Sustainable Fabrics: Twitchell EarthTex
By: Stephanie Lee, Marketing Manager, Shading SystemsTwitchell launched their first PVC-free commercial product line of Earthtex in 2006 after many years of consistent research. According to Gena Webb, VP of Research and Development, being "green" has many shades. They found what they believe to be the true color of "green" through a lecture given by William McDonough. From this burgeoned a vision for the future of PVC-free products for Twitchell as well as their customers.
Earthtex's composition is a thermoplastic elastomer (a polymer/filler blend known as TPE). Earthtex product manufacturing, trimmings, and waste can be recycled into new products since there is no cross-contamination.
Earthtex represents a continued company commitment to materials perpetually circulated in closed loops, maximizing material value without damaging ecosystems. Twitchell's water policy and procedures utilize a closed-loop cooling system that is constantly recycling water supply to machinery instead of using an open-loop system requiring additional water use.
Twitchell Technical Products is committed to Cradle to Cradle design and has incorporated Cradle to Cradle thinking into their manufacturing process. Each of the components used in Earthtex is evaluated by an independent source (MBDC) and broken down to determine the effect on human health and its impact on the environment. Only after each component is assessed and passes through analysis is the specific component added to the Earthtex formulation.
The Cradle to Cradle design strategy encourages all to generate ecological, social, and economic value by embracing and applying true eco-effective manufacturing.
Earthtex is available in seven colors and comes in 1%, 3%, or 5% openness. Earthtex is also composed of REACH compliant materials that meet NFPA and CSFM standards, incredibly UV stable, easy to clean, and is naturally antimicrobial. Today's innovative buildings are designed to be sustainable, flexible, and energy efficient. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) administers to provide a national standard for what constitutes a green building. Earthtex can assist architects and designers in accumulating LEED credits with its PVCfree composition and recyclability.
Twitchell Technical Products is committed to Cradle to Cradle design and has incorporated Cradle to Cradle thinking into their manufacturing process. Each of the components used in Earthtex is evaluated by an independent source (MBDC) and broken down to determine the effect on human health and its impact on the environment. Only after each component is assessed and passes through analysis is the specific component added to the Earthtex formulation.
The Cradle to Cradle design strategy encourages all to generate ecological, social, and economic value by embracing and applying true eco-effective manufacturing.
Earthtex is available in seven colors and comes in 1%, 3%, or 5% openness. Earthtex is also composed of REACH compliant materials that meet NFPA and CSFM standards, incredibly UV stable, easy to clean, and is naturally antimicrobial. Today's innovative buildings are designed to be sustainable, flexible, and energy efficient. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) administers to provide a national standard for what constitutes a green building. Earthtex can assist architects and designers in accumulating LEED credits with its PVCfree composition and recyclability.
From light filtering to room darkening, our fabric collection features of 500 fabrics in a variety of openness factors to control light and glare. Browse the full collection and order FREE samples on our Sampling Portal.
