ShowTex unveils ecologically friendly curtains

13 December 2010

Belgium - ShowTex has announced a range of ecological velvet theatre curtains as part of its environmental policy plan.

The Shakespeare and Molière flame retardant cotton velours developed by ShowTex are the first in the industry to be awarded OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification.

For almost 20 years, the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 has been acknowledged as a comprehensive and verifiable method for ensuring that textile products and the supply chains that create them do not use hazardous chemicals such as pesticides, carcinogenic dye stuffs, heavy metals, or other concerning substances that can hurt people and damage the environment.

The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a certification tool for 'greening' the total textile supply chain. The certification can be applied to every phase of production, from fibre to fabric to finished products, confirming that all elements are free from harmful levels of dangerous substances.

Shakespeare velvet velour is 100% cotton, weighs 500g/sq.m and meets flame retardant standards NFP-M1 * BS-2B. ShowTex undertook the certification process in response to recent green theatre initiatives around the world and a growing interest in ecological products for the event and entertainment industry.

The announcement coincides with the publication of ShowTex's environmental policy statement which declares: "ShowTex is dedicated to educating and encouraging its staff to be responsible green citizens and we endeavour to work with partner organizations that share our green values. We will continue to review the environmental impacts of our business to identify and, where practicable, set ourselves improvement targets and monitor progress in order to improve our performance each year."

(Jim Evans)