Faribault to debut corn fiber line

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/18/2003 12:00:00 AM

New York — Faribault will launch the first blanket and throw collection using Ingeo, the Cargill Dow natural fiber made from corn, at the market here this week.

The collection features blankets using 100 percent Ingeo, blends of 50/50 Ingeo and merino wool, and blends of 40 percent Ingeo/60 percent merino wool, said Michael Harris, chairman/ceo of Faribault.

Six styles are featured in two collections as well as day blanket throws — one for each grouping. Colors are white and bone white in each grouping as neutrals, as well as charcoal black and cherry red in several styles.

With its environmentally friendly, naturally derived attributes, Harris also noted, "It's a nice fiber to work with. The pattern comes through with the weave distinctly. If it were all wool, we would have to nap it."

Other attributes, Harris added, include the fact that "it gets even softer with washing and doesn't pill."

Faribault, with a market launch exclusive, "plans to market this collection in a meaningful way," Harris said.

The collection of Ingeo blankets made its global debut at DecoContract in Brussels earlier this month.

The blankets include thermal weaves, cobblestone weaves, diamonds, and raised textures. All can be machine washed and dried. Price points are $99.99 and $89.99 for the 66" x 96" size.

Although the company is not showing formally at market, Danielle Freudenthal, director of retail sales, will be here showing the collection at the Hotel Le Marquis on East 31 St.