Designtex adopts ASTM biobased testing and USDA biobased certification

Designtex has offered biobased products since our company’s founding in the 1960s, initially offering wool and mohair luxury upholsteries.  Today, we offer a range of products that include wool, linen, ramie, cotton, and cellulose, and will introduce products that utilize biobased polymers this summer. Designtex is leading the industry in the breadth of its biobased offering and differentiating that offering with testing and certification. We are pleased to announce our adoption of ASTM biobased testing and USDA biobased certification, bringing much-needed clarity to product claims in the market.

USDA Certified Biobased Product 
A USDA Certified Biobased product has the percentage of biobased content in the material verified, and guarantees that innovative practices are used in manufacturing to decrease energy use and waste production. This certification, established by the USDA’s BioPreferred® program, is the most recognized mark for biobased materials and also certifies that a product meets Federal Purchasing requirements for biobased content.

ASTM D6866 Verified Biobased Content 
ASTM D6866 is the standard test method for determining the amount of biobased content in a product. The test detects the percentage of the product that came from recently grown and harvested raw materials, distinguishing that portion from any inputs derived from fossil fuels.
Designtex uses third-party labs to conduct ASTM D6866 testing of biobased content. This enables products to demonstrate compliance with the US Green Building Council’s LEED credit for Sourcing of Raw Materials, and is considered a “differentiator” criteria in Gensler’s GPS standard, among other industry programs that recognize the test.

Resources 
Designtex provides downloadable ASTM D6866 test reports and USDA certificates for all relevant styles on its website. These can be found on the product’s page and in the resource section on designtex.com   There are also search filters to quickly locate products that have ASTM D6866 testing and USDA Certified Biobased content.