INVISTA, the global textile industry pioneer, has unveiled Stainward carpet, a new carpet brand endorsed by the well-known Antron carpet fiber brand that is designed to meet the specific needs of the China market.

Intended for use in hotel rooms, Stainward carpet offers superior carpet flammability performance compared to polypropylene fiber, making it ideal for the needs of Chinese customers looking for a carpet solution that looks smart and that will perform.

Designed and tested at INVISTA's state-of-the-art laboratory in the USA, the research and development for Stainward carpet took two years. Tests were conducted against exacting performance criteria.

Stainward carpet was found to offer both better flame resistance than carpet made from polypropylene fiber and also outstanding stain resistance compared to carpet made of type 6 nylon. It is available in a number of colors to suit a wide variety of hotel interior designs and color schemes.

As a solution designed for China, Stainward carpet will also be manufactured in China under license from INVISTA by Zhejiang Jiayuan Carpet Manufacturing Co. Ltd. The company has over 20 years' experience in carpet production and was one of the first factories in China to produce woven carpet. INVISTA Performance Surfaces Business has a 15-year relationship with the company.

"The China market is strategically critical to INVISTA both as a market and as a production base, and the launch of Stainward carpet, as a product designed for and manufactured in China, is a fitting testament to that," said Mark Delaplane, Vice President of the company's Asia Pacific Flooring business.

“Our global reach and decades of experience equip us with an unparalleled understanding of the markets in which we operate, and this enables us to develop differentiated products like Stainward carpet that meet the diverse requirements of our customers. It's a strategy that served us well in the past and I'm confident that Stainward carpet, with its unique appeal to end-customers and endorsement from our respected Antron brand, will be a great success."

INVISTA Performance Surfaces business has a solid presence in China, with local production of Type 6 nylon and processed yarns located close to customers across the country. Other brands marketed by INVISTA Performance Surfaces include its flagship Antron carpet fiber brand, with product lines including Antron Lumena solution dyed nylon and Antron Legacy nylon.

The launch of Stainward carpet therefore marks a significant addition to the existing product portfolio of INVISTA's Performance Surfaces business. In other segments of China's commercial carpet sector, the company is already a major player, as well as being one of the largest producers of polymers and fibers globally.

INVISTA's constant pursuit of opportunities to innovate and collaborate at every stage of the textiles and apparel value chain make the company unique in the industry. Its networks of long-standing relationships position the company ideally to identify and harness synergies between mills, manufacturers, distributors and retailers, adding value to partners and sharpening their competitive edge.

"Stainward carpet was created in response to what we were hearing from our partners in China, who identified demand for a carpet fiber with several of the same key benefits as Antron, but at a more affordable price point," continued Mark Delaplane of INVISTA.

"Following a lengthy and careful research and development process, I believe Stainward carpet provides an exact match for their needs and illustrates what is possible when a global company applies its know-how and resources to developing solutions for a specific market need. INVISTA will continue to seek opportunities to serve the growing needs of its customers in China and all over Asia."