A Special Q&A for Interior Designers on Soy Foam

Posted by Jessica, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on September 11, 2009

If you’re an interior designer, this post is written specifically to answer your questions and hopefully, inspire you to become a catalyst for positive change in the home furnishings industry. And if you’re not an interior designer, you’re still welcome to follow along!

Let’s start with some background on why interior designers may consider specifiying products made using soy foam with BiOH polyols…

1.Clients are often seeking more environmentally friendly and healthier options for their homes, and designers are expected to bring solutions. (The Green Design Summit held earlier this year was a great venue to learn about some of those options.)
2. Many large jobs being bid require designers to source sustainably. (Check out one great example: The Charity Works GreenHouse project)
3. It’s the right thing to do for environment! (Cushions made in part with soy-based BiOH polyols leave a smaller environmental footprint since BiOH polyols require less energy to manufacture and have a smaller carbon footrpint. They also use less petroleum chemicals – reducing the industry’s use on this non-renewable resource.)

Now let’s address some questions you might have…

1. What exactly is soy foam?

Download our Fact and Defintions document for some background on how foam is made, etc.

2. How much of the “soy foam” is made from soy?

Our Fact and Defintions document gives more detail, but the typical levels of soy content in foams range from 5 to 20% – depending on the type of foam. (Higher density foams can often be made with higher levels of soy-based content than lower density foams.) Renewable BiOH® polyols were introduced just a few years ago. Since this is first generation technology, flexible foam manufacturers want to ensure that the foam meets certain performance requirements. Right now, 5- 20% is the typical range used across foam grades to meet the performance needs for the industry. The BiOH polyols team is working with flexible foam manufacturers to increase the use of the renewable, soy-based content over time. This is the first step on a journey, and every step counts!

3. What about fire retardance issues?

In our experience, manufacturers test soy foams the same as all petroleum-based foams to ensure that they pass all specifications.

4. Are foams made with BiOH® polyols biodegradable?

Foams made with BiOH polyols are not more biodegradable than traditional petroleum-based cushioning. Products made with our products are long-lasting and durable like traditional cushioning. Polyurethane foam, however, can be recycled at the end of its life.

5. Will people with soy allergies react to foam products made with BiOH® polyols?

See an earlier blog post on the topic of soy allergies.

6. What other eco-friendly cushion options exist?

The majority of upholstered furniture cushioning is made with polyurethane foams. Therefore,  polyurethane foams made in part with soy-based BiOH polyols represents a more eco-friendly choice for most manufacturers to satisfy both their performance and cost requirements. However, another option is the use of natural latex for cushions. Natural latex is made from renewable materials. (Note: latex is often a blend of both natural and synthetic ingredients so it is good to confirm the amount of renewable content in latex products.)  Latex cushions typically cost more than foam.

For more information on soy foams, please explore our FAQs.

Now onto some additional important information, where can you find products using soy foam with BiOH polyols for your clients? You can find products through several retailers, or direct from manufactures like American Leather, LEE, C.R. Laine, Cisco, Willem Smith, Harden, and many more! Additionally, soy foam with BiOH polyols is commercially available from many foam suppliers so it should be easy for any of your manufacturers to source if they ask!

You Can Make a Difference

As Interior Designers, you truly have an opportunity to be catalysts for change in the industry! Your clients trust you to be knowledgeable about the latest trends and to create design solutions for their home that fit their lifestyle. The great news is that your clients don’t have to sacrifice quality or style when choosing furniture made using soy foam with BiOH polyols…and they get to reap the emotional benefits of feeling good about choosing more sustainable products!

The positive impact from each individual furniture purchase made using soy foam with BiOH polyols is small. However, when many people seek better options that fit their lifestyle, each individual purchase decision adds up in a larger movement towards reducing use of petroleum and leaving smaller environmental impacts. You (and your clients) can make a difference!

Whew! That was A LOT of information packed into one blog post. So without further ado, I’d love to hear thoughts or questions from designers about soy foams in furniture. What are your thoughts on soy foam?

Does the Perfect Seat for Your Seat have Soy?

Posted by Jessica, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on September 1, 2009

It might if you’re shopping at LaDifférence in Richmond, VA during the month of September as they hold their Perfect Seat for Your Seat Sale! La Diff is a contemporary retailer that delivers great style along with a lot of enthusiasm and character.  You get a taste of the La Diff shopping experience just by walking past their store windows for the latest buzz. Who wouldn’t want to walk inside to check out their offering?