In the world of interior design, certain materials quietly redefine expectations — combining beauty, performance and sustainability in ways that genuinely transform spaces.
Celebrated as the “unicorn of textiles,” Xorel by Carnegie is one such material. It has earned its reputation not only for exceptional durability and refined aesthetics, but for its leadership in sustainable innovation. Trusted by designers who demand more from their wallcoverings, Xorel delivers visual impact, long-term resilience and responsible material advancement in equal measure.
Xorel’s story began with a simple yet radical ambition: to create a high-performance textile without PVC or toxic additives - at a time when such thinking was far from mainstream. Carnegie believed materials could be both durable and responsible, and set out to prove it.
Introduced in 1981 as a forward-thinking alternative to vinyl wallcoverings, Xorel challenged industry norms and established a new benchmark for performance textiles. With the later introduction of Biobased Xorel, Carnegie further evolved that commitment - replacing fossil fuel–based inputs with rapidly renewable sugarcane and achieving a remarkable 60–85% biobased content, without compromising strength, longevity or design integrity.
Today, Carnegie continues to innovate with materials that not only enhance interiors visually, but also support healthier, more responsible built environments - reinforcing why Xorel remains one of the most forward-thinking wallcoverings available.
What Makes Xorel Exceptional?
Xorel is a high-performance woven textile engineered to meet the real-world demands of commercial and high-traffic environments — while maintaining the richness, tactility and depth designers seek.
It is performance without compromise. Strength without sacrificing sophistication.
Key Attributes of Xorel Wallcoverings:
Unmatched Durability: Exceeds Type II wallcovering standards, making it ideal for hospitality, workplace and public environments.
Easy to Maintain: Withstands rigorous cleaning protocols without fading, cracking or degrading.
Inherent Performance: Performance is engineered into the fibre itself — not applied as a surface finish — ensuring long-term reliability measured in decades.
Tackable & Colourfast: Functions as a practical tackable surface while maintaining vibrancy under sustained light exposure.
Design & Colour Versatility: From whites that stay white, to rich darker hues with natural lustre, plus Matte Xorel for refined neutrals.
The result is a wallcovering that works as hard as the spaces it inhabits.
Creative Freedom Without Compromise
One of Xorel’s greatest strengths lies in the enormous creative freedom it offers designers. Far beyond a traditional wallcovering, Xorel can be seamlessly applied across vertical surfaces, upholstery, tackable panels and wrapped elements — enabling a unified material language throughout a space.
Its rich texture, depth of colour and consistent performance allow designers to move fluidly between applications without compromising durability or aesthetic intent. The result is cohesion across environments — even where functional demands vary dramatically.
Real-World Success: Beauty and Function in Action
From multi-residential elevator lobbies to high-profile commercial offices, Xorel is specified for its ability to harmonise aesthetics with performance requirements — delivering long-term resilience, enduring vibrancy and surface continuity.
A standout example can be seen in the refurbishment of Peppers Waymouth Hotel in Adelaide, where luxury meets long-term performance. Chosen for its rich texture, durability and ease of maintenance, Xorel features across lobby wall panels, lift interiors, guest room bedheads and robe shelving — creating a refined aesthetic that withstands the demands of high-traffic hospitality environments.
In the Fayshell Beauty and Wellness space, Xorel was used to wrap Zintra acoustic panels, introducing tactile warmth and material consistency into a wellness-focused interior. The application demonstrates how Xorel extends beyond traditional wallcovering — elevating wrapped surfaces while maintaining design integrity.
Together, these projects illustrate the perfect balance of beauty and resilience — delivered with effortless sophistication.
Fayshell Beauty & Wellness
Peppers Waymouth Hotel
The process of Biobased Xorel®: Sugarcane waste → PE Pellets → Biobased Yarn → Textile
Innovation That Matters
For Carnegie, innovation has always meant doing things differently — and doing them responsibly.
In 2013, this commitment evolved further with the introduction of Biobased Xorel, replacing fossil fuel–based inputs with rapidly renewable sugarcane. The result: a significantly reduced carbon footprint without altering the trusted durability and aesthetic integrity designers rely on. Biobased Xorel remains the first and only biobased textile to earn Cradle to Cradle Gold and Living Product Challenge certification.
This innovation with intention continues through:
Responsible return programs for end-of-life materials
Full transparency via HPDs, EPDs and third-party certifications
Material advancement grounded in science — not greenwashing
In choosing Xorel, you’re choosing trusted performance, verified transparency and a partner committed to the future of sustainable design.
With plant-based content, recognised certifications and over four decades of proven durability, Xorel remains one of the most forward-thinking wallcoverings available today.
It truly earns its title as the “unicorn of textiles.”
Experience Xorel firsthand
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