Greenscreen? Fabrics Bring PVC-Free Solar Control to Multiple Contract Installations (release)
09 July, 2004

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ - GreenScreen fabrics are the first line of PVC-free solar shading fabrics designed exclusively for internal and external contract roller shades and solar control systems. The GreenScreen fabric line debuted at the GreenBuild Conference 2003. This debut led to the installation of GreenScreen fabrics on several leading projects, including the new headquarters of Wind NRG Partners LLC in Vermont, and the new offices of Guaranty Bank & Trust in Denver, Colorado. The entire product line is now available through authorized dealers in North America.

GreenScreen fabrics are available in five levels of openness (blackout, 3%, 5%, 10% and 25%). GreenScreen fabrics also are FR rated, meeting even the strictest standards in North America and Europe (NFPA 701, M1, and B1). "GreenScreen gave us the right aesthetic and functional solar control solution while contributing to a healthier environment because it does not contain PVC," said Andrew Shapiro of Energy Balance Inc., energy and environmental consultant for the Wind NRG project. GreenScreen is distributed through Nysan Shading Systems (a Hunter Douglas company), an innovator in solar control solutions. "The elimination of PVC content in the production of GreenScreen fabrics means the material contains no VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) and does not "off-gas" [the emission of unpleasant, sometimes strong odors] during the life of the fabric," said Jason Warnock, sales and marketing director at Nysan. In addition, PVC-free GreenScreen fabrics are more quickly recycled and diverted from landfills. GreenScreen is the only line of PVC-free contract fabric to offer this level of sustainability while maintaining FR characteristics.

An immediate solar-control solution that helps reduce building energy costs, GreenScreen fabrics bring a new standard of sustainability to the contract market. "Hunter Douglas has been a leading innovator in sun shading and daylighting for over 50 years, with the finest window coverings, ceilings, and solar control solutions," said Marv Hopkins, President & CEO of Hunter Douglas. "Now, we are even more committed to create a healthy and sustainable workplace by integrating that tradition of innovation with a functional, environmental, and aesthetic approach to solar control."

"Solar control is a crucial link in the sustainability chain," said Dick Dolmans, secretary general of Verozo, trade organization for the solar control industry in Belgium, and a co-founder of the nascent European solar control trade organization. "By looking at the building holistically, including heat, light, and energy resources, not only are solar control solutions such as the GreenScreen line of fabrics more environmentally friendly due to their lack of PVCs, but they also create more sustainable, productive buildings."

For information on innovative products and to receive updates on other Hunter Douglas installations and projects, visit www.hunterdouglascontract.com or call 800-964-2580.

Nysan Shading Systems is a leading provider of engineered solar shading solutions to the architecture and design community throughout Canada and the United States. The company is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Hunter Douglas is the world market leader in window coverings and a major manufacturer of architectural products. Hunter Douglas North America is headquartered in Upper Saddle River, NJ. The Hunter Douglas Group employs 16,000 people worldwide and had sales in 2003 of E1.655 billion ($1.87 billion).