12.1.14 | New York, NY | Six patterns of Carnegie’s proprietary high performance Xorel have earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label which verifies that the product’s amount of renewable biobased ingredients, meets or exceeds levels set by USDA. Biobased products are finished or intermediate materials composed in whole or in significant part of agricultural, forestry or marine ingredients.

The following biobased Xorel patterns qualify as USDA Certified Biobased Products with between 68-89% of the polyethylene content being derived from rapidly renewable sugarcane:
• Dash: 68% biobased content.
• Nexus: 89% biobased content.
• Strie: 89% biobased content.
• Abacus Embroider: 85% biobased content.
• Topiary Embroider: 85% biobased content.
• Veneer Embroider: 85% biobased content.

All biobased claims are verified by independent labs and monitored by the USDA. Consumers may feel secure in the accuracy of the biobased amount and be empowered in making better informed purchasing decisions. “We are proud that Carnegie has earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label,” said Ron Buckhalt, USDA BioPreferred Program Manager. “Biobased products add value to renewable agriculture commodities, create jobs in rural communities and help our nation decrease its reliance on foreign-sourced and non-renewable petroleum.”

The USDA biopreferred label is the fifth third-party environmental certification for Xorel. Xorel was the first textile to earn Cradle to Cradle Certification at the Silver level in 2007. It garnered the highest indoor air quality rating possible in 2008 achieving SCS Indoor Advantage Gold. Six biobased Xorel patterns have advanced to Cradle to Cradle Gold and are Vincotte OK biobased level 3 or 4 depending on the pattern. In 2014 Xorel secured FACTS certification at the Silver level for standard patterns and Gold for biobased Xorel. The FACTS certification was developed by the Association of Contract Textiles, Inc. to recognize textiles that conform to the rigors of the multiattribute standard NSF/ANSI 336 and are third-party certified.

The USDA certification is further verification that biobased Xorel is the preeminent sustainable high performance interior textile. “While the U.S. government requires products to possess 25% biobased content to be labeled as biobased, the Xorel products boast an unprecedented 68- 89% bio content,” said Cliff Goldman, President Carnegie. “We knew there was a bright future for biobased polymers, so seven years ago we embarked on an exploration to create a biobased Xorel product. Our goal was a polyethylene yarn from plant-based resources instead of fossil fuels, to ensure a significantly reduced carbon footprint.”

The biobased version of Xorel has no visual or performance difference from any of the standard Xorel products: It offers the same durability, cleanability, and longevity that the Xorel brand has been delivering for more than 30 years. This multi-certified sustainable product positions architects, designers, and building owners to earn points toward LEED certification for projects in which the textile is specified.

About USDA BioPreferred
The USDA BioPreferred program was created by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill), and expanded by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). The purpose is to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. The United States Department of Agriculture manages the program. Products that meet the USDA BioPreferred program requirements carry a distinctive label for easier identification by the consumer. To learn more about the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label please visit www.biopreferred.gov, and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BioPreferred.

About Carnegie
Carnegie is a leading manufacturer and innovator of textiles in North America. Since 1950, the family-owned company has established a tradition of firsts, including the development of its own Xorel® fabrics, which provide a durable alternative to PVC materials and Biobased Xorel, the first plant based high performance textile in the world. In addition, Carnegie has built a reputation for its ongoing and comprehensive commitment to the environment through all parts of its business cycle.