Substrates

The Green Blade sheets can be applied to all general substrates (paper-board, particle boards, MDF, plywood…) on a flat surface that is well degreased with all dust removed. Application to a metal surface requires a good surface preparation, in particular a good degreasing with a powerful grease-remover.

Balancing

To counterbalance the Green Blade sheets, we do not advise the use of traditional laminates, these two materials having different dilation coefficients. When Green Blade is used to make panels, it is advised to balance with a sheet of Green Blade or any other veneer of the same thickness and to apply the same finish to the 2 faces. For wall solutions, on the other hand, it is possible to veneer only one face of a panel in Green Blade if the panel is held rigid by a wall-mounting device or framework. In this case, without guarantee on our part, the other face will need to be isolated from moisture and can be painted, lacquered or varnished by a vapor resistant product.

Gluing

Surfaces to be assembled must be solid, rigorously dry, clean, and have all dust, sawdust and traces of grease removed from them.

With a veneer press

Gluing using a veneer press is the surest method. In this case, one can use traditional adhesives for laminated panels (vinyl adhesive, Urea Formaldehyde glue, etc.). When gluing is carried out under a hot press, do not exceed 70°C. Above this temperature, there is a risk of creating harmful tensions between the various elements.

Cold gluing

Apply a layer of glue (vinyl adhesive, Urea Formaldehyde glue, etc.) on the clean surface and then apply the laminated (HPL) Green Blade framed on the surface and put a homogenous pressure on the sheet. Then maintain pressure with some weight (using some wood board: MDF, OSB, plywood) during 8 to 10 min.

Finishing

Green Blade® sheets are 100% natural and delivered as such if ordered as “raw Green Blade®”. In order to limit lightening or discoloration of the sheets due to the photosensitivity of the banana fiber, we recommend protecting the sheet (base coat and varnish for veneering applications). It is recommended to use an anti-UV filter solution for certain applications. It is recommended to brush (ginning brush) the veneered panel before applying a base coat. Should you not possess a production line with a brush, it is recommended to apply at least one layer of base coat without pre-sanding. Before applying the finishing coats, it is necessary to lightly sand the base coat (320/400 grit) in order to eliminate any residual fibers that may have been pulled up, in particular where the slices of Green Blade meet. It is then recommended to apply two coats of a finishing product.

Green Blade® and the environment

Fibandco takes great pride in offering sustainable, high-performance products. All Green Blade® products use our plant based veneer from recycled banana plant trunks. Fibandco recycle the trunk (or stem) of the plant once the fruit has been harvested. After bearing fruit, the banana plant naturally dies, for a new plant to grow from the bulb. Hence Fibandco give a second life to a by-product of banana farming. No water is used in the manufacturing of Green Blade®, and the Fibandco factory produces the energy it uses thorough solar photovoltaic panels.

	All panels used to make Green Blade® products are FSC certified. The Forest Stewardship Council is an international not for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established in 1993 to promote responsible management of the world’s forests.
	All panels used to produce Green Blade products can be fire rated upon request (EN 13501-1 B-s2-d0)
	Fibandco offer a wide range of acoustic solutions, each with their own acoustic performance. All of the green Blade acoustic solutions have been professionally tested in a European laboratory for acoustics. Solutions possess an NRC value ranging from 60 to 90%.
	Green Blade could contribute positively to LEED credits MATERIALS & RESOURCES MRc 4 Recycled content (2 points) Green Blade is 100% recycled banana trunk MRc 5.1 & 5.2 Regional materials (1-2 points) The final assembly location determines the opportunity for these credits. MRc 6 Rapidly renewable materials (1 point) Banana trunk renews every 9 months after each banana bench harvesting. MRc. 7 Certified wood (1 point) FIBANDCO use certified FSC and PEFC companies for panels production. INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY EQc 4.1 Low-emitting materials – adhesives and sealants (1 point) FIBANDCO uses low-VOC glues for all products. EQc 4.2 Low-emitting materials – paints and coatings (1point) Lambri uses low-VOC finishes for all products. EQc 4.3 Low-emitting materials – composite wood and agrifiber products (1 point) FIBANDCO products can be produced with low VOC and/ or no added urea formaldehyde (NAUF) substrates.
	Products certified to European and French standards
	Green Blade could contribute positively to BREEAM guidelines Hea 02 Indoor air quality Mat 01 Life cycle impacts Mat 03 Responsible sourcing of materials
	Most of Green Blade panels products are classified A+ (French VOC emission certification)