Freudenberg Nonwovens Achieves Recycled Content Certification for Lutradur® Polyester Spunlaid Products

 SCS Global Services (SCS), a leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, announced that it has certified the high level recycled content claim of Lutradur® products manufactured by the Freudenberg Spunweb Company, LP.  Three specific styles of polyester spunlaid products made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and marketed under the Lutradur® brand were certified.  Lutradur® polyester spunlaids have many industrial applications, including construction substrates, landscaping materials, residential and commercial wallpaper, carpet backings, automotive floor mats and carpeting, and specialized filtration devices.

The SCS certification confirms the following high levels of recycled PET:

• Lutradur® Type 94:  Minimum 82% pre-consumer
• Lutradur® Type 62 and 63: Minimum of 89% recycled (with at least 9% Post-Consumer Recycled Content and the Balance 80% Pre-Consumer)

“The independent audit by SCS confirms our commitment to the environment by diverting PET from the waste stream, incorporating this recycled material into our products, and making accurate claims to our customers,” said John McNabb, General Manager of Freudenberg Spunweb Company, LP.  “The certified claims will inform our downstream manufacturers and help them achieve greater benefits in the marketplace by selecting our products over other materials with lower recycled content.”

Lutradur® products are produced in Freudenberg’s Durham, North Carolina plant using proprietary manufacturing technology to make rolls of nonwoven polyester fabric by mechanically or thermally bonding recycled PET, without the use of chemical bonding agents.  Recycled PET feedstock is derived from yarn manufacturing waste, trimmings from other Freudenberg products, and plastic bottles collected via curbside and deposit programs.

“Freudenberg Spunweb Company is diverting a substantial amount of PET waste to produce a high recycled content polyester which will help downstream manufacturers meet their overall sustainability goals”, said Alicia Godlove, Materials Manager for SCS Global Services. “The use of recycled PET has many environmental benefits including conserving natural resources, reducing energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and keeping plastics out of the landfill.”

To conduct the certification, SCS auditors reviewed the manufacturing process and data from the Durham plant, examined records of raw material inputs, and calculated recycled content.  Over 4500 tons of PET was diverted from the waste stream in 2013 for production of the certified Lutradur® products.

About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for three decades. Programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, and more. Now in its 30th year, SCS is a Certified B Corporation™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practice.  

About Freudenberg Nonwovens
Freudenberg Spunweb Company, LP is a division of Freudenberg Nonwovens, one of the world’s largest and most diverse producers of nonwoven textiles.  With 21 production plants and 3,000 employees in 13 countries, Freudenberg Nonwovens is part of the international Freudenberg Group, based in Weinheim, Germany.  Freudenberg Nonwovens was one of the first companies to introduce nonwoven products to the market and provides innovative and customized solutions for industrial technical textile applications.