Soundbite from Scott Kahan’s recent panel discussion at Interwoven Spring 2025, exploring the ways natural fibers like cotton & linen are changing home interiors for the better:
Upholstery maker Regal Fabrics initially rolled out its Kindred sustainable line in 100 percent recycled poly derived from plastic bottles. But Scott Kahan, director of product for Regal, said the company realized they couldn’t compete from a value perspective with the totally recycled product. So they began incorporating natural fibers.
“We quickly found out that charging more for recycled polyester was not chasing value for our customers. It’s a price-driven market, and that wasn’t what people wanted,” he said. “On the other hand, the cottons were still great, so we shifted the whole Kindred line. It’s still always made with at least 51 percent sustainable fibers, but we haven’t made anything with recycled polyester in five or six seasons now because adding the value of cotton or linen works better.”