Tandus Unveils New Fiber at NeoCon

Dalton, GA, June 17, 2010–Tandus Flooring has introduced Genesis, which the company says is the first flooring fiber to encapsulate a biopolymer in a nylon outer layer.

Tandus said it invented the sheath-core technology that wraps a nylon sheath around a biopolymer core to produce a bio-based yarn with the commercial performance and aesthetic attributes of nylon.
 
Tandus said its research and development center collaborated with NatureWorks LLC, a division of Cargill, to create the fiber.

Genesis was previewed at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December 2009.

The biopolymer is derived 100% from annually renewable plant sugars from non-food stock.  It emits 86% fewer greenhouse gas emission and uses 65% less nonrenewable energy than nylon.

The first Genesis products were installed at the Cargill campus.

Genesis is made of 15% biopolymer and 85% nylon in either yarn dyed or solution-dyed. It is currently only available as a custom on significant orders of Powerbond, modular tile, broadloom or woven products.