SUNNYVALE, CALIF.—Serious Materials announced that its EcoRock green drywall has been named the grand award winner for the green tech category in Popular Science’s Best of What’s New. The company adds this award to its growing list of honors including: voted No. 1 at Cleantech Venture Forum XII, Global Gypsum Product of the Year 2008, and winner of the first Aspen Institute award for innovation in Energy Conservation. Serious Materials has also been recognized by TIME/CNN, Fortune, Business Week, GreenTech Media and Red Herring as one of the most promising green technology companies. EcoRock is used like standard gypsum drywall,...

NEW YORK—Carnegie, a leader in the field of textile design, has introduced Night Sky, a collection of high-performance barrier upholstery textiles. Night Sky is an anti-microbial, moisture- and odor-resistant finish that has been awarded Cradle to Cradle Silver certification by MBDC, the highest rating available for a finish. As with all Carnegie products, sustainability is an important factor; Night Sky is fabricated using Crypton Green, currently the most environmentally-responsible product of its kind in the market. Night Sky is made using a minimum of 50 percent recycled content and Crypton Green contains 90 percent less PFOAs and 20 ppb less...

ASHEBORO, N.C.—Industry giant Klaussner Home Furnishings is launching a contract division with a focus on hospitality. The new division, Klaussner Contract Furnishings, will offer a full range of quality contract upholstery products, including sofas, loveseats, chairs, sleepers, sectionals, chaises and ottomans. An extensive network of coast-to-coast manufacturing and distribution facilities will ensure quality service. Ron Werner, the recently appointed director of contract furnishings, will lead the division and spearhead the company’s sales initiative in the hospitality industry. “Our new division will specialize in not only a full catalog of standard seating but also made-to-order, designer-specified, upholstered seating that upholds the high...

BOCA RATON, FLA.—Hollander Home Fashions announced it will commit to an ambitious zero-waste goal for its manufacturing operations by 2010. The nation’s largest pillow manufacturer is the first company of its size in the home fashions industry to make such a bold commitment to environmental sustainability. “A lot of companies are trying to be greener,” says CEO Jeff Hollander. “We are thinking more in terms of true sustainability. What we are doing is integrating a new way of thinking into our entire operation. Over the past 18 months, the company has engaged employees and experts to develop a holistic program...

DALLAS—East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc., an industry leader in First European Quality teak and other fine exotic hardwood products, announces the launch of a new website dedicated to its eco-friendly line of hardwood products: www.CertifiedHardwoods.com. East Teak will highlight its current stock of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, 100 percent post-consumer recycled teak and rosewood, its new stock of FSC-certified ipe and tigerwood, as well as future hardwood species and products carrying a third-party certification. The creation of the new website is the result of the high demand from those looking for more sustainable timber because of concerns about the...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News has added an Excel Dryer case study to its Vendor Case Studies section. The case study focuses on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-certified headquarters and the installation of Excel Dryer’s XLERATOR hand dryers. Excel Dryer donated hand dryers for the building. Because of its new patented technology, the XLERATOR works three times faster than conventional dryers while using 80 percent less energy. Excel Dryer is a USGBC member and its XLERATOR hand dryer helps facilities qualify for LEED credits, including EA (Earth and Atmosphere) Credit 1—Optimizing Energy Performance, which is now a mandatory credit for...

OURAY, COLO.—Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs, an independently-owned resort in Ouray, Colo., has replaced all of its bedding encasements with CleanBrands’ CleanRest line of products. With a spate of recent bedbug outbreaks in the rocky mountain region, Box Canyon’s owners decided it was in their guests’ best interest to create as inhospitable an atmosphere as possible for the bugs. Karen Avery, co-owner of Box Canyon, began researching different products after reading about hotels in the region battling infestations. “We felt it was not only necessary for our guests,” said Avery, “but was also a legitimate business expense. If...

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF.—Kim Lighting, a leading manufacturer of outdoor architectural lighting, recently released a white paper on the lighting industry’s overall failure to properly bring commercial outdoor LED lighting to market. Titled “Why Today’s LED Site and Area Luminaires Are Not Measuring Up,” the white paper explores the challenges associated with using LED technology for outdoor lighting to achieving results that are sustainable and do not sacrifice performance. Findings in the white paper include: • As LED developers continue to research and design new manufacturing processes, phosphor compounds and color calibration techniques, LEDs will become the preferred technology for indoor and...

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.—To reflect the firm’s extensive efforts to support green energy saving strategies, social progress and community involvement, WAC Lighting has changed its logo and tagline to “Responsible Lighting.” WAC Lighting is a leading manufacturer of track, recessed, under cabinet, decorative and monorail lighting. “We are working hard to make a difference in the world by contributing to social progress with responsible manufacturing practices and energy saving technology,” says Shelley Wang, vice president and general manager. “Our responsibility extends beyond protecting the planet for future generations. We need to help fulfill the needs of society today by providing greater...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—In Joel Makower’s new book, “Strategies for the Green Economy,” (McGraw-Hill; October, 2008), Makower distills his years of advisory experience, and offers insights and inspiration for understanding and untangling the complexities and controversies of profiting in the growing green economy. Through real-life stories and first-hand experiences, Makower raises and answers complicated, fascinating, and resonant questions about the realities of greening your business. Whether catering to a shade of green customer (and there are many), or understanding what constitutes a “good enough” green company, whether selling everything from cars to coffee or determining when to lead the market and when...