At this year’s ISSA Show North America, Green Seal announced a major industry milestone — the first floor care products certified to be formulated without any per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Among the leaders driving this achievement is Midlab, whose Maxim Zinc-Free High Traffic Floor Finish became one of the first products verified under our new PFAS criteria.
We sat down with Matt Schenk (President & CEO) and Jamey Gaston (Vice President of Quality, Science, and Regulatory Affairs) from Midlab to learn more about how the company formulated its product without PFAS, what this certification means for customers, and how innovation in safer chemistry is shaping the future of floor care.
What prompted Midlab to explore PFAS alternatives?
At Midlab, sustainability has never been a marketing tagline, it’s part of our DNA. We’ve always strived to lead the industry in real, measurable sustainable practices. Our journey toward no added PFAS formulations was a natural extension of that commitment.
We were among the first cleaning chemical manufacturers to achieve LEED® Gold certification for our manufacturing facility, demonstrating our dedication to responsible operations and environmental stewardship. We also served on several early sustainability steering committees, worked closely with the University of Tennessee to advance sustainable cleaning practices, and were proud to be part of the first certification under Green Seal GS-42 for cleaning services.
Our drive to eliminate PFAS aligns with the same forward-thinking mindset that led us to reduce plastic waste through innovations like our FlexMax® packaging, which replaces rigid plastic containers with lighter, more sustainable alternatives.
In short, exploring PFAS alternatives was a proactive decision, not because regulations required it, but because leadership in sustainability requires anticipating challenges and developing safer, smarter solutions for our customers and the planet.
What were the biggest challenges in formulating your floor finish without PFAS?
PFAS compounds have historically played a key role in helping finishes spread uniformly, especially when applied with simple tools like string mops. Replacing that functionality without sacrificing performance required deep formulation expertise.
Our scientists researched various alternatives to identify suitable materials that delivered the same smooth, even coating and long-lasting gloss across multiple surfaces such as terrazzo, vinyl composition tile, and linoleum under varying conditions and through multiple coats.
Achieving that level of performance consistently without adding PFAS to our formulations was a scientific and engineering challenge, but one we met with determinations and innovation.
What does this milestone mean for Midlab’s customers and the industry as a whole?
This milestone affirms our belief that embracing and driving change matters. Developing one of the first no added PFAS, third-party certified floor finish isn’t just a product achievement; it’s proof that sustainable innovation and performance can coexist.
For our customers, it means confidence. Confidence that the products they rely on every day are safer for people, better for the environment, and compliant with emerging regulations without sacrificing results. It’s a direct reflection of our commitment to protect not only the surfaces being cleaned, but also the people who use these products and the occupants of the spaces they maintain.
For the industry, it signals meaningful progress. We’re proud to stand alongside other great industry leaders, such as Spartan Chemical and others, who share this commitment to sustainable chemistry. Together, we’re demonstrating that our industry truly cares about the full life cycle of our products, from raw materials and packaging to performance and end use.
Ultimately, this milestone represents a collective shift toward accountability, transparency, and environmental responsibility that benefits everyone, from manufacturers to end users to the communities we serve.
Why was Green Seal certification the right fit for Midlab’s sustainability goals?
Green Seal was a natural fit for Midlab because they share our core belief that true sustainability and high performance go hand in hand. Like us, they understand that our industry must not only embrace change, but also lead it.
For more than three decades, Green Seal has set the benchmark for environmental responsibility in cleaning and facility care. Their long history of credibility and scientific rigor made them one of the first and most respected voices driving sustainability across our industry. That credibility matters to us and to our customers.
Partnering with Green Seal ensures that our no added PFAS innovations are independently verified, giving customers the assurance that our products meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and environmental stewardship.
In many ways, pursuing Green Seal certification was not just about earning a label; it was about aligning with an organization that shares our vision for the future of professional cleaning, a future where sustainability is the standard, not the exception.
What advice would you give to other manufacturers exploring product innovation to avoid PFAS?
My advice is simple: invest in the future of the industry. Don’t view PFAS removal as a compliance exercise; see it as an opportunity to lead.
Innovation should always aim for better performance and improved sustainability, not one at the expense of the other. That means investing in new chemistry, testing, and collaboration early in the process, even when the path isn’t easy or immediately profitable. Our industry has a responsibility to protect the people who use our products and the environments they impact. By striving for cleaner, safer, high-performing solutions today, manufacturers can help shape a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow for the entire cleaning industry.