarding sustainability in the building industry for more than 100 years. CENTRIA's Formawall Dimension Series insulated metal composite panel was the first building envelope product to receive Cradle to Cradle Certification in January of 2006. The company's intent is to move thinking beyond the "green" initiatives of environmental conservation to a broader understanding that encompasses other factors such as waste, toxic emissions, social implications and economic considerations.