Since 1950, Carnegie has been guided by a simple philosophy: do good, never settle, be better. For more than 75 years, that belief has shaped how we design materials, support our partners, and pursue responsible innovation.

Founded in 1950 by Bob Goldman and later led by his son Cliff, Carnegie was built on enduring commitments to design excellence, our employees and clients, and the development of responsible, high-performance materials. These principles continue to guide our company today.

Over the decades, that foundation has led to defining innovations, including Xorel® and Biobased Xorel®—the world’s first biobased high-performance textile. It has also shaped Carnegie’s broader commitment to material transparency, rigorous third-party documentation, B Corp accountability, and a forever PVC-free portfolio.

In 2017, Calera Capital partnered with Cliff Goldman and became the majority owner of Carnegie. The partnership created a foundation for the company’s next chapter while preserving the values, entrepreneurial spirit, and long-term thinking that have guided Carnegie since its founding.

Carnegie’s commitment to sustainability grew naturally through the development of Xorel in the late 1970s and its introduction in 1981. As Bob Goldman learned more about the material’s composition, manufacturing process, and performance, he saw an opportunity to think beyond aesthetics and technical specifications. Xorel inspired a more holistic approach to material sourcing, manufacturing impact, product longevity, and end-of-life considerations.

Because Carnegie was closely involved in Xorel’s development and manufacturing, the company invested not only in its production relationships but also in the Xorel yarn itself. By partnering with independent manufacturing facilities while maintaining direct oversight of design, testing, and innovation, Carnegie built a model that continues to push material development forward.

Today, this same mindset informs our broader portfolio of textiles, wallcoverings, and acoustic solutions. Across product categories and partnerships, we continue to explore material and manufacturing pathways that bring together refined design, proven performance, and long-term responsibility.

In the late 1990s, Bob passed the leadership of Carnegie to his son Cliff. Building on the company’s established values, Cliff expanded Carnegie’s focus on material transparency, third-party verification, and the role materials play in creating better interior environments.

Carnegie began working with MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry) and the Cradle to Cradle framework, and in 2007, Xorel achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver. Xorel’s performance does not depend on added topical finishes—a principle that became central to Carnegie’s product-development philosophy: the best finish is no finish.

Carnegie also continued to invest in new PVC-free material platforms, including thermoplastic olefin chemistry for coated and printed wallcoverings, while expanding the portfolio with recycled, mono-material, and biobased content.

In 2013, Carnegie introduced Biobased Xorel®, the world’s first biobased high-performance textile. Made with rapidly renewable, plant-based sugarcane and containing up to 91% biobased content, it retained the durability, cleanability, and versatility that have defined Xorel for decades. In 2019, Biobased Xorel became the first textile certified under the Living Product Challenge.

Being a caring, thoughtful, and responsible company has always been part of Carnegie’s culture. Bob and Cliff Goldman built the business around design excellence, respect for employees and clients, and a commitment to continually improving the materials we bring into the world.

Carnegie became a Certified B Corporation in 2014 and was recognized by B Lab as Best for the World in 2018 and 2019. These milestones reflect a broader responsibility that extends beyond individual products. As a B Corp certified manufacturer, Carnegie remains committed to accountability, continuous improvement, and using business as a force for good—for our employees, clients, communities, and the environments we share.

At Carnegie, creativity begins with partnership. We work alongside architects and designers to transform ideas into materials and solutions that support how people work, learn, gather, heal, and live.

Creative curiosity runs throughout our studio. Textile designers, graphic designers, weavers, artists, and makers collaborate across disciplines to explore color, construction, performance, and material impact. Our Creative Studio, Design Services, and sales teams are designed to feel like an extension of the designer’s own process—open, responsive, and collaborative.

For more than 75 years, this spirit of partnership has helped us work through design, product, and technical challenges alongside our clients. We did not set out to lead simply for the sake of being first. We have continued to ask how materials can be more beautiful, more useful, and more thoughtfully made.

That is how Carnegie has moved forward since 1950—and how we continue to build a better future with materials that matter.