NILES, ILL.—The Mitchell Group, a major converter of coated fabrics to upholstery markets around the world, is expanding its Sta-Kleen Silicone portfolio with two unique new offerings: Spark and Sparky. Both are from Mitchell’s revolutionary Sta-Kleen and are made from 100 percent silicone with a 100 percent polyester double-knit backing. Spark is a next-generation product that combines advanced Sta-Kleen performance with sleek, modern design to offer users durability and aesthetic appeal. Ideal for commercial use, Spark is a solid pattern with a compact, non-directional linear emboss that will show well on any application, from chairs to headboards. Spark is available in...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—A new 250-room floating hotel is being proposed for Vancouver by Finnish hotel developer, Sunborn International Holding (SBIH). In partnership with the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (VHFC), the hotel will be a unique, world-class hospitality venue, bringing new jobs, economic growth, and creating a new destination on the water. “The new floating hotel will be a jewel for the crown of Vancouver’s waterfront,” says Graham Clarke, Chairman of VHFC. “The new property will contribute to the urgent need for hotel rooms in Vancouver in an innovative and effective way, with no permanent footprint or environmental ramifications, adding new public spaces, viewpoints, cafés and restaurants to Vancouver’s vibrant waterfront.” The...

VIKEN, SWEDEN—Bjelin’s innovative Woodura Herringbone has been awarded a 2024 FCNnovation Award by Floor Covering News, a prestigious honor recognizing groundbreaking ideas and game-changing concepts in the flooring industry. The newly launched Woodura Herringbone 2.0 range reimagines a classic design with larger, more durable panels enhanced by patented technologies. Floor Covering News praised this innovation, stating, “Bjelin continues its innovative, award-winning ways this year with the unveiling of a popular herringbone design featuring some of the same underlying performance attributes of Woodura Planks.” “We’re honored that this collection, which demonstrates our commitment to innovation and creativity, has won this esteemed award,”...

ATLANTA—Interface, Inc., the global flooring solutions company and leader in sustainability, revealed a first-of-its-kind carbon negative nora rubber flooring prototype that stores more carbon than is emitted through its manufacture. This latest innovation quickly follows Interface’s recent “all in” commitment to invest in product development and manufacturing efforts that drive carbon reduction and storage, without offsets. Interface is showcasing the carbon negative prototype at BAU, the world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials, and systems, taking place January 13 to 17, in Munich, Germany. The nora by Interface rubber flooring prototype has a carbon negative footprint when measured cradle-to-gate, storing more...

NEW YORK—PurOptima, the leading manufacturer of premium glass wall partitions and door systems, along with Clover Architectural Products—PurOptima’s Midwest Product Delivery Management Partner, announces the addition of its latest Project Delivery Partner, D-M Products to cover Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Founded in 1974 and based in Bethel Park, Pa., D-M Products (DMP) is a premier contract glazing company specializing in the sales and installation of aluminum curtain walls, windows, skylights, and related glazing products. Serving the Corporate, University, and Healthcare sectors, DMP has successfully completed major construction and renovation projects throughout Western and Central Pennsylvania, as well as West...

NEW YORK—Carnegie Acoustic Solutions, a division of Carnegie that manufactures iconic, sustainable acoustic design elements, has launched three Xorel Artform tiles, Spline 3D, Lift 3D, and Barrel 3D, part of the Tuned Collection. Tuned products are designed to work seamlessly together, offering complementary shapes, colors, and textures that transform walls and ceilings into functional, artistic acoustic solutions, no matter the space. “Building off the success of last year’s first Xorel Artform launch in three years, we wanted to continue to show how beautiful and impactful architectural acoustics can be without breaking the budget in this new collection,” said Dana Pucillo, Vice President of...

PHILADELPHIA—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the release of PERFORM, a new offering that empowers organizations to transform real estate portfolios into sustainability success stories. PERFORM provides guidance, tools, and third-party verification from GBCI, helping organizations meet sustainability goals and reporting requirements while improving portfolio-wide performance. “PERFORM helps organizations advance sustainability across their real estate portfolios, ensuring every building—regardless of type or starting point—contributes to achieving organizational performance goals,” said Peter Templeton, President & CEO, USGBC and GBCI (Green Business Certification, Inc.). “USGBC and the green building community are committed to wholesale market transformation, which means accelerating and scaling measurable performance...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Coverings, the largest, world-class showcase of ceramic tile and natural stone in North America, has announced Coverings 2025 registration with early-bird registration perks, competitive hotel rates and coveted award opportunities. Industry professionals are encouraged to register well in advance to secure their badges for Coverings 2025, returning to Orlando, Florida’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), April 29-May 2, 2025. Entry badges for Coverings 2025 will grant access to a comprehensive conference program and international product exhibition with 1,100 global exhibitors, showcasing the latest in tile and stone innovations. Entry will also include admission to show floor stages, activations, tours...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Shebandowan Holdings, S.A. announced plans for Hotel La Compañía del Valle in Valle de Anton, Panamá, slated to open in early 2025. Located approximately 50 miles west of its sister hotel, Hotel La Compañía in Casco Antiguo, this new thought-provoking hotel will allow guests and World of Hyatt members to explore a new destination in central Panamá surrounded by biodiversity, mountains, and lush landscape. At its core, Hotel La Compañia del Valle will serve as an art and wellness house, inclusive of a one-of-a-kind sculpture park with art pieces around the corridors and hotel public areas...

SAN DIEGO—Kirei, a provider of sustainable acoustic design materials, announces Tessellate Cloud and Pizzelle Cloud, part of Carnegie Acoustic Solutions’ Tuned Collection. The Tessellate Cloud builds on last year’s launch of the Tessellate Baffle and Pendant by expanding the scale into a distinctive ceiling product that allows designers to easily incorporate lighting. The Pizzelle Cloud reimagines the popular “waffle cloud” category with curved elements that press, fit and lock together, creating a geometric yet soft structure that can be patterned for an undulating, modern look. “With complementary shapes, lines, colors, and textures, these products provide designers with many acoustic options to achieve even...