Bondex / RPM International Asbestos Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the Bondex Trust
About the Bondex Trust
Bondex International (a subsidiary of RPM International) manufactured asbestos-containing joint compounds, sealants, and patching compounds from the 1950s through about 1980. Bondex products were used by drywall installers, painters, plasterers, and general construction workers nationwide. The company's joint compounds competed directly with USG and Kaiser Gypsum products in the construction trade.
Following extensive asbestos personal injury litigation, RPM/Bondex went through a complex reorganization, and the Bondex/RPM International Asbestos Trust was finally established in 2014. The trust pays at 14% pro rata on a $60,000 scheduled mesothelioma value, producing estimated payouts of $7,000–$9,500 per claim.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The Bondex/RPM Trust is a primary filing for drywall installers, tapers, painters, and plasterers — the same construction-trade cohort as the USG and Kaiser Gypsum trusts. Multi-trust filing across all three joint compound trusts is standard for drywall claimants.
Products and exposure sources covered
The trust covers Bondex joint compounds (sold under multiple brand names), sealants, patching compounds, and various asbestos-containing finishing products manufactured during the 1950-1980 exposure window. Joint compound exposure is the largest claim category — drywall installers mixed dry powder (creating dust) and sanded the cured product (creating more dust).
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Joint compound
- Sealants
- Patching compounds
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the Bondex Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to Bondex Trust products during the trust's covered exposure window (1950–1980)
- Work history records placing you at a job site where these products were used (employer records, union records, witness statements, military service records)
- Medical documentation (pathology reports, imaging, treating physician records)
Drywall installers and tapers have direct exposure paths. Painters who finished walls had secondary exposure during sanding operations. Plasterers and ceiling-texture applicators are similarly well-positioned. General construction workers who worked alongside drywall trades on multi-trade construction projects can have eligible exposure documentation. Most drywall claimants qualify for USG, Kaiser Gypsum, and Bondex/RPM simultaneously.
How to file with the Bondex Trust
- Gather documentation — diagnosis records, work history, military service records (DD-214), product identification
- Complete the trust's claim form — Each trust has its own form
- File with all applicable trusts — multi-trust filing simultaneously is the standard approach
- Trust review — typically 3–9 months
- Payment — typically 2–6 months after approval
Most claimants qualify for several trusts, not just one. Filing with all applicable trusts at once maximizes total compensation. Start your free case review and we'll identify every applicable trust for your specific work history.
Compensation amounts
Reported scheduled value for mesothelioma claims: $60,000. The trust's current pro rata payment percentage is 14%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $7,000–$9,500.
These figures are based on Trust Distribution Procedures (TDPs) and historical payout data. Pro rata percentages can change. Actual recovery varies by case factors including diagnosis severity, exposure documentation, and trust funding levels at the time of payment. Past payouts do not guarantee future amounts.
Common qualifying occupations
The Bondex Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The Bondex Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to joint compound were also exposed to products covered by other bankruptcy trusts. Filing with multiple trusts simultaneously is standard practice and significantly increases total compensation.
Related trusts that often apply alongside the Bondex Trust
- USG Trust — 30% pro rata, est. payout $18,000–$24,000
- Kaiser Gypsum Trust — 20% pro rata, est. payout $12,000–$16,000
- Johns Manville Trust — 5.1% pro rata, est. payout $1,100–$4,500
- Owens Corning / Fibreboard Trust — 26.2% pro rata, est. payout $45,000–$70,000
- W.R. Grace Trust — 31% pro rata, est. payout $50,000–$65,000
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The Bondex Trust generally accepts claims on a rolling basis with no fixed annual deadline, though the trust may modify procedures from time to time. The applicable statute of limitations for the underlying asbestos claim depends on your state of residence and typically runs from the date of diagnosis (1–3 years in most states for personal injury; longer for wrongful death in some jurisdictions).
Always verify current deadlines with the trust administrator or a licensed attorney before filing. We track deadlines for our clients so you don't miss a filing window.
Frequently asked questions
I was a drywall installer in the 1970s. Should I file with Bondex if I already filed with USG?
Yes — file with all applicable joint compound trusts. Most drywall installers used products from multiple manufacturers throughout their careers (USG was dominant but not exclusive). Bondex/RPM, Kaiser Gypsum, and Synkoloid all covered competing products. Multi-trust filing significantly increases total compensation.
How is Bondex different from USG?
USG was the dominant U.S. joint compound manufacturer (Sheetrock brand). Bondex was a major competitor selling similar products through hardware and contractor supply channels. Both contained chrysotile asbestos during the asbestos era, and exposure documentation is similar for both.
Can painters file Bondex claims?
Yes. Painters who finished walls before priming/painting routinely sanded joint compound seams and patches, generating asbestos dust. Long-term painting trades from the 1955-1980 era typically have eligible exposure documentation across multiple joint compound trusts.
What documentation works for a Bondex claim?
Employment records showing duties as drywall installer, painter, or finisher. Union records (if applicable). Witness statements from coworkers who can identify product brands used. Photos or invoices showing product purchases. The trust accepts a range of evidence — exact-product-identification can be supplemented by industry-typical-products documentation.
My grandfather did drywall work — can I file as his survivor?
Yes. Wrongful death claims are accepted by the Bondex/RPM Trust with appropriate documentation: marriage/family records, death certificate showing meso/asbestos cause, and work history establishing exposure during the trust's coverage period.
Sources and verification
Information on this page is based on publicly available Trust Distribution Procedures (TDPs), bankruptcy court Plans of Reorganization (PACER), trust annual reports, and RAND Institute for Civil Justice asbestos trust research. Reviewed quarterly.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-03 · Next scheduled review: 2026-08-03
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