/ News & insights / Demystifying Biodegradable* CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ commercial textiles

Demystifying Biodegradable* CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ commercial textiles

Blog | June 16, 2023

Launched in 2019, Duvaltex's Biodegradable* CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ are transforming how commercial textiles are being specified thanks to a more sustainable model for end-of-life recycling or disposal.

As the first technology of biodegradable* recycled polyester textiles for commercial interiors, CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ differ from conventional polyester textiles. Regular commercial polyester textiles end up primarily in landfills and take hundreds of years to fragment. And even when they do break down, they never really fully disintegrate.

On the flip side, Duvaltex's Biodegradable* CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ mix a biocatalyst additive with the polyester chips when extruding the yarn. This biocatalyst, as the name suggests, accelerates the biodegradation of the textiles by interacting with microbes and moisture content found in landfills, thereby completely decomposing the material. The reason? The biocatalyst actually triggers the microbes' “enzyme factories” to quickly break down the polyester textiles. “It's like adding cheese to broccoli for kids,” explained Joel Sergerie, Senior Product Manager at Duvaltex. In all, Biodegradable* CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ take less than 4 years to completely disappear.*

While offering a level of biodegradability never before seen in the industry, the textiles do not compromise on performance, hand, colors or even price point. Available in two distinct patterns, Purpose and Resolve, the Biodegradable* CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ are offered in a range of gorgeous colors and, acoustically transparent

“In the early 2000s, Duvaltex was the first commercial textile manufacturer in the market to introduce recycled polyester content in our products, which represented a huge game changer in an industry renowned for a lack of sustainable products,” Joel explained. “Now, we took our innovation to a whole new level with our Biodegradable* CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™.”

CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ Resolve 1301

The industry agrees. Following the 2019 release, CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ won three prestigious awards: 2019 NeoCon Metropolis Likes, 2019 HIP Innovation for Good and 2019 HIP Health + Wellness: Fabrics & Textiles. The awards are a testament to Duvaltex's long-term commitment to the environment and upcoming generations. “We are spearheading a clear path to a more sustainable commercial textile sector,” said Joel. “We hope to continue creating the blueprints for a more eco-friendly future.”

*Rate and extent of biodegradation into elements found in nature is 91% after 1,278 days under ASTM D5511 (Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions). The test was done with the same component (PET) polyester and biocatalyst additive. No evidence of further degradation.