Carpenter now offering CertiPUR-US certified foams

Program measures emissions, performance

David Perry -- Furniture Today, October 4, 2010

RICHMOND, Va. — Carpenter Co., the largest U.S. foam producer, said it has completed required testing and now provides CertiPUR-US certified foams to the bedding and upholstered furniture industries.

Carpenter joins a group of major U.S. foam producers that have earned the CertiPUR-US seal of certification, officials said.

Compliant products must have low emissions of chemicals for indoor air quality, and must be made without ozone-depleting substances, formaldehyde, PBDEs, prohibited phthalates, lead, mercury and other materials of concern. CertiPUR-US also sets baseline standards for foam physical performance that contribute to foam comfort and durability, officials said.

Flexible polyurethane foam producers already participating in the program include Advanced Urethane Technologies/Sleep Innovations, Flexible Foam Products, Future Foam, FXI Foamex Innovations, Healthcare/HK Foam, Hickory Springs Mfg. Co., NCFI Polyurethanes, Prestige Fabricators, Premier Foam, and Sinomax USA.

"The addition of the Carpenter Co., the world's largest foam supplier, marks an exciting turning point for the CertiPUR-US certification program," said Robert Luedeka, executive director of the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam, which runs the program. "The widespread availability of certified flexible polyurethane foams will have a positive impact at every level of the product chain."

Scott Pugh, director of Carpenter's Reinhart Technical Center, said the certification "gives our customers assurance that our focus remains on quality, performance, comfort and the environment."

After undergoing the extensive certification process, these foams must be recertified every six months for the first year and, annually thereafter. The Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam conducts random sample checks of products in the marketplace to verify that only compliant foams are sold under the CertiPUR-US seal, officials said.