NEW YORK—Carnegie, a leader in authentically sustainable textiles and acoustical management solutions, has expanded its line of Biobased Xorel products, the world’s first bio-based, climate-positive, commercial textile. As part of the Conscious Collection, the new patterns, Nexus and Dash, enhance Carnegie’s award-winning Biobased Xorel brand, which was first introduced 10 years ago. Biobased Xorel is made from rapidly renewable sugarcane with self-powered production that uses zero water. For every ton of material produced, 2.5 tons of carbon is sequestered, making Biobased Xorel a climate-positive innovation. Rising above the greenwashing noise amidst an abundance of misleading claims and use of vague...

NATIONAL REPORT—Environmental consciousness is one of the key trends in the travel sector, starting with travelers aiming to minimize their environmental impact through flights with reduced carbon emissions. However, this trend extends beyond modes of transport, as travelers also expect their accommodations to embrace eco-friendly practices and offerings. One of the ways the lodging industry meets this expectation is through adaptive reuse, which converts existing buildings into hotels to reduce the environmental cost of construction and transportation. Thus, a previous post highlights Historic Hotels of America’s examples of adaptive reuse among historically preserved buildings across America. The list of 25...

There are many upsides to adaptive reuse, of course. Converting an existing building into a hotel eliminates the huge environmental cost of materials—their manufacturing, their transportation to the site, and the resources involved in the assembling/construction of those materials. If the building has unique characteristics, the preservation of them creates a story that will live on in the “new” hotel. Historic Hotels of America, an official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recently announced The 2024 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Best of Adaptive Reuse list. The list spotlights 25 richly preserved historic buildings that were not originally...

BOULDER, COLO.—Colorado-based design and fabrication team, ELMNTL, is democratizing boutique hospitality with its ecosystem of configurable cabins, saunas and wellness products. ELMNTL acts as a partner to hospitality owners to start getaways, hotels, vacation rentals, and wellness retreats with its zero-to-launch services. ELMNTL was founded by former data scientist and tech entrepreneur Vlad Dubovskiy who traded coding for building and renting cabins out in the wild of the rugged Colorado Rocky Mountains. This personal transformation informs much about ELMNTL as a business. “ELMNTL crafts beyond architecture—we create unforgettable experiences for people who love to adventure outside,” Dubovskiy says. “Instead of seeing...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will work with the Biden Administration during Greenbuild to announce plans to create a new national definition of a zero-emissions building. This is the future of buildings, and the definition will be an important tool for establishing a common understanding of what it really means to be a zero operating emissions building. As financial institutions, investors, and insurers grapple with climate risks, USGBC sees the baseline established by this definition as key to evolving market expectations. USGBC is currently developing the next phase of the LEED rating system—LEED v5—and is committed to aligning the new rating systems by including specific LEED certifications designed to certify projects to the national definition. LEED, which launched the green building revolution 30...

NATIONAL REPORT—The interest in sustainable building practices has grown in recent years, especially within the hospitality industry. The use of shipping containers to build green hotels is one innovative approach that stands out. These repurposed structures offer a unique blend of sustainability, cost-efficiency, and modern design. Here are some compelling reasons to use shipping containers for your next project if you’re a hotel developer or hospitality manager wanting to create an eco-friendly establishment. 1. Sustainable Building Practices Sustainability is one of the biggest reasons to use shipping containers to build green hotels. One can significantly reduce the demand for new building...

IRVINE, CALIF.—Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, in collaboration with Versa Designed Surfaces, announces the launch of Circon—a revolutionary bio-sourced, carbon-neutral Type II vinyl wallcovering. Created to address the growing demand for sustainable and high-performance solutions in commercial interiors across workplaces, hospitality venues, and educational institutions, Circon establishes a new benchmark in wallcovering innovation. The patent-pending Circon introduces a groundbreaking approach to wallcovering technology. It integrates the durability of traditional vinyl with over 70 percent bio-sourced, rapidly renewable resources, offering an environmentally friendly alternative without compromising on quality or aesthetics. Key components include 100 percent renewable wood-based feedstock from sustainable forestry, an...

CHICAGO—After several years in research and development, The Mitchell Group announces the launch of NetZERO, an all-new sustainable polymer textile platform realized in a polyurethane synthetic leather format. NetZERO is the market’s first water-based polymer and boasts exceptional performance attributes that surpass industry standards for coated textiles. NetZERO styles are designed and engineered for a variety of coated upholstery applications, including healthcare, hospitality, contract, and other commercial segments. With NetZERO’s debut comes Evergreen, the first pattern to launch from the new polyester textile platform. Available in 23 fresh and vibrant colors created with water-based dyes, Evergreen is a workhorse pattern...

FIORANO MODENESE, ITALY—Laminam has released its comprehensive Sustainability Report, demonstrating the company’s ability to manage the market in adverse conditions and achieve higher-than-industry average performance figures with an inclusive, circular approach to sustainability. Globally, Laminam’s consolidated revenue is 237.4 million Euros, EBITDA of 11 percent and economic value distributed of 212 million Euros. As Laminam North America continues to broaden its presence and contribute to the overall growth of the company, sustainable innovation is a guiding principle. “We are proud of these accomplishments and will persist in our commitment, as each of us has a vital role to fulfill in shaping a future that is...

NEW YORK—The Good Plastic Company was prominently featured in Metropolis’ Sustainability Lab at NeoCon 2024, held June 10 to 12 at THE MART in Chicago. Climate designer and Studio O+A Co-Founder Verda Alexander selected the company’s revolutionary Polygood––100 percent recycled and recyclable plastic panels––as the primary material for the 27 display pedestals throughout the space. Utilizing nearly 1,000 pounds of recycled plastics, Polygood’s presence in the Lab is a true case study for circularity, demonstrating the importance of thoughtful planning and material selection to minimize environmental impact. The Lab took visitors on a transformative journey, diving into the latest...