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Designtex and Steelcase introduce Environmental Impact™ Collection
The new Environmental Impact™ Collection consists of nine fabric styles and 131 colors for seating products and panel systems. The fabrics are designed to be used without chemical backing and are manufactured with processes that conserve the earth’s resources today and tomorrow. Chemical backings are typically used by office furniture manufacturers in production to improve seam strength, fabric raveling, stability and opacity issues. But because these backings are made of materials that cannot be broken down, they become an obstacle to recycling fabrics in the future.
Steelcase and Designtex worked closely with renowned textile designer and color consultant, Kristie Strasen of Strasen Frost Associates, on the new collection.
“In addition to being among the greenest fabrics on the market, the collection also offers beautiful, durable and practical options at low price points,” Strasen says. “The new fabrics offer a broad variety of textures and patterns with a vivid, saturated color palette rarely seen in recycled products.”
Customers are increasingly requesting information on whether products are environmentally responsible, according to LeeAnne Williams of Textiles Marketing for The Designtex Group.
Steelcase and Designtex partnered with four mills to create the new collection, which includes:
- Terratex™ branded fabrics from Interface Fabrics Group that are woven using power from renewable sources. Up to 20 percent of the electricity used to make the Interface products is windmill-generated.
- EcoIntelligent™ polyester products from Victor Innovatex that use the McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry protocol to design a polyester that is free of heavy metals like antimony.
- Fabrics from Tietex International, a pioneer in take-back reclamation programs in the sports apparel industry, are produced using a combination of traditional woven and new non-woven technologies to create a hybrid construction new to the contract market.
- A 100 percent recycled polyester seating fabric with the hand and luster of worsted wool from Pendelton, a leader in sustainable woolen fabrics.
The introduction of the Environmental Impact Collection culminates two years of research and prototype experiments led by Designtex and Steelcase. This advancement in sustainable textile design means:
- Beautiful, durable, practical products that meet the demanding physical properties and application and testing requirements of manufacturers like Steelcase.
- Sustainable fabrics that fit into any project budget. There is no premium to be paid for sustainability.
- Demonstrated environmental leadership by Designtex and Steelcase in removing a key obstacle in the recycling of polyester fabrics and moving toward a sustainable future.
- Customers can help promote a sustainable future by choosing fabrics from the collection. When the entire industry demands sustainability, everyone benefits from petroleum savings, reduced greenhouse gases, and conserved water, energy and landfill space.
Who is The Designtex Group?
Designtex is one of Steelcase’s Design Partnership Companies. Founded in 1961, Designtex designs, markets and distributes upholstery textiles, wallcoverings, textile coverings and draperies for offices, medical, entertainment and hospitality environments.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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