ARTRA Asbestos Trust

The Synkoloid Company — later acquired by the ARTRA Group — manufactured asbestos-containing paint, varnish, adhesive, and asphalt between 1949 and 1976.

The high levels of asbestos in Synkoloid products endangered not only employees and their family members but consumers, including painters, carpenters, drywallers, and plasterers.

Asbestos exposure can lead to the development of severe illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer, often decades after the exposure occurred. If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, complete the form below to check your eligibility for ARTRA trust fund compensation.

Artra Asbestos Trust History

Artra’s history with asbestos began in 1975 when the company purchased Synkoloid, which manufactured dozens of asbestos-containing products.

Artra, which had underestimated the huge asbestos liability it would face, became financially responsible for injuries caused by Synkoloid’s asbestos products.

In 1981, the Muralo Company purchased Synkoloid but refused to take responsibility for past asbestos claims. By late 2000, Artra was facing more than 46,000 Synkoloid asbestos lawsuits.

Muralo contributed $2.5 million to the Artra trust to cover some of the liabilities. The remaining funding for the trust came from insurance companies.

Key information of ARTRA:

• Compensation: If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos through Synkoloid (later acquired by ARTRA) products or activities, you may be eligible for compensation. 
• Products: The Synkoloid Company manufactured asbestos-contaminated paint, varnish, adhesive, and asphalt until the mid-1970s. 
• Occupations: Beyond Synkoloid employees involved in manufacturing, end-users, such as painters, plasterers, drywall installers, and carpenters, also faced a significant risk of asbestos-related injuries.
• Get Help Today: Contact us today for a free case evaluation to determine your potential eligibility for compensation. 

Synkoloid Asbestos Products

The earliest Synkoloid products, including joint compounds and spackles, were sold in powder form to be reconstituted with water. Asbestos exposure happened to unwitting Synkoloid product users from the dry powder form.

The following Synkoloid goods have been identified by the trust to contain asbestos:

• Tex-Wall
• EZE-Tex
• Prime ‘N Fill
• Snohide
• Plastibond
• Surface Conditioner
• Cement Patch Tex-Add
• Vinyl Prep Mix
• Flexi Patch
• Kool-Kap
• Vinyl Tex-Wall
• Vinyl Prime ‘N Fill
• Vinyl Roof Paint
• Triple Duty Joint Compound Synko-Topping

Even though Synkoloid products containing asbestos have not been produced for years, many remain in homes and businesses today. Products that were used years ago for repairs become dry and brittle.

The asbestos-containing product becomes friable (easily crumbled), which increases the risk of exposure.

To qualify for an Artra trust payment, claimants must prove they came into contact with one of the above products before Jan. 1, 1983. Claimants must document their occupation and industry where the Artra exposure occurred.

High-Risk Industries & Occupations

Synkoloid’s products were primarily used on residential and commercial jobs sites meaning that anyone coming into contact with materials on these sites could have been exposed.

The main jobs that were at the highest risk of asbestos exposure include:

• Painters
• Carpenters
• Drywall Finishers
• Plasterers

Lawsuits Faced by Synkoloid

Synkoloid’s use of asbestos containing products from 1949-1976 resulted in so many lawsuits, that eventually they were forced to file for bankruptcy. One case in particular set the tone for lawsuits against Synkoloid and partners.

John Henry Pace was a contractor from the 1960s to ‘70s, when these products were commonly being used. After Pace was diagnosed with asbestosis, an incurable lung disease, he filed the suit.

During the lawsuit jurors found out that Synkoloid had been warned by suppliers about the dangers of asbestos, but did nothing. This meant that thousands continued to be exposed to these products until 1975.

Pace was awarded a total of $2 million for past/future mental anguish, physical suffering and future medical care.

Artra Trust Payments

The ARTRA trust accepts claims for six levels of asbestos-related diseases. Claimants must meet medical and exposure requirements to receive compensation.

Like other asbestos trusts, ARTRA has established a payment percentage to ensure that it can fairly and equitably pay all current and future claims. 

When the ARTRA trust launched, it set the payment percentage at 7.5%. As of 2025, the trustees have reduced the payment percentage to 0.7% to preserve funds for future claimants.

The ARTEA trust processes claims on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. As of April 1, 2025, all claimants must pay a $50.00 filing fee. If the trust approves the claim for payment, it will refund the filing fee. 

The ARTRA trust offers both expedited and individual review. However, as of September 13, 2011, the ARTRA Trust has eliminated the Individual Review process for all claims except Foreign Claims.

Artra established the following settlement amounts:

ARTRA Individual Claim Review

Like other asbestos trusts, ARTRA has established a payment percentage to ensure that it can fairly and equitably pay all current and future claims. 

When the ARTRA trust launched, the payment percentage was set at 7.5%. 

As of 2025, the trustees have reduced the payment percentage to 0.5% to ensure compensation for future claimants. For current claimants, when the payment percentage is applied to a $275,000 mesothelioma claim, the actual payout would be $1,375..

ARTRA Expedited Claim Review

Individuals who filed for an expedited review must submit specific information, including medical records, doctors’ reports, and proof of exposure. Claimants learn the results of their financial request within 90 days of submission.

Successful claimants receive a standardized payment amount called the scheduled value, based on their disease level. 

Scheduled values for expedited review claims:

How to File Artra Claim

Anyone who suspects they have been exposed to Synkoloid’s asbestos-containing products and diagnosed with an associated disease should file a claim to the Artra trust.

The funds in the trust have been set aside to help victims financially. Trust fund settlements can be used to pay household bills, medical bills or any other expenses.

Since filing an Artra claim can be confusing, many claimants choose to use an attorney with experience handling asbestos trusts.

These attorneys guide families through the complicated process to get the financial compensation they are deserved. Attorneys help claimants understand their legal and financial rights regarding trust payments.

Contact us today for a free consultation with an attorney who understands the intricacies of an asbestos claim.

Written & Legally Reviewed By

Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. Attorney and On-Site Legal Advocate

Daniel Wasserberg was a New York metropolitan area “Super Lawyer Rising Star” from 2013 to 2018 (attorneys under age 40), and a Super Lawyer in 2019. In 2017, Daniel was named a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by the National Trial Lawyers organization. This recognition is rarely awarded to attorneys under the age of 40. Daniel is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer, and is often asked to speak at gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar.

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