C&A's Ethos Backing Earns Key Environmental Awards; Alternative carpet backing technology recognized as Top 10 Green Product of 2004.

DALTON, Ga. -- C&A Floorcoverings, a Tandus company, is pleased to announce that ethos(TM), its high recycled-content cushion backing made from recycled PVB film from safety glass, has been named a Top 10 Green Building Product of 2004 by two respected, industry-leading publications. BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec Directory, and Architectural Record both recognized ethos in their December 2004 issues for its environmental characteristics. C&A was the only carpet manufacturer selected for inclusion in these accolades.

"Reflected in our Top 10 list this year is a concern about energy," said GreenSpec coeditor Alex Wilson. Other issues reflected in the selections are water conservation, toxin reduction, and longer product life cycles.

Tandus and C&A have long been committed to finding the next evolution in carpet backing. ethos, a non-chlorinated thermoplastic terpolymer created from reclaimed PVB film used in laminated safety glass, is an alternative to other structured backings, such as EVA, polyurethane, polyolefin and PVC. For years, manufacturers have recycled glass, but few had delved into additional uses for recovered PVB. C&A is the first manufacturer to mine this abundant waste stream to recycle the thermoplastic resin into a high-performance carpet backing.

"Tandus Technologies, our research and development group, has been evaluating alternative backing polymers for a number of years," said Mac Bridger, CEO of Tandus. "It's part of our culture and our heritage that we provide our customers with a choice of products at a comparable cost that suit their specific needs without compromising our products' performance."

During the research process, C&A studied and evaluated a number of alternative polymers, but only one met all of C&A's stringent performance and environmental criteria. Ultimately, ethos meets or exceeds the traditionally superior performance of PVC backings without chlorine or phthalates, does not contain antimicrobial pesticides, incorporates high post-consumer recycled content and is 100% closed-loop recyclable into carpet backing.

C&A has a history tracing back to the 1960s of introducing significant technological carpeting innovations to the marketplace. In 1996, C&A introduced ER3(R) for modular carpet, the industry's first 100% recycled content secondary backing, and in 2004, the company launched ER3 Cushion for six-foot products. The company manufactures ER3 using the Infinity Initiative, its proprietary closed-loop recycling process. This patented process recycles any post-consumer vinyl-backed carpet, regardless of original manufacturer, into 100% recycled content secondary backing for new ER3 floorcoverings. C&A employs the Infinity Initiative to manufacture and recycle ethos.

Benefits of ethos

This new backing allows customers to have a high-performance, environmentally preferable, aesthetically pleasing carpet that can be recycled infinitely, reducing the production of virgin materials and keeping products from being landfilled.

"C&A offers recycled content backing and total product recycled content in every product, every time, and every product is 100% recyclable - today - with existing programs and equipment, into new carpeting. Our recycling program isn't based on future expectations or capabilities," said Bridger.

All of C&A's recycled content product lines contain post-consumer content and have a required minimum 31% recycled content overall.

ABOUT C&A FLOORCOVERINGS

C&A manufactures high-performance modular tile and six-foot structured back carpeting. A recognized leader in environmental stewardship and the first and only manufacturer to make 100% recycled-content vinyl backing, C&A is one of few manufacturers with a carpet reclamation and recycling program in place. The company's Sustainable Warranty guarantees that all carpet returned will be recycled in its entirety and that no portion will be landfilled, incinerated (waste to energy) or disposed of in any other way. More information can be found online at www.cafloorcoverings.com.

As part of Tandus, C&A works in tandem with Crossley Carpet Mills and Monterey Carpets to provide customized interiors solutions for its customers. Based in Dalton, Ga., Tandus is a leading manufacturer of commercial floor coverings.