Universal Fibers Enters Into a Strategic Relationship with Verdezyne

BRISTOL, Va., Dec. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Fibers, global industry leader in the development and production of sustainable, solution-dyed carpet fiber and refreshfiber®, announced it has entered into a strategic relationship with Verdezyne, a privately held industrial biotechnology company focused on producing renewable, bio-based chemicals. Verdezyne will supply its bio-based adipic acid to Universal Fibers for use in its industry-leading, sustainable EarthSmart Technology®.

"Within our strategic global markets, great emphasis has been placed on sustainability," said Marc Ammen, CEO of Universal Fibers Systems. "Some companies focus on a cradle-to-cradle model, while others seek to reduce environmental impact and avoid petroleum depletion. Universal Fibers products support all of these initiatives. Our commitment to sustainability is steadfast and unwavering. We believe that micro-organisms can be the chemical producers of the future, and welcome this opportunity to work toward common objectives with Verdezyne on our quest to achieve sustainability, while employing any and all technologies." 

Brendan McSheehy, Universal Fibers' director of Innovation and Sustainable Technology, added, "From the source of its ingredients, to the scale of its environmental footprint and multiple useful lives, this brings us significantly closer to achieving our goal of providing the world with fiber technology that is truly sustainable and not reliant on oil." "Holding this bio-based nylon 6,6 yarn in my hands, and knowing that more than half of its content came not from petroleum, but from fermented waste plant stock, I am both humbled and proud. Humbled that we are taking a big step toward achieving a petroleum-free polymer, and proud that we are collaborating with true innovators like Verdezyne."

President and CEO of Verdezyne, E. William Radany, Ph.D., said, "As leaders in sustainable fiber technology, we are extremely pleased to be partnered with Universal Fibers in commercializing Verdezyne's bio-based adipic acid for use in their EarthSmart commercial carpet fiber." "Universal Fibers has set themselves apart by creating high-performance, innovative and sustainable carpet fiber systems, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with such an outstanding company."  

About Universal Fibers
U.S. headquarters- Bristol, Virginia, ISO 9001 and 14001 certified, Universal Fibers is a global multi-polymer synthetic fiber producer, and markets its yarn systems globally to residential, commercial, transportation and industrial market sectors with operations in North America, Europe and Asia. The company is also a sustainable leadership member of Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), and works actively within that organization to promote carpet reclamation and sustainability.

For more information, call 1-276-669-1161, email [email protected] or visit www.universalfibers.com.

About Verdezyne
Verdezyne is an industrial biotechnology company using proven and proprietary metabolic pathway engineering tools to develop unique yeast strains for cost-effective production of bio-based chemicals. Current investors in Verdezyne include BP Alternative Energy Ventures, DSM Venturing B.V., OVP Venture Partners and Monitor Ventures. For more information, visit www.verdezyne.com.

SOURCE Universal Fibers, Inc.