NEW YORK—Redefining the future of hospitality, Hyphyn—a breakthrough biodegradable vinyl—marks the next evolution of sustainable, stain-resistant upholstery faux leather for hotels, restaurants, and public spaces. Debuting this month at Boutique Design New York (BDNY), Hyphyn offers an unmatched human-centric and third-party verified end-of-life solution: it biodegrades over 90 percent within two years in landfill conditions, leaving behind no chemicals of concern or toxic residues.
“Under development for over six years, Hyphyn was mindfully designed to address consumer and guest demand for more sustainable and transparent materials, and the industry’s need for durability,” says Iwan Nassimi, Executive Vice President of Nassimi, makers of Hyphyn. “Hyphyn bridges lasting contract-grade performance with a more responsible future—proving that high design, performance, environmental responsibility, and social wellness can, and should, coexist.”
Designed for Social Wellness & Resilience
Hyphyn changes the equation for designers, hoteliers, and specifiers, prioritizing guest wellness and environmental sustainability by reducing long-term waste and improving indoor quality, without compromising the durability, cleanability, or versatility of conventional vinyl. A true worry-free, regenerative alternative, Hyphyn places wellness at its nucleus. It is free of lead, heavy metals, PFAS, and formaldehyde, and meets Prop 65, RoHS, and REACH compliance standards. This makes it ideal for high-traffic hospitality environments focused on material transparency, guest safety, and environmental stewardship.
Offered in an array of colorways and textures—from rich solids to tactile patterns—Hyphyn’s palette embraces design that fosters social wellness and a sense of place. Blending contract-grade capabilities with holistic design, these resilient hues promote well-being and peace of mind in high-use settings, from lobby seating and restaurant banquettes to guestroom furnishings and more.
A Breakthrough in Material Innovation
What sets Hyphyn apart is its ability to disappear responsibly. At its core is a patented enzyme system embedded in both the PVC and polyester backing, ensuring the entire material is biodegradable. Once in a landfill, the enzyme activates in response to naturally occurring microorganisms, accelerating microbial breakdown into inert gases without releasing microplastics or toxic residues. These gases are captured and converted into energy, creating a closed-loop solution that benefits the environment. Outside of a landfill environment, Hyphyn also enables safe disposal through incineration without emitting harmful dioxins—a significant advantage over conventional vinyl.
Tested & Proven for Environmental Safety & Durability
Beyond landfill degradation and safe disposal, Hyphyn’s performance and environmental integrity have been verified by a series of third-party tests, including:
- Biodegradation: In a controlled lab study, Hyphyn was proven to biodegrade over 90 percent within 24 months in landfill conditions.
- Post-Degradation Safety: Post-degradation soil was tested for over 1,000 potentially toxic chemicals; no harmful chemicals were detected.
- Indoor Air Quality: Hyphyn was also tested for VOC emissions, confirming it offers safe indoor air emissions and is compliant with the CDPH Standard Method (Section 01350) for indoor air quality.
- Abrasion Resistance: Hyphyn is engineered to meet or exceed all ACT performance guidelines, achieving 100,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs, making it ideal for heavy-use seating applications.
- Stain & Cleaning Resistance: Hyphyn is protected with a superior PFAS-free stain-resistant treatment and has been tested to withstand a wide range of industrial cleaners and disinfectants, including diluted bleach, ensuring longevity and low maintenance.
“Hyphyn is not only a critical market differentiator, business driver, and socially conscious solution; it’s a commitment to protecting human and planetary health,” concludes Nassimi. “Hyphyn represents the future of hospitality design, providing a verifiable path forward by maintaining superior performance, elevating the guest experience, removing chemicals of concern, and closing the loop on material waste.”
A curated selection of proprietary Hyphyn hospitality designs will be on view at BDNY, November 9 to 10, in the following distributors’ booths: Fabricut Contract (#1737), Justin David Textiles (#1811), KB Contract (#1319), Kravet Contract (#1913), Mayer Fabrics (#513), Momentum (#719), and Wolf-Gordon (#637). The product is available exclusively through these premier fabric companies and others, including Arc-Com, Burch Fabrics, Stinson, Pallas Textiles, Reliatex, and Workshop Twenty-One.
