LOHAS 20/21 – World’s first wallpaper with eco-friendly resin
Eco-Friendly Wallcovering for GBI and GreenRE Projects in Malaysia:
What to Specify
Eco-friendly interior finishings are no longer a niche specification. They are a requirement on Malaysian government projects pursuing GBI or GreenRE certification, and an increasingly common developer request on residential and commercial schemes targeting green rating for marketing value. This article covers what eco-friendly actually means for each of WCD's four finish categories — wallcovering, fabric, flooring, and art frames — and what documentation a supplier must provide for green project submittals.
GREEN CERTIFICATION
Introduction
Eco-friendly in interior finishings means different things to different certification frameworks. Here is what it means in practice for Malaysian GBI and GreenRE projects — across all four finish categories.
WHAT TO SPECIFY
Eco-Friendly Wallcovering
Low-VOC resin, PVC-free substrates, and natural-fibre alternatives — the wallcovering choices that contribute to IEQ and M&R credits
Three wallcovering categories contribute meaningfully to GBI and GreenRE credits :
CERTIFICATION
Low-VOC Resin Wallcovering
KOLAS certification, fire testing, and PHTHALATE-free formulations — the documentation that makes Korean wallcovering commercially specifiable
Some Korean and European manufacturers now produce commercial wallcovering using water-based low-VOC resins instead of conventional PVC-heavy formulations.
These products reduce the indoor air quality impact of the wallcovering installation and support GBI IEQ credit claims.
Request VOC emission test results — third-party test to an international standard (e.g., AgBB, GREENGUARD, or equivalent).
CERTIFICATION
PVC-free Non-Woven Wallcovering
KOLAS certification, fire testing, and PHTHALATE-free formulations — the documentation that makes Korean wallcovering commercially specifiable
Non-woven wallcovering without a PVC face coating uses a lower proportion of petrochemical-derived materials than standard vinyl-coated products. It is dry-strippable, reducing chemical waste at end-of-life, and is available in commercial grades through WCD.
CERTIFICATION
Natural-Fibre Wallcovering
KOLAS certification, fire testing, and PHTHALATE-free formulations — the documentation that makes Korean wallcovering commercially specifiable
Grasscloth (jute, seagrass, sisal) is renewable-source, biodegradable, and carries inherent sustainability credentials.
It is appropriate for low-humidity air-conditioned commercial environments and contributes to GBI M&R credits.
CERTIFICATION
Eco-Friendly Flooring
Flooring with FloorScore certification and recycled content — what WCD provides for green project specifications
SPC and LVT flooring from WCD contributes to green certification in two ways.
First, SPC's limestone-polymer composite core uses a lower proportion of virgin PVC than flexible vinyl products. This reduces the embodied petrochemical content per square metre.
First, SPC's limestone-polymer composite core uses a lower proportion of virgin PVC than flexible vinyl products. This reduces the embodied petrochemical content per square metre.
Second, some WCD SPC products carry FloorScore or equivalent indoor air quality certification — confirming that VOC emissions from the installed product meet international health-based standards.
Request : FloorScore certification or equivalent, recycled content percentage, and country-of-origin documentation from WCD when specifying SPC for green-rated projects.
CERTIFICATION
Eco-Friendly Fabric : Natural Fibres and Low-Formaldehyde Treatments
Linen, cotton, and wool curtain fabric — and why fabric treatment chemicals matter on GBI IEQ assessments
Curtain and upholstery fabric contributes to GBI IEQ credit claims through two factors: the fibre composition and the chemical treatment.
Natural-fibre fabric — linen, cotton, wool blends — carries renewable-source credentials for M&R credit purposes. WCD supplies natural-fibre curtain and upholstery fabric in commercial weights.
Fabric treatment chemicals (flame retardants, crease-resistance, anti-mould) can contain formaldehyde-releasing compounds that off-gas in enclosed spaces. Request low-formaldehyde treatment confirmation from WCD at specification stage.
CERTIFICATION
Eco-Friendly Art Frames : FSC Timber and Sealed Backings
How art frame material choices contribute to M&R credits and indoor air quality
Art frames from WCD contribute to green certification in two ways.
FSC-certified timber frame mouldings carry chain-of-custody documentation that supports GBI M&R credit claims for certified-wood content.
Sealed MDF or plywood backing boards reduce formaldehyde off-gassing from the board substrate. WCD use sealed backing boards as standard on commercial frame orders.
APPROACH US
The Combined Green Documentation Pack
What WCD provides as a four-category green building documentation package
WCD prepares combined documentation packs for GBI and GreenRE projects :
VOC emission test results (wallcovering, flooring, fabric)
FloorScore/GREENGUARD certification (flooring)
Recycled content percentages
Country-of-origin documentation
FR certification (all soft finish categories)
READY TO SPECTIFY ?
Request Sample or
speak to our team
Looking for the design for your home, office, hotel, or project space? Leave your details and our team will recommend suitable designs, finishes, and collection options based on your style and wall requirements.