Declare and the Living Product Challenge (LPC) were on full display at NeoCon 2019 last month in Chicago. For those who are not familiar, NeoCon is the commercial design industry’s launch pad for new products, such as fabrics, flooring, and furniture, from more than 500 exhibitors. We utilize this event as an opportunity to connect with our existing partners, build relationships with new manufacturers, and promote the specification of healthier products to thousands of interior designers and property owners.
Moore & Giles NeoCon 2019 showroom highlighted its Red List Free Declare labels for its leather tanned with leaves that are a byproduct from olive production (credit Alex Muller)
Most notably, NeoCon 2019 featured the announcement of new Living Products!
Carnegie Fabrics achieved its first Living Product certification for its Xorel Bio Fabric (Imperative Certification under LPC 1.1). Building on a long history of commitment to sustainability, PVC-free offerings, and being a registered B Corp, Carnegie Fabrics earned its LPC certification by measuring and disclosing the product’s Footprints, achieving a Third Party Verified Red List Free Declare label, and electing to utilize FSC Certified wood and paper packaging, among other requirements. The company is already looking for pathways to Petal or Living Certification to continue its journey.
“Carnegie has really benefited from the entire Living Building Challenge process,” said Cliff Goldman, President of Carnegie Fabrics. “It has given us a deeper understanding of how all aspects of our product can affect the planet. Neocon was a great opportunity to tell our story to groups of clients who are committed to the great goals of LBC.”
And Mohawk Group continues its Living Product leadership by certifying the first products under the LPC 2.0 standard, which is even more holistic and stringent than previous versions, and achieving the first Platform Certification. Platform certification is a new pathway that allows manufacturers to certify many products at once. Mohawk’s Nylon Modular Carpet on Ecoflex NXT Backing (Petal Certification under LPC 2.0) platform covers approximately 50 individual collections and represents more than 300 products. By scaling its certification from product-by-product to platform, Mohawk has dramatically ramped up their Handprinting actions to demonstrate Net Positive Water, Energy and Carbon.
“With the introduction of the first Living Product in flooring, our Lichen Collection, in 2017, we embarked upon a difficult but ultimately satisfying path toward sustainability. The success of Lichen spurred us on to create more Living Products, and in 2018, we expanded our portfolio of carbon-neutral Living Products to six,” stated George Bandy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mohawk Group. “At this year’s NeoCon, we have announced that we have made a giant leap to become a major source of sustainable flooring — all carpet tile products manufactured in our Glasgow plant with ColorStrand and/or Duracolor fiber and EcoFlex Matrix, EcoFlex NXT or EcoFlex NXT AIR carpet tile backing are officially certified as Living Products.”
One certified Living Product highlighted this year in Mohawk Group’s showroom was Relaxing Floors, a modular carpet system that uses fractal design as the basis of its patterning (credit Mohawk Group)
In addition to these exciting additions to the growing number of Living Products, the ILFI team was on the move at NeoCon. Alex Muller, ILFI’s Living Products Manager, presented on LPC at two packed seminars, including one with Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale, and George Bandy.
Along with Alex, Andrea Cooper, ILFI’s Associate Director of Programs, and Benson Gabler, ILFI’s Director of Outreach, guided tour groups through seven showrooms to highlight manufacturers that are leading the industry through their commitments to Red List Free Declare labels and Living Product certification. Named by Interior Design as one of the top 10 things not to miss at NeoCon, the tour featured 3Form, Carnegie Fabrics, HMTX, Humanscale, Mohawk, Tarkett, and Teknion, as well as a surprise guest – Jason McLennan, ILFI founder and board chair!
“Impact reductions are only one step in our larger goal of achieving Living Product Challenge certifications by making products that actually help restore the Earth, and enhance human well-being,” said Mike Johnson, Director of Sustainability at 3Form, which is currently pursuing certification. “With our Full Circle social equity program, biophilic designs, and other well-established sustainability initiatives, we feel we’re in a good position to take on the challenge, and that it’s our responsibility to push the limits, to show leadership and to begin to heal the planet while we still can… it’s the only place we have to call home.”
We are looking to build off the momentum and connections from NeoCon to grow the number of Declare labels and Living Products, and drive demand for specifying these materials to create healthier spaces for all.
Cliff Goldman, President of Carnegie Fabrics (credit Benson Gabler)
