Consumables

Mohawk and DuPont Win FTC Petition: Federal Trade Commission Confirms PTT Fiber is in a Class of Its Own

Monday 30. March 2009 - Mohawk SmartStrand(R) and SmartStrand(R) with DuPont(TM) Sorona(R), both made with new triexta fiber, offer superior durability, stain resistance and softness compared to traditional polyester carpets

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today announced a significant step forward for fiber and carpet innovation. Previously classified as polyester, the FTC has recognized that PTT fiber, the fiber used in Mohawk SmartStrand(R) carpets and that DuPont sells under the brand name Sorona(R), is worthy of its own subclass called ‘triexta’. With its extreme durability, unrivaled stain resistance and unmatched softness, triexta has been determined to be superior to standard polyester and shares little more than a similar chemical structure.

In early 2006, Mohawk Industries and DuPont jointly petitioned the FTC to establish a new fiber subclass within the existing classification of polyester. Mohawk’s exclusive SmartStrand(R) carpets are made from triexta, which is marketed by DuPont under the trademark Sorona(R).

“We petitioned the FTC for reclassification because our retail partners told us that the current generic name was misleading to consumers and that retailers found it difficult to clearly communicate the benefits of this different and superior product when it fell into the same category as traditional polyester products,” said Jeff Lorberbaum, Mohawk’s Chairman and CEO. “We are thrilled with the FTC’s ruling, particularly because of the business benefits it brings to our retailers. Carpets with triexta offer a true performance advantage to consumers.”

Retailer and consumer testimonials, along with independent testing, have continually confirmed that carpet made with triexta performs better than conventional polyester. The creation of the triexta subclass gives retailers the ability to emphasize and focus on the outstanding features and benefits of the product, instead of defending the negative perceptions sometimes accompanied with the word ‘polyester’.

This ruling is significant, if not historic, for our industry. This is the first extension that the FTC has approved for textiles in 5 years and the first extension for residential carpeting since nylon in June of 1959. This is truly an important moment for carpet and one that does not happen every day.

Triexta fiber is available in a variety of Mohawk carpets including SmartStrand(R) and SmartStrand(R) with DuPont(TM) Sorona(R) renewably sourced polymer.