Shaw earns patent on boating carpet backing

DALTON, Ga. – Shaw Marine, a business segment of Shaw Specialty Products has received a patent for its innovative polyurethane foam backing, NuWave Bac®. In May 2014, U.S. Patent #US 8,728,581 B2 was issued for “Embossed Carpet Backing, also known as Shaw’s Nu Wave Bac®.”

Since its creation in 2009, NuWave Bac has gained wide acceptance in the boating industry as a superior marine carpet used for snap-in/snap-out applications. NuWave Bac’s water-impervious urethane is created with embossed wave channels that keep the carpet above the boat floor. The backing’s design enables water to flow away from the carpet and air to flow under it.

Fred Thomas, marketing manager for Shaw Specialty Products, says the backing can be very beneficial for exposed areas on boats. “Prolonged standing water can cause carpet backing deterioration, resulting in what is referred to as “black sand” on the boat deck,” Thomas says. “We haven’t seen this with our NuWave Bac.”

Thomas noted that the backing also provides additional comfort underfoot. Two styles are currently available with NuWave Bac: Nona, a cut-pile construction, and Port of Call, a loop pile construction. Both styles carry a 5-year warranty against UV degradation.