ANTRON Carpet Fiber Recertified An EPP

INVISTA recently announced recertification of its ANTRON® carpet fiber as an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). Originally certified in 2002, ANTRON carpet fiber was the first carpet face fiber to achieve EPP certification. It is the only carpet fiber to achieve recertification for three consecutive cycles.

The recertification was based on a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted by Boustead Consulting Ltd., a third-party research firm with more than 35 years of experience in LCA consulting worldwide. INVISTA engaged the firm to study and analyze environmental impact data for all INVISTA plants worldwide that produce ANTRON carpet fiber.

“The results of this study provide us with a truly comprehensive global analysis of the environmental footprint of ANTRON carpet fiber, from the cradle to finished fiber,” said Henning Bloech, manager of environmental initiatives. “These data will become the benchmark for managing the key factors that contribute to sustainable carpet fiber production. The global eco-profile provides us with a thorough, rigorous approach to maintaining our current environmental certifications, and will also enable our understanding as we continually work to improve manufacturing processes and develop new product offerings.”

“Receipt of EPP certification for Antron carpet fiber 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. “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 fiber brand, it permeates all we say and do.”

EPP Certification takes a holistic approach to environmental stewardship, rather than focus on a single attribute. Upon review of the data, ANTRON carpet fiber achieved EPP certification after SCS concluded that ANTRON carpet fiber 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% 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 fiber can earn up to 6 points under NSF-140 credit 8.2.1. (To read more about NSF 140-2007, read "Sustainable Carpet" from TFM March 2008.)

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 fiber 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 fiber, 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 fiber."