OMN OMNOVA Solutions Inc

OMNOVA Solutions Introduces brease(TM), a Breathable Vinyl Wallcovering, Designed to Address Mold and Mildew Issues FAIRLAWN, Ohio, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to increasing mold and mildew concerns within the architectural and design communities, OMNOVA Solutions Inc. has introduced the first breathable woven vinyl wallcovering. Called "brease(TM)," the new wallcovering is made with approximately 60 percent less vinyl than traditional commercial wallcoverings. Its alternative construction provides higher perm ratings for greater moisture permeability. OMNOVA will introduce the new product to the interiors industry at the 2004 Hospitality Design Show in Las Vegas. OMNOVA, a leader in the design and manufacture of commercial wallcoverings and other decorative products, is known for creating environmentally sensitive products that do not compromise performance. "Addressing mold and mildew concerns is one of the biggest challenges in our industry today," said Patti Francis, director of marketing for OMNOVA Solutions' Decorative Products business. While no wall surfacing material can prevent mold and mildew in cases where excess moisture is permitted to accumulate in a wall, she believes that "brease, with its higher levels of permeability, will become the product of choice for design professionals who wish to employ an additional safeguard in their designs." brease wall surface appears to combine the most important features for a decorative wall surface: beautiful designs and textures, durability and cleanability, and adds the breathability of many paints. Its unique physical properties put the brease wall surface in a "class of its own." While meeting Type I weight specification, it possesses the stain resistance, strength, and durability of a Type III wallcovering. OMNOVA expects designers to be attracted to the product's high perm ratings, reduced vinyl content and captivating good looks. Breathable In recent years, OMNOVA recognized a need among its key architectural clients for a breathable product that could help address the issues surrounding mold and mildew. Conventional vinyl wallcovering has little or no moisture permeability which has been an important characteristic in terms of cleanability and wall protection. However, if moisture accumulates in a wall -- due to poor design, construction, maintenance, or other circumstances -- conventional vinyl wallcovering can potentially act as a vapor barrier restricting the escape of moisture. Because of its higher permeability, brease wallcovering does not act as a vapor barrier. "Some design professionals have moved away from conventional vinyl wallcoverings for exterior walls and have begun specifying paint instead," Francis said. "While paint may be more breathable (depending on the type and number of coats) than conventional wallcovering, it does not provide designers with the desired aesthetics or lasting durability they prefer." Francis explained that, because paint needs continual touch ups, it does not deliver the same long-term cost-effectiveness as vinyl wall surfaces and its breathability can be diminished with subsequent repainting and touchups. "brease is the first product to offer professionals a breathable and attractive -- yet still scrubbable and durable -- wall surface solution that is as easy to install as traditional vinyl," Francis says. Durability, permeability and lifetime value The hospitality and healthcare industries, as well as educational institutions in hot, humid climates, will be the key market targets for brease wall surfaces. But OMNOVA expects the product's appeal to extend well beyond those segments and geographic areas as well. "When evaluating wall surface alternatives, design professionals can't look at just the aesthetics of a product anymore," explains Al Restaino, OMNOVA Solutions' general manager for commercial wallcoverings. "Nowadays, designers have far more to consider when making wall treatment decisions, including durability, permeability and lifetime value. We hope they consider brease." brease wall surfaces are available under OMNOVA's well-known TOWER(R), LANARK(R), GENON(R), ESSEX(TM) and BOLTA(R) commercial wallcovering brands as well as a custom designed wall surface. A launch breakfast for brease wall surfaces will be held from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Friday, April 30, in the Marco Polo Ballroom of the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas. If you are interested in attending, call 330.869.4529 for more information and to RSVP. OMNOVA Solutions is a world leader in the design, development and production of a wide range of decorative and building products for numerous commercial, industrial and residential applications. The company's wallcovering products are sold through distributors to an international customer base that includes interior designers, architects, building and remodeling contractors, construction specifiers, building owners and property managers. OMNOVA Solutions is a technology-based company with 2003 sales of $683 million and 2,100 employees worldwide. OMNOVA is a major innovator of decorative and functional surfaces, emulsion polymers and specialty chemicals. For more information about OMNOVA Solutions, visit http://www.omnova.com/ . DATASOURCE: OMNOVA Solutions Inc. CONTACT: Patti Francis, Marketing-Wallcovering, +1-330-869-4544, or , or Sandi Noah, Communications, +1-330-869-4292, both of OMNOVA Solutions Inc. Web site: http://www.omnova.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/143306.html

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