A new upholstery material designed for commercial interiors is said to biodegrade under landfill conditions while maintaining the durability and cleanability expected of traditional vinyls

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Hyphyn is designed to match the durability and cleanability of conventional vinyl, with the added benefit of landfill biodegradability, according to manufacturer Nassimi

Textile manufacturer Nassimi has launched Hyphyn, a performance upholstery vinyl it claims is the first of its kind to biodegrade under landfill conditions. According to the company, the material maintains the same commercial-grade durability as conventional vinyls while addressing end-of-life environmental concerns.

Hyphyn is manufactured with a patented enzyme system and proprietary resin formulation, which, according to Nassimi, enables the material to biodegrade by more than 90% within 24 months in controlled landfill environments. The enzyme system is embedded throughout both the PVC face and polyester backing, and is activated by landfill-specific microbial activity.

The company states that Hyphyn’s biodegradation process does not generate microplastics or toxic residues. Instead, it claims the breakdown releases inert gases that can be captured and used for energy. Nassimi also says the material can be incinerated without producing harmful dioxins.

Designed for high-traffic sectors including hospitality, healthcare, workplace and education, Hyphyn is positioned as a drop-in alternative to traditional vinyl upholstery, with comparable strength, cleanability and maintenance requirements. It is not designed to biodegrade in-use, but only under landfill conditions.

To support its environmental claims, Nassimi cites five areas of third-party testing:

  • Material safety – Hyphyn has been tested for hazardous content and is said to be free from lead, PFAS, formaldehyde and other substances restricted under Prop 65, RoHS and REACH.
  • Biodegradability – Independent testing reportedly confirmed over 90% degradation within two years under simulated landfill conditions.
  • Soil toxicity – Post-degradation soil analysis found no presence of over 1,000 targeted toxic chemicals, according to Nassimi.
  • Soil health – In a germination test, 100% of seeds reportedly sprouted in soil treated with Hyphyn degradation remnants.
  • Indoor air quality – The product is described as low-VOC and tested for compliance with indoor emissions standards.

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