Ultrasuede® Creates “Trail of Green” to Highlight New EcoDesign™

New Recycled Upholstery Cover Debuts in Showrooms throughout High Point Market

Toray Ultrasuede (America), Inc. (TUA) debuts EcoDesign™, an environmentally responsible line of products based on innovative recycling technology from Toray. To highlight the introduction at this month’s High Point Market, several upholstery manufacturer showrooms will be listed on an Ultrasuede® “trail of green,” and feature special signage, including unique takeaway materials in 9 locations which explain EcoDesign™ features and benefits.

EcoDesign™ technology has been used to redesign Ultrasuede® Ambiance for use in interiors and in upholstery applications. The new technology results in reduced energy consumption and a more ecologically sound manufacturing process. EcoDesign™ captures industrial materials, such as scrap polyester films, from various Toray manufacturing processes and recycles them for use in building high-quality fibers and textiles.

At the April High Point Market, Ultrasuede® Ambiance with EcoDesign™ will be shown on upholstery frames in a wide range of showrooms, including American Leather, Century Furniture, Cisco Brothers, Della Robbia, Elite Leather, Elite Mfg., Excelsior, Fairfield Chair, Ferguson Copeland, Hancock & Moore, Lazar, Leathercraft, Linrene, Michael Thomas, Nathan Anthony, Outer Limits, Pearson, Stanford, Taylor King, Thayer Coggin, Weiman and Zagarolli.

The recycling initiative reduces energy consumption and CO² emissions by a minimum average of 80 percent. The percentage comparison, provided by Toray, is made using a baseline assumption of 100% for energy consumption and CO² emissions involved in virgin polyester production from crude oil.

“The new Ultrasuede® gives our manufacturer and interior designer customers the beauty and performance features they expect from our product with the added benefit of environmental stewardship,” says Helen Corio, Manager of Marketing and Sales, Toray Ultrasuede. “Color integrity and maintaining an ultra soft hand were important considerations in the redesign.”

After Ultrasuede® Ambiance, other TUA products will begin using EcoDesign™ technology, including Ultrasuede® Dimensions. Ultrasuede® Dimensions is an embossed textile that perfectly complements the solid colors found in the wide-ranging Ultrasuede® line, providing the opportunity to use patterns to deliver more depth and richness to any design for upholstered furniture applications.

To learn more about EcoDesign™, please also read this article.

MEDIA CONTACT – HOME FURNISHINGS:
Leslie Newby,
Brand Communications, Inc.
336-370-4623 (tel)
leslie@workthebrand.com

For more information on EcoDesign™, Ultrasuede®, and other TUA products, please contact:
Toray Ultrasuede (America), Inc.
Corporate Communications Department
Tel: 212-576-3384
marketing@ultrasuede.com