Crypton Green FAQ

Crypton Green FAQ

Q: What do you have to do to make the claim "Crypton Green"?

A: Crypton Green fabrics are constructed with optimized fibers and chemistry.There are four requirements for creating new collections:

01. Select fiber content that is either:

02. The end-product has to meet Section 01350 emissions requirements. Crypton Green is SCS IndoorAdvantage™ Gold-certified.

03. All chemical ingredients must be assessed down to 100 parts per million. A third party, will assess the toxicity and safety of the raw materials. Environmentally preferable ingredients are used.

04. Engineer the fabric to meet the Crypton brand promise - excellent resistance to abrasion, odour, liquid, and stains - so that the product is more sustainable. A longer life makes for a better lifecycle.

Q: What makes Crypton's chemistry green?

A: Our green formulation is now being applied to all Crypton Fabrics, not just Crypton Green. The new chemistry is green because we have reduced or eliminated formaldehyde, PFOAs, and halogenated flame retardants, including PBDEs. All Crypton Super Fabrics have ultra-low or non-detectable emissions. Crypton resists bacteria, mildew, and odour to extend the life of the fabric without the use of conventional leaching anti-microbials.

Q: Are all Crypton Fabrics green?

A: We are constantly trying to make all of our fabrics increasingly sustainable. There is no black and white in green, and we recognize there is a Green Spectrum in which some products are more sustainable than others (eg: 100% vs. 50% recycled). With our initiative to use green chemistry on all Crypton Fabrics, we are moving in the right direction. It is more costly to us, but it is the right thing to do. Crypton Green is a bigger step along the spectrum, because it ensures more sustainable fibers are used and that the most stringent emissions requirements are met. Greening our manufacturing facility is also an important factor in our products' "greenness." Because many factors are involved,and because the variables should be measured to avoid greenwashing, we are actively participating in the development of the Standard for Sustainable Commercial Fabrics. This product standard includes metrics for fiber selection, water, energy,renewable energy, safety of materials, and social accountability. In the near future, we will be able to quantify our sustainability.

Q: What does it mean that Crypton's manufacturing facility is green?

A: Greening a facility is a long-term endeavour:

01. Some manufacturing practices, such as recycling tubes and fabric scraps,were implemented quickly. Crypton's manufacturing scrap is recycled into shoddy, an underlayment for carpeting.

02. Purchasing renewable energy credits is an important attribute of sustainability, and it is also relatively easy to do. Crypton will purchase such credits for each yard of Crypton Green produced.

03. Outdoor air quality and plant emissions were addressed by the installation of an air scrubber when the plant was first made operational.

04. The most meaningful changes have been capital-intensive and costly, but these investments have the dual benefit of environmental responsibility and reducing manufacturing costs. The purchase of our roll packaging machine has reduced our plastic consumption.

Most significantly, we have purchased machinery that can apply our chemistry without the use of water. These machines incorporate leapfrog,not evolutionary, technologies. Today, Crypton's manufacturing facility uses 40% less water (gal. per lb. of fabric) than in 2003.

05. We continue to seek improvements and best practices. We are committed to participating in the pilot assessment for The Standard for Sustainable Commercial Fabrics - which accounts for water and energy consumption.

Q: Can Crypton be recycled?

A: Yes. A common outlet for recycled fabrics is shoddy - used in making carpet padding and rear parcel shelves in cars.

Q: What is SCS?

A: Scientific Certification Systems - (www.scscertified.com). SCS is an independent, third-party auditor that specializes in product certifications for environmental and sustainability claims. The SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold certification is for building materials, furniture systems,and seating that meet the indoor air emissions criteria of CHPS 01350, the California Indoor Air Quality Specification for Open Panel Office Furniture, and LEED EQ 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, and 4.5.

Q: Does Crypton Green meet Greenguard's emissions requirements?

A: Yes. Independent third-party emissions testing indicates Crypton Green meets Greenguard's emissions requirements. As an alternative to Greenguard certification,Crypton Green is certified SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold, which in some cases is more stringent than Greenguard's Indoor Air Quality Standard.

Q: Can Crypton Green contribute to LEED-CI points or the Green Guide for Health Care?

A: While the selection of Crypton Green alone will not garner points, here's how it may contribute to points in LEED-CI credits (Version 2.0) and corresponding credits in the Green Guide for Health Care.

01. Credit MR 3.3, Resource Reuse - 30% Furniture and Furnishings (1 point): Crypton's long lifecycle (durability,cleanability, and disinfectability) enables the reuse of upholstered furnishings.

02. Credits MR 4.1 and 4.2, Recycled Content (1 or 2 points): Many Crypton Fabrics include pre- or post-consumer recycled fibers.

03. Credit MR 5.2, Regional Materials - 10% Extracted and Manufactured Regionally (1 point): Crypton contributes if both the project and manufacturing sites for the upholstered furnishing are within 500 miles of Crypton's facility in Kings Mountain, N.C.

04. Credit MR 6, Rapidly Renewable Materials (1 point): Some Crypton fabrics include wool, a rapidly renewable fiber.

05. Credit EQ 4.5, Low-Emitting Materials,Systems Furniture, and Seating (1 point): Crypton Green is certified by Scientific Certification Systems to meet Section 01350 emissions requirements, helping furniture manufacturers comply to LEED-CI specifications for systems furniture and seating.