Chicago—Mohawk was honored with a Best of NeoCon Gold Award in the Fiber Category for its next-generation fiber system SmartStrand Contract. Made with DuPont Sorona polymer, the branded name for triexta fiber, SmartStrand Contract contains 37% renewably sourced ingredients and is a game changer for the commercial carpeting industry.
“Mohawk continues to evolve our offerings to meet design challenges matched with the needs of the environment,” said David Duncan, vice president of marketing, Mohawk. “SmartStrand Contract embodies this mission, and receiving the Best of NeoCon award not only proves our commitment to design flexibility, but also our forward-thinking ability to innovate for the future.”
Sponsored by IIDA, IFMA, Contract, Facilities Design & Management, and Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc., the Best of NeoCon Competition honors new products introduced in U.S. markets since the close of the previous year’s NeoCon, showcasing the top designs from an array of outstanding entries. The 2011 recipients, including Mohawk, were honored in Chicago at this year’s NeoCon trade show.
First introduced as a broadloom offering by Mohawk Industries for residential use in 2005, this proven, next generation fiber made with DuPont Sorona polymer has been specially engineered for the unique needs of commercial spaces. SmartStrand Contract is available for both broadloom and modular applications, filling a void in the marketplace and responding to customers’ needs for carpet tile that delivers improved underfoot comfort, enhanced durability, and unprecedented stain protection and colorfast capabilities.
A breakthrough advancement in commercial carpeting, SmartStrand Contract utilizes triexta fiber, recently designated as its own fiber class by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It is the first to be recognized by the FTC as a separate fiber class in more than 50 years. With unprecedented stain and soil resistance inherent to the fiber for easy maintenance, it is naturally designed to perform while minimizing the impact on the environment.
In its partnership with DuPont, Mohawk has demonstrated SmartStrand Contract is able to be recycled back into carpet and diverse end use products. With superior strength and an extended life, SmartStrand Contract carpets will stay in use and out of the recovery stream longer. As the recovery supply chain matures, broad based carpet-to-carpet recycling will be initiated.
SmartStrand Contract will initially be available for select products, including What Moves You? by Lees.