Home Green Design Suppliers Use HD 2008 Expo as Stage for New Green Product Releases

Suppliers Use HD 2008 Expo as Stage for New Green Product Releases

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LAS VEGAS—Last week’s HD 2008 Expo & Conference was the setting for the introduction of hundreds of new green products. Furniture, floor covering, fabric, wall covering and other vendors capitalized on the opportunity to talk about the ways their products incorporate recycled content, reduce or eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reduce waste, and lower energy consumption. It would be a Herculean task to mention every new product but here are some of the highlights from last week’s event at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Valley Forge Fabrics introduced its 100 percent recycled and recyclable polyester drapery fabrics that are inherently fire retardant to meet all vertical fire codes. These Earth-friendly textile constructions are 100 percent post consumer recycled polyester and the first to be serviceable without any additional fire retardant chemicals. Valley Forge also announced that its established reclamation program will now include its FRESH bedding fabrics. The FRESH collection is a group of more than 1,000 fabrics that are made of 100 percent recycled polyester, and that are also 100 percent recyclable.

Crossville rolled out its recycled glass tile for walls, countertops and floors. Designed by Barbara Schirmeister, the line has a clear, luminescent quality and is available in 15 colors, including white, black and red, as well as soft blues, greens and ambers.

INNCOM International, a developer, manufacturer and marketer of guestroom automation systems, unveiled a new design-centric energy-management solution made of recyclable glass that controls room temperature, lighting and more. The e4 Glass Series Smart Digital Thermostat and Switch was developed with design team tonychi and associates and lighting design partner Arc Light Design. “The glass face-plate of the thermostat and light switch provide a blank canvas for any image, graphic or identity desired to be etched onto, or colorized into, the system—from the most minimalistic to the most complex designs imaginable,” said Arc Light designer Alejandro Bulaevsky.

Lutron Electronics Co. displayed its new Stanza guestroom light control system. It allows guests to control their lights and draperies while saving energy at the same time. It can operate as a stand-alone system or integrate with other guestroom systems, including Lutron automated window treatments, key card switches, occupancy sensors, and property management systems.

Maria Yee, Inc. featured its furniture made from rapidly renewable BambooTimbre and RidgeBamboo. The furniture is made in a plant that employs hydronic radiant heating and that features 14 large skylights that help reduce lighting-related energy consumption by 50 percent.

Durkan Hospitality introduced QuickShip Plus, a program that gives customers the freedom to recolor any of Durkan’s plethora of pattern options—significantly reducing lead times, saving valuable time in the hospitality design and delivery process, and helping designers achieve the desired look for every installation. Continuing The Mohawk Group’s dedication to sustainability, products available for QuickShip Plus are CRI Green Label Plus certified and recommended adhesives meet the most stringent rules for VOC emissions.

Wolf-Gordon announced its next generation of sustainable wallcoverings. Organics, exclusive to Wolf-Gordon, is a collection of seven biodegradable wallcoverings offering durability, washability, breathability, sustainability, and aesthetics. This new collection, which is Class A rated for Fire Safety, draws inspiration from the landscape of the Indian countryside. Each pattern in the Organics Collection is made up of three key layers: Polylactic acid (PLA), Kenaf (grass), and recycled newspapers and magazines.

Milliken Hospitality showcased its new carpet collections and introduced its Pure Color System, a tool that gives designers unlimited color options with a simplified process for custom results. All Milliken carpet is PVC-free and recyclable.

Colorep introduced its new AirDye textile dyeing process that uses no water. It uses air to convey the dye, eliminating hazardous waste. The process also reduces energy consumption and does not require boilers, screen printing machines, drying ovens, or cleaning and scouring chemicals.

LSI featured 16 new designs that are available as Second-Look, the first recycled vinyl wallcoverings. The patterns are offered through LSI’s Versa, Cirqa and Plexus brands and include 20 percent total recycled content with a minimum of 10 percent post-consumer. The recycled wallcoverings have the same aesthetics, durability and price as nonrecycled wallcoverings. They are projected to last for more than 10 years and can be repeatedly recycled to divert them from the landfill for decades. LSI also announced that Second-Look’s reclamation and recycled product program won five 2007 industry awards.

Element Designs introduced its eluma aluminum frame LED panels. They can be used as fully adjustable shelving, as fixed panels, signage, or in a variety of other applications. The panels consist of a glass or abrasion resistant acrylic insert encased in an aluminum frame that contains an embedded LED.

JL Furnishings (JLF)/lone meadow announced a new seating collection as a result of a partnership with ForrestPerkins. The ForrestPerkins for lone meadow collection includes 20 pieces ranging from side chairs to sofas. The furniture uses sustainable woods such as Forest Stewardship Council-certified North American hardwood, bamboo and kirei board, 100 percent recycled foam, recycled post-consumer steel hardware and low-VOC water-based finishes.

Environmental Specialty Products featured its line of outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic milk jugs.

The Natural Carpet Company rolled out The Roger Thomas Collection. The collection includes hand-knotted Tibetan carpets and rugs, hand-woven natural fiber carpets and rugs, and Jacquard machine-woven Abaca carpets, rugs, wallcoverings and ceiling coverings.

East Teak Fine Hardwoods introduced its line of Forest Stewardship Council-certified, 100 percent post-consumer recycled Indian rosewood columns. Each individual column has its own distinctive character and distinguishing markings and/or carvings on them.

The Turkish Towel Co. displayed its towels and bathrobes made from organically grown cotton.

Preserved TreeScapes International displayed its many lines of preserved trees, palms and other replica greenery.

Vetrazzo, which transforms recycled glass into artful surfaces for commercial applications, featured its new Midnight Eclipse, Envy Green, and Cool Titanium lines. Vetrazzo’s glass sources include bottles from curbside recycling programs as well as waste from glass manufacturers and building demolition.

Designtex debuted its Alchemy Collection of fabrics. It is comprised of six patterns inspired by antiquarian and modern jewelry. All of the fabrics in the collection are 100 percent Trevira CS and Silver Cradle to Cradle certified.

Philips Professional and Business Solutions featured its latest selection of commercial high-definition TVs. They feature SmartPower and Energy Savings Programmability, which save more than 50 percent on in-use energy consumption. Each set is also ROHS compliant, meaning it is virtually free of heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium.

American Atelier offered its latest furniture lines. The company is committed to manufacturing furniture utilizing the most environmentally friendly technology. The furniture is U.S. made and finished with water-based solvents and stains.

San Francisco-based down etc. introduced its down on earth collection of 100 percent certified organic bedding. The bedding collection includes comforters, pillows, and pillow inserts. The company also sells bed sheets and throws made with 100 percent certified organic cotton.

Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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