Most recent certification based on new life cycle analysis
INVISTA, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of nylon and the
manufacturer of ANTRON® carpet fibre, announced today the recertification of ANTRON® carpet fibre as
an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) by the U.S.-based Scientific Certification Systems (SCS).
Originally certified in 2002, ANTRON® carpet fibre was the first carpet face fibre to achieve EPP
certification, and the only carpet fibre to ever achieve recertification, now for three consecutive cycles.
ANTRON® carpet fibre recertification was based on a comprehensive cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment
(LCA) conducted by U.S.-based Boustead Consulting Ltd., a renowned third-party research firm with
more than 35 years of experience in LCA consulting worldwide.
“Receipt of EPP certification for ANTRON® carpet fibre is an important accomplishment for our business,
as it validates our efforts to lead the industry with credible environmental offerings,” said Bobby Berrier,
vice president, commercial interiors for INVISTA based in the U.S. “It’s a great example of the diligence
we put behind our claims. It took a tremendous amount of time, effort and investment, but we believe it
is the right approach, given the need for greater transparency among the many claims that are made in
our industry today.”
“Consistent with our guiding principle of integrity, INVISTA strives to make no marketing claim unless we
can back it up with validated facts derived from sound analytical methodology,” continued Berrier. “It is
the way we operate. For the ANTRON® carpet fibre brand, it permeates all we say and do.”
“We are very proud of receiving recertification for the third consecutive time as it’s a further
demonstration to our commitment to environmental protection,” said William Yeoh, vice president
INVISTA Performance Surfaces and Materials Asia Pacific based in Singapore.
EPP Certification takes a holistic approach to environmental stewardship, rather than focus on a single
attribute. Upon review of the data, ANTRON® carpet fibre achieved EPP certification after SCS concluded
that ANTRON® carpet fibre meets or exceeds the stringent EPP requirements in all five areas of
evaluation: product manufacturing, resource conservation, human health impacts, end-of-life
responsibility and product performance.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved new standards for sustainable carpet,
known as NSF-140-2007, which is the first multi-attribute standard for environmentally preferable
building materials in the construction industry. Using up to 25 percent EPP materials contributes points
toward certification under this American National Standard in the same proportion as post consumer
recycled content or bio-based materials. Therefore, carpets with EPP certified ANTRON® carpet fibre can
earn up to 6 points under NSF-140 credit 8.2.1.
U.S.-based commercial carpet mill customers of ANTRON® carpet fibre agree that EPP certification adds
value to their products. “Atlas has benefitted from the environmental innovations of ANTRON® carpet
fibre, and the EPP contribution to NSF-140-2007 recognises INVISTA as a leader in producing
environmentally preferable products. We are proud to be associated with an environmental leader,” said
Jim Horwich, president of Atlas Carpet Mills.
The program manager of material content and sustainable choice certification for Scientific Certification
Systems, Ed Wyatt, said, "We congratulate INVISTA for being the only carpet fibre manufacturer to
achieve EPP recertification. Since 2002, we have been impressed with the company's dedication to
achieving this rigorous standard by continuously reducing the environmental impact of ANTRON® carpet
fibre, to meet or exceed the evaluation criteria for recertification. EPP certification assures architects,
designers and facility managers they are making sound environmental specification decisions when
selecting carpet manufactured with ANTRON® carpet fibre."
INVISTA also offers more than fifty colours of ANTRON Lumena® solution dyed nylon with 25 percent
pre-consumer recycled content, providing the industry with more recycled content color options in the
solution dyed nylon category than ever before. The products are among the brand’s best-selling colours,
and were carefully chosen to work in unison with today’s style trends. High Recycled Content ANTRON
Legacy® white dyable nylon and High Recycled Content ANTRON Lumena® solution dyed nylon continue
to be available upon request with a minimum of 90 percent pre-consumer recycled content.
ANTRON® carpet fibre was the first carpet face fibre to be certified, and the only carpet fibre ever
recertified as an Environmentally Preferable Product by Scientific Certification Systems. It is constructed
with type 6,6 nylon polymer, exceptional fibre engineering and treated with DuraTech® soil resistance
chemical treatment. Carpets made with ANTRON® carpet fibre must pass the 14 point ANTRON® Brand
Performance Certification Standard for durable performance in construction, before they can bear the
ANTRON® brand name. For more information on ANTRON® carpet fibre, please call + 61 3 8720 1602 or
visit antron.net.
About Scientific Certification Systems
SCS is an independent third-party auditor and certifier of environmental and sustainability claims. Over
two decades, SCS has developed internationally-recognized standards and certification programs aimed
at spurring the highest level of environmental improvements, social accountability and product
performance. SCS has been certifying products for the green building industry since 1990, and also
operates in forestry, agricultural production, food processing and handling, fisheries, energy, and retail.
SCS was the first company to offer manufacturers a program for verifying the accuracy of environmental
claims on products. Certification programs for building products include Recycled Content,
Biodegradability, SCS Indoor Advantage, SCS Indoor Advantage Gold, Environmentally Preferable Product
and SCS Sustainable Choice™. For more information, please visit www.scscertified.com.
About INVISTA
INVISTA is an integrated fibers and polymers business with a global presence. It operates four major
businesses: Apparel; Intermediates; Performance Surfaces and Materials; and Polymers and Resins.
INVISTA delivers exceptional value for its customers through mater insights and technology innovations,
along with a powerful portfolio of some of the most recognized global brands and trademarks in their
respective industries including, ADI-PURE®, ANTRON®, AVORA® FR, INVISTA® C12, COMFOREL®,
COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, CORFREE®, DACRON®, INVISTA® DBE, DYTEK®, ESP®, FRESHFLEX®,
CORDURA® NYCO, LYCRA®, PERFORMA®, POLARGUARD®, POLYSHEILD®, POLYCLEAR®,
SOLARMAX®, STAINMASTER®, SUPPLEX®, SUPRIVA™, TACTEL®, TACTESSE®, TERATE®,
TERATHANE® AND THERMOLITE®. More information on INVISTA can be found at www.INVISTA.com. |
