ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY The owners, officers and managers of Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, headquartered in Hickory, NC, take the Company’s position as a leader in the flexible polyurethane industry seriously. Expenditures in manpower and capital necessary to comply with applicable local, state and federal environmental regulations demand a significant portion of the Company’s operating budget. At every plant location, Hickory Springs works hard to be a good, responsible neighbor. Innovation and improvement are keys to success. Unlike many foam competitors, who rely on suppliers for advancements in foam technology, Hickory Springs fully staffs a Foam Technology Department. This team of experienced chemists, engineers and technicians has a primary function of research. Hickory Springs will continue to endeavor to discover and develop new foams and processes well into the 21st century and beyond. Hickory Springs follows the philosophy of continuous improvement in all areas of its business operations. Environmental corporate stewardship is no exception. Hickory Springs - First Bio-based Foam Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, producer of flexible polyurethane foam for the furniture, bedding and other industries, today announced the introduction of a breakthrough foam product that will mean far less reliance worldwide on the need for non-renewable petrochemical resources in foam manufacture. Based in Hickory, NC, the 62-year-old privately-held business has devoted over 45 years to creating new foam products. Hickory Springs’ extensive research and development has a history of innovation, including fire retardant Code*Red foams and a line of value-added high resilience EnduroPlush foams.The Company’s six foam plants were among the first in the nation to eliminate the use of CFCs and methylene chloride as auxiliary blowing agents.Based on human health concerns, Hickory Springs was also an industry leader in the elimination of PBDE fire retardants. Hickory Springs' latest development comes at a time of rising petroleum prices and concerns about raw material availability. This new product marks the Company's first foray into the creation of a flexible polyurethane foam that replaces a portion of its petrochemical-based ingredients with a reactive material made from a sustainable, renewable resource, while providing cushioning that is comparable, if not better, in terms of quality and performance to oil-based foam formulas on the market today. (continues) Download the Full PDF Article