That familiar “new-office” smell may seem luxurious — fresh paint, polished wood, pristine furniture — but it often signals something unseen: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) quietly seeping into the air. These gases, emitted from coatings, adhesives, engineered boards, and foams, can linger indoors long after installation, subtly affecting well-being, focus, and comfort.
Modern workspace design now goes beyond visual polish. True performance lies in how a space supports the people within it — and that begins with the air they breathe.
At Rockworth, we’ve re-engineered our material choices to make interiors cleaner and safer, adopting low-VOC powder coatings, optional E1-grade engineered boards, and recycled materials such as panels and Suminoe’s ECOS® carpets. The goal is simple: furniture that looks elegant, lasts longer, and contributes to healthier indoor environments.
The Hidden Impact of VOCs Indoors
VOCs are carbon-based chemicals that vaporize easily at room temperature. They’re present in many common materials — paints, composite wood, cleaning fluids, foams, and textiles.
Because today’s offices are highly sealed and air-conditioned, these compounds accumulate, creating indoor air that can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
Even at low levels, VOCs can cause irritation, fatigue, and poor concentration; prolonged exposure may lead to respiratory sensitivity or allergies.
And since some VOCs have little or no smell, clean-smelling air isn’t necessarily healthy air. The most effective solution is to choose materials that emit less from the start.
Understanding Low-VOC in Furniture and Interiors
The phrase low-VOC refers to materials that release significantly fewer chemical vapors once installed. For commercial furniture, three categories make the greatest difference: engineered wood, surface finishes, and soft furnishings.
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Engineered Wood: Selecting E1-Grade Boards for Cleaner Air
Engineered wood forms the structure of most workstations and storage units. The adhesives that bind these boards often contain formaldehyde — a key VOC linked to eye and throat irritation.
European regulations classify boards by their emission levels. E1-grade panels, tested under EN 717-1 and EN 13986, restrict formaldehyde release to ≤ 0.124 mg/m³. They are the preferred choice for interior use in spaces where people spend long hours.
At Rockworth, E1-grade engineered boards are available as a project-specific option for clients seeking enhanced indoor-air standards. They are ideal for workplaces pursuing WELL, LEED, or IGBC certification, or any organisation that simply values healthier environments for its teams.
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Metal Finishes: Advanced Powder Coating with 80–90 Micron Thickness
Metal legs, frames, and structural components are often coated with solvent-based paints that release VOCs during drying.
Rockworth replaces these with an advanced nano-tech powder-coating process — a dry-finish technology that eliminates solvents altogether. The powder is electrostatically applied and then heat-cured, fusing into a tough, uniform film.
Our process delivers 80–90 microns of coating thickness, significantly higher than the industry standard. This thicker, denser layer provides superior edge coverage, scratch resistance, and long-term colour retention.
Just as importantly, it produces less than 1 percent VOC emissions during application — a dramatic reduction compared to conventional liquid coatings.
The result is a surface that performs exceptionally well in durability tests, resists corrosion, and supports a cleaner manufacturing environment. In short, it’s a finish that looks better, lasts longer, and helps everyone breathe easier.
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Carpets and Soft Finishes: Sustainability Underfoot
Floor coverings and acoustic panels can also contribute to VOC buildup through dyes and backings. Rockworth partners with Suminoe, a Japanese pioneer in sustainable textile innovation, to offer ECOS® carpet tiles made with horizontal-recycling technology and offers Triple Fresh technology, which breaks down formaldehyde and other pollutants into non-toxic elements.
This closed-loop process converts post-consumer carpet tiles back into new ones, maintaining quality while achieving one of the highest recycled-content ratios in the world. The ECOS® range combines comfort and sound absorption with minimal emissions — proof that aesthetics, sustainability, and health can coexist beautifully.
Rockworth’s Material Philosophy: Design That Breathes
Healthy interiors result from a thousand thoughtful decisions. At Rockworth, we design products that support wellness not only through form and ergonomics but through material science.
E1 Panels
For projects focused on low-formaldehyde interiors, we recommend and supply E1-grade particle boards or MDF. These panels help reduce background emissions and form a strong foundation for clean-air design.
Low-VOC Powder Coating as Standard
Every Rockworth metal component uses low-VOC powder coating — the same process that achieves 80–90 micron thickness and best-in-class finish performance.
Recycled Panels and Carpets
Through Suminoe’s ECOS® line and recycled-PET acoustic panels, we integrate materials that close the loop on waste while keeping emissions minimal.
Modular, Adhesive-Lite Construction
By engineering systems for mechanical assembly, we cut down on glues and chemical fixatives — a quiet but major contributor to better indoor air.
Why Air Quality Defines Modern Design?
Two workspaces can look identical, yet one feels lighter and more pleasant simply because of what’s inside the materials.
When low-VOC solutions are adopted:
- Occupancy is faster: Little to no residual odour means teams can move in immediately after installation.
- People feel better: Lower exposure translates to fewer complaints of irritation or fatigue.
- The brand feels premium: Visitors notice freshness even if they can’t name it — a subtle hallmark of quality and care.
- Maintenance is lower: Powder-coated metal and recycled carpets outlast conventional finishes, reducing replacement costs.
In today’s offices, comfort and productivity depend as much on air quality as on furniture design.
How to Specify Healthier Materials?
For architects and procurement leads, integrating low-VOC standards early simplifies compliance later.
A quick guide for your next fit-out:
- Engineered Boards: Specify E1-grade or equivalent; request emission test certificates (EN 717-1).
- Metal Components: Require powder coatings with < 1 % VOC emissions and minimum 80 µm thickness.
- Carpets: Choose recycled content with documented low-emission backing (e.g., Suminoe ECOS®).
- Adhesives: Prefer water-based or low-VOC formulations; limit use through modular joinery.
- Documentation: Maintain VOC and sustainability declarations for ESG and wellness reporting.
These small clauses in tender documents make a large difference once the space is occupied.
Powder Coating: Clean Technology, Lasting Strength
Powder coating doesn’t just look refined — it’s a cleaner production method from start to finish.
Because the powder contains no solvents, it emits almost no hazardous gases. Overspray can be recovered and reused, ensuring near-zero waste.
Our 80–90-micron application thickness ensures better edge protection and uniformity than conventional 50–60-micron coatings. Combined with our low-VOC curing process, it sets a new benchmark for finish quality in Indian furniture manufacturing.
Suminoe Carpets: Closing the Loop Responsibly
Rockworth’s tie-up with Suminoe represents our belief that sustainability must be proven, not promised.
The ECOS® range uses reclaimed material from post-use tiles to create new ones of identical performance — a horizontal recycling method that keeps material in use and out of landfills.
These carpets also feature low-VOC backings, require minimal adhesive and have triple fresh technology to convert formaldehyde and odors to non-toxic elements , making it more eco friendly. The outcome: a workspace that feels soft, quiet, and noticeably fresher.
Common Myths About Low-VOC Materials
“Low-VOC means higher cost.”
With evolving technology, pricing is on par with conventional options — and extended durability often lowers total ownership cost.
“If it doesn’t smell, it’s safe.”
Many VOCs are odourless. True safety depends on tested emission data, not fragrance.
“Verification is difficult.”
Reputable manufacturers provide clear VOC certificates and E1 compliance reports. At Rockworth, this transparency is standard practice.
Our Commitments in Action:
- E1-grade boards offered as a client-specified option for low-emission projects
- Low-VOC nano-tech powder coating with 80–90 µm thickness applied across all metal parts
- Recycled materials integrated through global partnerships such as Suminoe ECOS®
- Transparency in emission and sustainability data for every major component
- Modular design that minimises adhesives and simplifies recycling
Air Quality: The Next Benchmark of Good Design
Workplace wellness has evolved from chairs and lighting to the very air inside the building. As awareness and standards grow, low-VOC materials are no longer an upgrade — they are the new baseline.
For Rockworth, this shift aligns perfectly with our design philosophy: to build spaces that serve people, perform beautifully, and leave a lighter footprint. Our investments in cleaner coatings, responsible sourcing, and circular materials are helping organizations achieve exactly that.
The Air That Speaks for Itself
The difference between an ordinary office and a Rockworth workspace isn’t always visible — it’s in the quiet comfort of cleaner air, the absence of harsh smells, and the enduring finish of every surface.
When design meets science, the result is a workplace that supports focus, well-being, and sustainability — all at once.
Rockworth — Workspaces That Look Good, Feel Better, and Breathe Best.