6.11.2000 ET

(CSRwire) For more than a year, the Interface Research Corporation and the manufacturing and design teams at Interface have been working on a process that would allow the successful manufacture of floorcovering products from poly lactic acid (PLA), a renewable, natural resource derived from corn. Today the company announces that a commercially viable tile product manufactured with PLA face fiber will debut this week at the industry trade show NeoCon in Chicago.
“As a renewable resource that is completely recyclable and biodegradable, PLA is a major step forward in Interface’s goal to develop sustainable business practices that are as good for the company’s bottom line as they are for the Earth,” said John Wells, president of Interface Americas. “We have just completed initial trials for the product which indicate that the quality, performance and aesthetics are at least equal to that of our traditional products.” Wells went on to say that plant-derived products could make up as much as 10 percent of Interface’s business over the next three years.
Poly lactic acid, PLA, has been developed through a joint venture between Dow, a leading chemical company, and Cargill, the largest agricultural products company in the world. Interface, Inc., has exclusive rights to develop floorcovering products with this new, plant-derived polymer.
Interface will debut two products next week at NeoCon within Interface Flooring Systems Great Plains Collection. These carpet tile products will be produced at the company’s manufacturing facilities in LaGrange, Ga., and will be available to customers fourth quarter 2000.
Interface, Inc. is a recognized leader in the worldwide commercial interiors market, offering floorcoverings, interior fabrics, interior architectural products and specialty chemicals. The Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of modular carpet under the Interface, Heuga and Bentley brands, and through its Bentley Mills, Prince Street and Firth subsidiaries, enjoys a leading position in the high quality, designer-oriented segment of the broadloom and woven carpet market. The Company also provides specialized carpet replacement, installation and maintenance services through its Re:Source Americas service network. The Company is also a leading producer of interior fabrics and upholstery products, which it markets under the Guilford of Maine, Stevens Linen, Toltec, Intek and Camborne brands. In addition, the Company produces raised/access flooring systems under the C-Tec, Intercell and Atlantic brands; provides chemicals used in various rubber and plastic products; offers Intersept, a proprietary antimicrobial used in a variety of interior finishes; and sponsors the Envirosense Consortium in its mission to address workplace environmental issues.

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