Oct 27 2009
STAINMASTER carpets and carpets of ANTRON fiber can have up to 40 percent lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (expressed as CO2 equivalents) than the majority of competitive carpets in their respective markets, according to combined life cycle analyses (LCAs) and performance testing results.
The LCA results reflect the eco-profiles of INVISTA’s manufacturing processes for ANTRON and STAINMASTER carpet fibers and the length of time these products perform during their first life, which INVISTA defines as the time period from when a new carpet is installed until it needs to be removed due to unacceptable appearance and/or performance.
STAINMASTER Carpet
“INVISTA commissioned the LCAs and combined the results with carpet performance data because we feel this helps our customers better understand the environmental benefits of our products,” said Bobby Berrier, newly appointed global sustainability director for INVISTA’s Performance Surfaces & Materials business. “We believe that sustainability begins with products that last, so combining third-party cradle-to-gate LCAs with our carpet performance studies helps provide a clearer view of these products’ potential environmental impact.”
Berrier continued, “Product performance through first life is a very important consideration because longer-lasting products can benefit the environment by reducing the need for replacement and additional manufacturing.”
The data was derived from real-world performance testing of ANTRON and STAINMASTER carpets versus the majority of competitive carpets in their respective markets. These test results were then combined with an eco-profile of INVISTA’s manufacturing processes developed by Boustead Consulting & Associates Ltd., a recognized third-party expert in environmental life-cycle evaluations. The eco-profile was developed in accordance with ISO 14040 standards for conducting life-cycle analyses. The results demonstrate that because ANTRON and STAINMASTER carpets have a longer first life than competitive carpets, this can lead to fewer replacements and reduce energy consumption and emissions, as well as minimized waste.
According to Bernard R. Yaros, vice president of Boustead Consulting & Associates Ltd., “INVISTA should be proud of the environmental leadership it is taking in the flooring industry. Pursuing complex third-party LCA audits like this in order to substantiate its environmental claims prior to them going to market is something a lot of companies don’t do, and it should be applauded.”
Conducting LCAs with consideration given to the first life of a product is only one example of the initiatives INVISTA is pursuing on its journey to provide long-term value to society while pursuing environmental excellence.
“At INVISTA, a firm commitment to resource stewardship, waste elimination, and environmental protection is central to our culture. So, integrating environmental stewardship into our business’s goals and activities is a priority,” said Dan Stone, president, INVISTA Performance Surfaces & Materials. “It is INVISTA Performance Surfaces & Materials’ commitment to our customers, our employees and our communities that we will pursue initiatives to support these efforts in four key areas: Enduring Materials, Sustainable Performance, Responsible Manufacturing, and Corporate Citizenship.”
Source: http://www.invista.com/