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Fibrex® Material
Sustainable Composite Uses Reclaimed Wood Fiber

A History of Innovation
Innovation has been a hallmark of Andersen Corporation since its founding in 1903. From implementing techniques for mass production in 1904 – nine years before Henry Ford – to producing the first completely assembled window unit in the industry in 1926 and introducing cladding to the window industry in 1966, Andersen has been on the leading edge of technology and innovation. Our guiding principle has always been to “make a product that is different and better.” Each step of the way we have incorporated the latest technologies and high standards in our continuous quest for improvement.

Developing Fibrex® Material
One of our most innovative ideas to date is Fibrex® material. This revolutionary composite combines the strength and stability of wood with the low-maintenance features of vinyl. Andersen scientists began working with vinyl in the 1950s, and engineered composite window materials in the 1960s and 1970s. After decades of experience working with these two materials, Andersen patented composite window technology and Fibrex material in 1995.

Fibrex material is a sustainable structural composite that blends the best attributes of wood fiber and polymer – much of the wood-fiber reclaimed directly from Andersen’s milling operations. Fibrex material is a thermoplastic technology that allows for heatfusing, or welding, the material when used to produce window frames. The company produces Fibrex material in small pellets that can then be extruded into various profiles and cut into specific sizes and shapes. Independent testing has found that Fibrex material has a low thermal expansion and contraction rate, is resistant to rotting and termites and retains its rigidity and stability in high temperatures.

Because a major ingredient of Fibrex material is wood fiber, Andersen is able to maximize the use of this material within our manufacturing processes – a practice that reduces the company’s need for raw timber while reclaiming much of the wood waste stream. Additionally, pre-consumer Fibrex material can be reclaimed and reprocessed into new components. Andersen has preserved hundreds of thousands of board feet of lumber since the introduction of Fibrex material.

Andersen has received recycled content certification for nearly all Andersen branded products as well as Renewal by Andersen® window replacement products from thirdparty certifier Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). This certification is among the first of its kind in the window and door industry and states the minimum amount of preconsumer recycled content used in specific products.

Today, Andersen uses Fibrex® material in the construction of many of its windows and doors including its 400 Series and 200 Series products and Renewal by Andersen® replacement windows. In addition, Fibrex material is used as the primary material in Andersen’s newest product line: 100 Series.

100 Series Products and Fibrex® Material
Andersen® 100 Series products are constructed of Fibrex® material. Economically priced and engineered for energy-saving performance, 100 Series windows and doors are specifically designed for the architectural styles and building techniques of the Western U.S.

Andersen 100 Series products feature clean, contemporary design and are available in single-hung, gliding, casement, awning and specialty fixed styles in more than 1,200 sizes and can be specified in more than 20,000 combinations.

About Andersen Corporation
Andersen is a privately-owned business founded in 1903 by Danish immigrant Hans Andersen and his family in Hudson, Wisconsin. Andersen Corporation, headquartered in Bayport, Minnesota, is now an international enterprise employing more than 10,000 people in locations across North America with sales worldwide.

Andersen was among the first window companies in the nation to meet ENERGY STAR® performance requirements in all geographic regions, winning several ENERGY STAR awards over time. The company was the first window and door manufacturer with Green Seal certified products that meet that organization’s energy efficiency requirements and their manufacturing requirements for packaging in a consistent, environmentally responsible manner.

In addition, Andersen holds Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody (COC) certification (SCS-COC-001337) from Scientific Certification Systems. By obtaining this COC certification, Andersen is able to manufacture and deliver FSC wood-based products that help achieve LEED Materials and Resource credits, or in other sustainable building programs where applicable.

For more information, visit www.andersenwindows.com.

Note to editors: Visit the Andersen Media Room at www.andersenwindows.com/pressroom for downloadable, highresolution images and background information about this and other Andersen news.

“ENERGY STAR” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Andersen” is a registered trademark of Andersen Corporation. All other marks where denoted are marks of Andersen Corporation. ©2009 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.

July 2009

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