The Cali Vinyl Plus pictured below has a true WPC core that they call BPC (bamboo plastic composite) which is made with bamboo fibers. The primary difference between most WPC and SPC core floors is that WPC contains a lighter extruded or foamed plastic core, while SPC contains a solid denser core with more limestone.
Wood-like plasticizers can be used instead of the wood fiber. The WPC core is usually made from PVC, limestone, plasticizers, a foaming agent (like formamide), and wood-like or wood materials such as wood flour. Only a few brands have WPC (wood plastic composite) – they were originally made with real wood or cork dust but now most of them don’t contain plant-based fibers. You will have to check which glues the brand recommends and will warranty it with but most of them are zero VOC when cured. I have also seen Armstrong “Good” line which is similar. The ones pictured below are Shaw brand 6 mil Resilient Vinyl plank Flooring. I have seen some vinyl plank that still has phthalates, so be sure to check to make sure it’s phthalate-free and made of virgin vinyl. But you do have to consider the glues used as a source of offgassing (at least until it’s fully cured). This type of vinyl has less offgassing of VOCs compared to LVP in my estimation, this is only due to the fact that there is less of it! I would certainly consider this an ultra love VOC product. It’s more flexible than luxury vinyl plank (but not as flexible as vinyl that comes in a roll) and is installed by a glue-down method. Vinyl plank or resilient vinyl plank is a much thinner product than a luxury vinyl plank. Vinyl Plank (as Opposed to Luxury Vinyl Plank) Vinyl plank comes in two main types: resilient vinyl plank and luxury vinyl plank. It’s one of the top products to avoid in a healthy home in my opinion. Sheet vinyl, the very flexible kind that comes in large rolls is way higher in offgassing. There is a huge difference between vinyl plank and sheet vinyl flooring. Whether vinyl plank should be considered toxic depends on your threshold for toxins in the home and our knowledge is also limited by the current research and understanding of the new plasticizers – which we will discuss.
The most common plasticizer used now is DOTP. Most of it is phthalate-free now – though phthalates were replaced with alternate plasticizers. I pick up the chemical odor off every brand I have sampled (they are all very similar) and I do have concerns about plasticizers (which all brands contain) and small amounts of metals, explained further in the article. Most people find it odorless, but those like me with a high sense of smell can certainly pick up the offgassing. Vinyl Plank, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are very low in VOCs and offgassing.