Not every mattress/bedding retail buyer or buying committee who purchases from mattress manufacturers knows a great deal about the foam materials, chemistry and physical performance characteristics of those materials used to create foam-based mattresses. However, with increasing concerns about environmental stewardship, safety regulations, health issues, sleep rejuvenation, comfort, resiliency, and performance concerns, some bedding materials suppliers believe that it is important for retailers to know what’s inside a mattress . . . what’s under the hood so to speak, and about the supplier company. Alvaro Vaselli, Senior Vice President, Global Business Development for Foamex International in Linwood, PA, is one of those suppliers who has reached out to both manufacturers and retailers alike to clearly explain the benefits of (VPF) polyurethane foam for home furnishings and bedding products and the advantages of working with Foamex International.

VPF^™ polyurethane foam sold with the slogan "Good for you. Good for the environment" offers both significant customer benefits and clear environmental advantages to Foamex customers, their retailers and the consumer sleeping on VPF-based foam mattresses. Vaselli states, "We (Foamex) invented the most environmentally friendly polyurethane foam-making process available. Our patented process provides a wider range of performance characteristics while increasing the range of applications. The VPF process offers differentiated solutions based on innovation and customer need as opposed to traditional volume-driven foam commodity products. We have evolved our business from simply a foam manufacturer to a market/customer-driven, value-added foam solutions business, even as we have developed a process that offers clear environmental advantages," says Vaselli.

Vaselli easily lists a number of benefits to the environment that the patented VPF process offers. These include; No chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s); no auxiliary blowing agents (ABA’s) such as methylene chloride, acetone or pentane (VOC’s) and no carbon dioxide. Vaselli adds that the Foamex process exceeds global environmental regulations and the plants really emit virtually "zero" emissions by standard measurements. "We are proud to tell our customers, their retailers and the consuming public that our VPF process is the most environmentally-friendly foam process in America . . . Oh and by the way our products are made right here in the USA at twenty-two manufacturing locations across the country with four VPF facilities in Auburn, IN, Cornelius, NC, Orange, CA, and Tupelo, MS."

Vaselli also stresses that Foamex has been conducting research and exploring foam technologies that are green for over ten years. "Our commitment to sustainability is not due to today’s market hype, it is a journey we at Foamex started over a decade ago and will continue for years to come." Foamex developed the VPF process and has used this to create the Reflex^® Natural foam used in home furnishings applications. Foamex has made a strong commitment to future development of natural and sustainable foam materials some of which will be applicable for mattress/bedding manufacturing.

Despite the critical importance of environmentally responsible manufacturing and a commitment to developing new non-petroleum or environmentally sustainable materials, Foamex’s advanced technology foam solutions would be of little or no advantage if they did not offer their customers clear benefits. Vaselli informs BEDROOM Magazine that, "We believe an improved night’s sleep depends on more than just quality memory foam; it’s about the innovations we have brought to the table and offered to some of the top specialty and traditional mattress manufacturers. Our products have moved from traditional visco-elastic (memory foam) to offer Surface Modification Technology (SMT), less temperature sensitivity, increased density for increased comfort, and a more breathable product. We offer our customer pressure controlled manufacturing, consistent fabrication and quality standards, advanced cell formation capabilities, better cushioning, comfort, support and durability among other benefits," states Vaselli.

Retailers and manufacturers interested in learning more about Foamex’s VFP^™ technology foam solutions are invited to contact Foamex at (800) 776-3626 and visit www.foamex.com