Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT), which produces and markets CRAiLAR, a natural fibre made from flax and other bast fibres, has earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label for its CRAiLAR Flax Fiber.

The USDA Certified Biobased Product Label verifies that the product's amount of renewable biobased ingredients meets or exceeds prescribed USDA standards. Biobased products are goods composed in whole or in significant part of agricultural, forestry, or marine materials. The test results for CRAiLAR Flax indicate the percentage of biobased content to be 100%.

 "This is an important distinction for CRAiLAR Flax fibre and our partner brands who use it," said Ken Barker, Chief Executive Officer, Naturally Advanced Technologies.

"Alongside the performance attributes we have uncovered across product categories, it further shapes the story that our partners can articulate to consumers, and provides another layer of assurance that the product ingredients are shaped by sunlight, rainfall, and low-touch inputs."

“All biobased amount claims are verified by independent labs and monitored by the USDA. Consumers may feel secure in the accuracy of the biobased amount and be empowered in making better-informed purchasing decisions,” NAT said in a statement today.

"We are pleased that Naturally Advanced Technologies USA has earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label," said Ron Buckhalt, USDA BioPreferred Program Manager.

"Biobased products provide opportunities to help add value to renewable commodities, create jobs in rural communities and generate investment income."

The label is estimated to be on certified products and available for consumers on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of partner brands. The company today supplies its CRAiLAR Flax to HanesBrands, Georgia-Pacific, and Brilliant Global Knitwear for commercial use, and to Levi Strauss & Co., Cintas, Carhartt, Ashland, Westex, Target and PVH Corp for evaluation and development.

The USDA BioPreferred program was created by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill), and expanded by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill).

The purpose is to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. The United States Department of Agriculture manages the program and products that meet the USDA BioPreferred program requirements carry a distinctive label for easier identification by the consumer.