At Charter Next Generation (CNG), we know that every breath we take is precious, which is why clean air is critical to our health — a health that enables a life filled with cherished moments.

Movie nights with family, friendships in the workplace, watching a loved one receive a high school diploma –– whatever the occasion, CNG leverages next-level ingenuity and industry-leading technology to ensure every breath we take during life’s most treasured moments is one of healthy and clean air.

Beneath our homes and workplaces lies soil. Soil that is alive and, when managed properly, results in nutrient-rich fields that farmers worldwide rely on and our food supply chain depends upon. In construction, soil is managed differently to create a foundation for stunning architecture, including homes, skyscrapers, hotels, sporting arenas, distribution centers, airports, and much more. This foundational soil, essential in transforming blueprints into buildings, has insidious byproducts that threaten the luxury of clean air we expect to breathe inside the buildings where we spend much of our lives.

Radon, methane gas, and mold spores are undeniably hazardous to human health when inhaled. Exposure to trace amounts over time has proven to lead to disease and diminished quality of life.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally from decaying uranium in soil, rock, and water. It seeps into buildings through cracks and openings in the foundation, accumulating to dangerous levels. Exposure to high levels of radon over time increases the risk of lung cancer, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Because it is invisible and cannot be detected without specialized tests, preventative measures are crucial.

Methane (CH₄), a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas, is the main component of natural gas and is produced by the decomposition of organic matter in environments with little or no oxygen. While methane itself is not highly toxic, it poses significant risks due to its asphyxiating and explosive nature in high concentrations.

Mold, a type of fungus that thrives in moist environments, can grow on various surfaces, including wood floors, drywall, paper, carpet, and food. Mold reproduces by releasing tiny spores into the air, which can be inhaled by humans. Mold poses several health hazards, such as allergic reactions, asthma attacks, respiratory problems, neurological symptoms, and immune system suppression.

At this moment, we should all take a deep breath (of clean air) and relax. Because at Charter Next Generation, we are dedicated to safeguarding our air from toxins and fighting for a healthier tomorrow. Through the use of polymer and revolutionary material science, CNG helps make sure clean air in our homes and workplaces is ever-present and, quite directly, an afterthought.

Harnessing the power of relentless research and development, careful resin and additive selection by CNG’s experts, and manufacturing prowess, CNG delivers sub-level concrete underlayment solutions that work to contain noxious gasses while allowing the correct level of moisture permeance for concrete slab curing and setting. The soil is alive, and so is CNG’s underlayment film, acting as the interface between Earth and the buildings we use every day.

The application of underlayment occurs early in the construction project, and the underlayment material remains with the building for its entire existence. Qualified by third-party laboratories, CNG underlayment material utilizes EVOH in a coextruded blend of virgin resins and other additives to achieve gas suppression that far exceeds ASTM E-1745 standards, surpassing all Class A, B, and C requirements. In fact, CNG underslab films are more than 100 times less permeable than typical high-performance polyethylene vapor retarders against methane, radon, and other harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Engineered with the close advisement and support of contractors and industry experts, CNG concrete underlayment materials embody the puncture, tear, and tensile properties demanded by the jobsite. Additionally, our water vapor transmission rate is precisely tuned to mitigate mold formation while allowing concrete to set.

While a vapor barrier underlayment isn’t the sole reason for clean air in our buildings, CNG concrete underlayment materials serve as the essential first line of defense to keep our people, community, and planet safe. Our unending innovation and ground-breaking solutions ensure our customers and their customers can always breathe easy. Enhancing daily lives by bringing material solutions to life.

Charter Next Generation. Solutions Materialized. Life Enhanced.