Sunbrella Fabrics Win Greenguard Certifications

Fabric Certified as Low Emitting

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/17/2007 12:00:00 AM

Glen Raven, N.C. —

Trademarked performance fabric Sunbrella has been certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute as a "low-emitting product," said Sunbrella producer Glen Raven Custom Fabrics.

This means Sunbrella fabrics can safely be specified and used indoors, and will contribute to healthy indoor air.

The fabric line has also received the Greenguard Children & Schools Certification, which has even more stringent air-quality standards.

Sunbrella started as an outdoor performance fabric used for awnings, boat covers and casual furniture. Now with jacquard weaves and innovations in yarns and finishes, it has moved indoors for residential and commercial markets.

"We have committed ourselves to the delivery of industry-leading performance fabrics that have minimal impact on the environment," said Vince Hankins, new business development manager for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics.

Hankins said Glen Raven uses a three-pronged environmental strategy: elimination of waste from the manufacturing and supply chain; measuring company performance via third-party verification; and more environmentally friendly processes and components through product lifecycle analysis.

"Financially, we will be more efficient in how we use resources," Hankins said. "Environmentally, we will minimize the impact of our products and processes; and socially, we will adhere to safety standards that go well beyond basic compliance."