ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Green Theme Technologies Inc., a global leader in innovative and sustainable textile finishing, announced that new third-party testing shows the brand’s EMPEL platform provides robust stain release and creates a protective PFC-free treatment that outperforms other currently available options. GTT launched the EMPEL platform in 2018 with the goal of eliminating toxic PFCs (perflurocarbons) from textile processing. In addition to being highly sustainable, EMPEL delivers the highest water repellency and longest lasting protection available. The EMPEL Stain Release product encapsulates each fiber inside a yarn with a molecular protective polymer, which creates a barrier preventing stains from sticking to fabrics. According...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a leading global flooring provider, announced plans to expand its operations in Aiken County. The approximately $400 million investment will create more than 300 new jobs at the manufacturing facility, which creates fiber used to manufacture residential carpet. Located at 136 East Frontage Road in Aiken, Shaw’s expansion will increase the company’s manufacturing capacity and support future growth for new products. This location currently employs more than 600 associates. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Individuals interested in joining the Shaw team should visit the company’s careers webpage. County Assisting with Funding The...

RESTON, VA.—Practice Greenhealth announced Shaw Industries’ commercial brands—Patcraft and Shaw Contract—as their latest Greenhealth Approved suppliers. Their resilient flooring and carpeting product lines are the first flooring solutions to obtain the Greenhealth Approved seal. The seal indicates that products meet specific sustainability criteria and enables health care providers to easily identify environmentally preferred products without having to conduct their own ingredient verification. “We worked closely with the Greenhealth Approved team to qualify these products to take the time-consuming product review process out of health care providers’ hands,” said Executive Vice President Kelley Fain, Shaw Industries commercial division. “We are excited...

SOLON, OHIO—As a long-trusted provider of resilient flooring solutions, Tarkett introduces a new vinyl composition tile design, available in 45 fresh colorways that bring together style and strength where they’re needed most. Tarkett VCT II is made to withstand heavy traffic and rolling loads, delivering strong performance for demanding spaces. Aligned with the company’s commitment to circular economy, Tarkett VCT is 100 percent recyclable, made with 85 percent limestone, and is phthalate-free to support better indoor air quality. “The new Tarkett VCT II collection is a combination of great design and outstanding value,” said Jason McKee, Senior Product Manager for Tarkett North America....

MIDLAND, MICH.—Dow announced plans for 2022 to launch the world’s first commercially available carbon-neutrality program for silicone materials used for structural glazing, insulating glass, and weather sealing. Selected DOWSIL Materials will include PAS 2060-certified carbon certificates from Dow’s backward integrated siloxane productions and carbon reduction investments. This carbon offset program, whose theme is “Designing with more freedom by engineering less impact,” can help to decrease the environmental impact of buildings and achieve better green building certification ratings. “The commercial introduction of our carbon-neutrality program for DOWSIL Silicones for building facades represents a true evolution in silicone carbon-neutrality,” said Markus Plettau,...

RIYADH—The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has announced the signing of nine hotel management agreements with international hotel brands to operate resorts in the first phase of development at The Red Sea Project. The agreements were unveiled on Day 2 of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) 2021, with the collection of hospitality brands set to operate nine of the 16 properties currently under development in the first phase and collectively feature more than 1,700 hotel keys of the total 3,000 planned for Phase One. These include EDITION Hotels and St Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International; Fairmont Hotel & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and SLS...

NEW YORK—Prioritizing material innovation, sustainability, cleanability, and stain-resistant technology, Supreen marries cutting-edge woven and coated technology with a proprietary silicone blend to create a complete liquid-barrier textile, reactively repelling liquids and preventing future stains—all without compromising softness, upholstery capability, or the environment. This performance fabric will make its debut at six premier textile booths at BDNY, November 14 to 15, 2021. Combining groundbreaking stain resistance with bleach cleanability and impressive breathability, Supreen exceeds industry standards when it comes to cleanliness, durability, and aesthetics. What Makes Supreen Stand Out? It’s completely liquid-proof. Supreen’s liquid-proof barrier technology makes it impenetrable, protecting it...

From Walgreens to Target to the doctor’s office…It is safe to say that hemp has made a comeback here in the United States. What most people don’t know is that hemp is far more than your run of a mill CBD concoction. It’s food, fiber, fuel and more. For us here at Anact, we believe that hemp is the future of sustainable textiles due to its performance and sustainable attributes. Here’s why we are excited for the hospitality industry to pave the way in re-introducing this powerful textile. It’s hard to find a negative when it comes to hemp and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced that it has surpassed one billion square feet of LEED commercial green building space recertified under LEED. LEED recertification is an important effort to measure energy, water, waste, and transportation performance, as well as the human experience of LEED projects. Recertification enables owners to protect their sustainability investments over time. This LEED milestone was celebrated at the annual Greenbuild conference, which was held in San Diego. Over the last year, the green building industry has reached several milestones indicating that green building continues to be an important topic as it provides a foundation...

BANGKOK—Within just a few hours of the United States, Belize is known for its warm and turquoise water, incredible snorkeling and diving, and active and vibrant culture. Guests and residents at Six Senses Belize will experience something out of this world as the team has worked tirelessly to strike the perfect balance between vivacious beach life and small-scale, secluded island bliss so that residents can enjoy either or both, any time they wish. The resort and residences are uniquely set across two areas. The sun-drenched stretch of secret beachfront on Ambergris Caye, the most sought-after destination in Belize, offers an...