HICKORY, N.C. Dec. 16, 2008 – On Tuesday, Shurtape Technologies announced it now has a highly sought patent and trademark licensing agreement with Inspired Technologies. This agreement gives Shurtape exclusive rights to manufacture and market award-winning FrogTape in the United States, Canada and parts of Europe.In a short period of time, FrogTape has created excitement among retailers and painters across the nation. Shurtape is a leading manufacturer of painter’s tapes for pro paint and home improvement markets. This agreement will further expand FrogTape’s availability in professional paint, hardware and home improvement centers.
FrogTape is the only painter’s masking tape with PaintBlock Technology, a super-absorbent polymer similar to what’s used in diapers to keep babies dry. PaintBlock reacts instantly with latex paint, forming a micro barrier along the tape edge. That barrier helps prevent paint from bleeding under the tape, saving painters both time and money and providing professional results. FrogTape has received numerous awards, including one of Popular Science magazine’s coveted Best of What’s New awards.
“This is the first game-changing product in the tape industry in years,” said Shurtape CEO Jim Shuford. “We tested FrogTape when it debuted and quickly realized its performance is superior. We believe FrogTape establishes a new benchmark in pro painter’s tapes and will quickly become a household name.”
To see a video of how quickly PaintBlock absorbs water and turns it to gel, go to www.frogtape.com. (Under “video archive,” watch the “PaintBlock demo video.”)
Inspired Technologies President David Wagner said, “People are sometimes skeptical until they see the demonstration and then realize that it’s not just another tape, it’s technology.”
Shurtape designs, develops and manufactures pressure-sensitive tape and tape products for numerous markets including industrial, packaging, HVAC, professional paint, arts and entertainment and retail.
Several companies were interested in acquiring the license for the technology, but Wagner said he chose Shurtape because the two companies had similar visions and he respected Shurtape’s integrity within the industry.
“Shurtape has always been respected as a production expert,” Wagner said of Shurtape. “And, like us, they’re innovators.”
Shurtape Technologies HVAC Tapes Surpass LEED® Credit Targets From U.S. Green Building Council
HICKORY, N. C., July 21, 2008 – Based on testing at independent labs, seven HVAC tapes manufactured by Shurtape Technologies have been qualified for and contribute to green building credits issued by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) based on requirements for the association’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) program. Shurtape is the first HVAC tape producer to demonstrate this capability. Many municipal, state, and national building codes now require environmentally-friendly building materials that qualify for “green” credits. Products that are eligible for LEED credits are routinely specified by mechanical engineers in construction plans, in order to reduce harmful air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOC), cut energy usage, and save water.
Shurtape’s manufacturing process, which is the reason the HVAC tapes are credit-eligible, predominately uses water-based adhesives that do not emit VOCs. When specifications require the use of solvent-based adhesives, the company’s manufacturing process recaptures and destroys air-borne toxins through regenerative thermal oxidization (RTO), greatly reduces emissions.
“Since we began manufacturing tape in 1955, we have had a commitment to reducing the impact of our processes and products on the environment,” said Stephen Shuford, Shurtape’s Executive Vice President. “From the installation of our first solvent-recovery system in 1967, to the completion of our two newest plants, we have consistently invested in a greener tomorrow. Our contribution for LEED credits is important for us and our customers, who will benefit from the credits, as well as from affiliation with suppliers who demonstrate environmental stewardship.”
Shurtape’s portfolio of HVAC tapes that contribute to LEED credits include:
• AF 100 Aluminum Foil Tape – UL181A-P/B-FX
• AF 973 Aluminum Foil Tape
• AF 982 FSK Tape
• DC 181 Flex Film Duct Tape – UL181B-FX
• PC 857 HVAC Professional Grade Duct Tape – UL181B-FX
• PC 609 Industrial Grade Cloth Duct Tape
• LS 300 Line Set Tape – UV Resistant
When these HVAC tapes are combined with other reduced-VOC adhesives and sealants used throughout a building, that building is eligible to receive credit toward LEED certification. In commercial buildings the credit is one point; in residential construction, the credit is one-half point. Final credits are awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council upon project evaluation.
LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Points are awarded for specific practices in each area and are verified by an independent third party. Depending on the number of points earned, a building is awarded a certified, silver, gold or platinum ranking.
The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non profit composed of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings and communities that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.
Shurtape Technologies LLC, headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina, produces 700 million square yards of tape annually – enough to wrap a two-inch strip around the world more than 280 times. With facilities in the United States, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Peru, United Arab Emirates and China, Shurtape is a designer, developer and manufacturer of pressure sensitive tape and tape products. The company services numerous markets including industrial, packaging, HVAC, professional paint, auto, marine, aerospace, arts and entertainment, and retail. www.shurtape.com