Article Number : 2134 |
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| Date | 7/13/2007 9:13:33 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=2134 |
| Abstract | Michael Goldberg, CEO of Rite Rug, one of the largest flooring retailers in the country, may have said it best when analyzing the importance of DuPont’s new bio-based fiber, made partially from corn sugar, that will debut this fall in Mohawk’s SmartStrand line (FCNews June 25/July 2): “At the end... |
| Article | Michael Goldberg, CEO of Rite Rug, one of the largest flooring retailers in the country, may have said it best when analyzing the importance of DuPont’s new bio-based fiber, made partially from corn sugar, that will debut this fall in Mohawk’s SmartStrand line (FCNews June 25/July 2): “At the end of the day, the homerun is we don’t have to buy oil to make this carpet. Americans do not like buying oil from Venezuela or the Middle East. There are some who even go so far as to say our petroleum dollars fund terrorism. Whether that’s true or not, the one thing that’s undisputable is replacing petroleum with corn allows us to keep it American and supports our economy.” That’s one of the hooks retailers have at their disposal when selling the virtues of this fiber breakthrough. Another is the environmental story of how carpet constructed of SmartStrand fiber with Sorona polymer by DuPont replaces fossil fuel feedstock with a renewable bio-based product. And it’s a bigger story than you may realize. At the official opening of the new DuPont/Tate & Lyle facility in Loudon, Tenn., Samuel Bodman, secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, couldn’t overstate the importance of this initiative specifically and the significance of diversifying sources of energy in this country in general. In fact, it’s the key to long-term energy security. Here’s why: The global energy outlook is such that demand will increase rapidly. In illustration, energy consumption is expected to increase 50% in the next 25 years. And the competition for fossil fuels, particularly from growing economies like China and India, will only continue to drive up prices. Combine that with the fact that almost two-thirds of the world’s oil reserves are in countries that offer no financial investment in the U.S., and the big picture comes into focus. Bodman noted how Americans must be open to new ideas, and the DuPont/Tate & Lyle venture is a prime example of how companies can develop new technologies and help reduce dependence on energy imports. “The work that will be done here is on the leading edge of bio-technological research and production.” By utilizing corn sugar in lieu of petroleum-based stocks, the result is a 40% reduction in energy consumption and 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This will save 15 million gallons of gas annually. The best part of all this is we’re seeing petroleum-based products being turned into bio-based goods with better qualities. Jeff Lorberbaum, Mohawk’s CEO, said he was “extremely pleased with the quality and consistency” of the biological root going into SmartStrand, which translates into improved performance. A breakthrough indeed. |