Sustainable Products Training Launched

Washington, DC, March 9, 2007--MTS is launching Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and sustainable products training with leading manufacturers for product purchasers. Sustainable products are best for the environment, economy, and social equity. LCA evaluates a product’s environmental benefits over its entire life from raw materials to reuse. SMART Training and Certification for Linoleum reinforces the substantial Forbo investment over 10 years in product improvement, life cycle assessment, and adoption of the SMART© Flooring Standard. The Training also compliments MTS’ Capital Markets and Consumer Campaign Initiatives to stop dangerous climate change. MTS is launching this initiative to help stop irreversible dangerous climate change. Leading scientists and governments emphasize that we must make substantial pollution reductions in the next 5-10 years or else dangerous climate change will cause global collapse. MTS expects 50,000 purchasing professionals to receive the training this year with substantial growth after 2007. "The Clinton Climate Initiative complements an already ambitious environmental program at Knoll," said Andrew Cogan, Knoll CEO. "For well over 25 years, we have been a quiet leader in policies and practices designed to protect the biosphere, conserve natural resources and reduce waste." "A lot of our customers have expressed a desire for LCA & Sustainable Product Training. Knoll has invested heavily in product improvements," says Lou Newett, Knoll Environmental Director, and Vice Chairman, SMART© Building Product Committee that adopted the consensus SMART© Sustainable Building Product Standard. Forbo Flooring CEO Denis Darragh and MTS Chairman believes "SMART Training and Certification for Linoleum reinforces the substantial Forbo investment over 10 years in product improvement, life cycle assessment, and adoption of the SMART© Flooring Standard. The Training also compliments MTS’ Capital Markets and Consumer Campaign Initiatives to stop dangerous climate change." Ralph Bicknese, Principal, Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects, a leading sustainable architecture firm, is Vice Chairman, SMART© Building Product Committee. "We made the commitment to lead the adoption of SMART© with the American Institute of Architects 2015 Climate Change Imperative to effectively deal with the global climate change emergency," says Bicknese, "but it’s also great for business." "USG has received many awards for its leading-edge training programs and this effort may be our most important given the demands and opportunities presented by climate change" says Rik Master, USG Architectural Systems Manager. Jason Grant, Marketing Director for Wood Floor Resource Group adds "As a leading manufacturer of FSC-certified and LEED-compliant wood flooring, we’re committed to providing the resources, including this Training, to help the green building movement achieve sustainability." MTS is a nonprofit public charity of leading environmental groups, companies, and governments achieving 90% sustainable products market penetration by 2015. About 80% of SMART© credits reduce climate pollution globally, and SMART© meets all criteria for effective sustainable or environmental product evaluation tools.

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