Despite being in what marketing communications firm ERM Shelton has termed a “green communications recession,” sustainability was still visible at Las Vegas Market.
In my recent column about three bedding trends to watch for 2026, I mentioned that sustainability would remain important in the industry. Although there has been a noticeable pullback from companies highlighting green products and initiatives, the category is not disappearing.
In fact, the recent Las Vegas Market was an affirmation that sustainability is still a priority for many companies. Perhaps most notable was the introduction of Carpenter Co.’s ZIPR mattress. In my opinion, this product will be a significant industry disruptor. It’s the kind of innovation that will inspire imitations, and hopefully, a renewed focus on more circular sleep products.
The Richmond, Virginia-based company’s design features layered components that interlock for adhesive-free assembly. Historically, adhesive is one of the most challenging elements when it comes to mattress recycling.
“I’ve been with the company a long time, and this is already making a big splash,” said Michael Faus, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Carpenter Co. “It fits with Carpenter’s model. We have direct-to-consumer mattresses. We could sell the components to people, we could do white-label [products], customizing it for a brand. There are a lot of different possibilities.”
The design, spearheaded by Madelaine Simmons, research engineer at Carpenter Co., was inspired by furniture joinery. “My dad is a bit of an amateur woodworker,” Simmons said. “With wood, there are lots of different joinery techniques that we don’t use glue or nails or anything like that. I thought, if we can do it with wood, maybe we can do it with foam.”
The product, which uses the dovetail pattern, a common woodworking joinery technique, and another added benefit is that when trimmed, there’s no waste. “So far, the feedback that we’ve been getting has been great,” Simmons added.
Currently, there are two patents pending for the product, which will be available as a two-layer or three-layer mattress. “You can change the thicknesses, you can make them taller, you can use different densities,” Simmons explained.
Simmons said that there is more development work that needs to be done, but the team at Carpenter Co. is very excited about ZIPR’s possibilities.
“From an innovation standpoint, financial standpoint, and overall footprint, we’re in a strong position to leverage all that and continue to grow our business as a company,” Faus said. “We’ve added some really talented people. And I think the talent that we’ve brought on board is extraordinary. I think that they will complement our business, complement our customers. I think we’ll see tremendous growth as a result of that, and I think we’ll have great success in 2026.”
Other highlights at the show were Ergomotion’s new RIO Eco adjustable base, which is constructed with 100% recycled fabric made from plastic bottles, and a frame made from 95% recycled metal frame.
“It’s a really high-end product that speaks to sustainability,” said Robert Gellman, director of online retail sales for Ergomotion, based in Santa Barbara, California.
Paramount Sleep, which is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, officially launched its newly redesigned Nature’s Spa Collection. The mattresses in the eight-bed lineup feature a recycled fiber pad made from ocean-bound plastic.
One of the best things about sustainability is that there are so many ways to go about it, and every bit helps.
It’s encouraging to see companies innovate, whether it’s Ergomotion and Paramount Sleep sourcing recycled materials or Carpenter Co. ideating an entirely new product that could reshape the bedding industry for the better.
