Nick Bjork//October 26, 2010//

The city of Portland announced today it entered into a memorandum of understanding (PDF) with the Swedish manufacturing company Fagerdala after Mayor Sam Adams visited the country last week.
The MOU, while not legally binding, is a document that outlines Fagerdala’s desire to locate its North American headquarters in Portland, as well as Portland’s willingness to accommodate it.
“The MOU is part of the recruiting effort,” said Noah Siegel, director of international affairs in Adams’ office. “The company, and Sweden in general, is a leader in sustainable solutions.
“That’s why we’ve been so focused on them. But they’ve also been focused on Portland because of our image and mentality for green thinking.”
The company develops and manufactures foams used in automobiles, home construction and home furniture. Fagerdala is most known for producing the foam used in Tempur-Pedic mattresses.
The company would locate its home wing, Fagerdala Hem, to Portland. The wing produces foam that can be used as a cement substitute and is made out of 100 percent recycled materials.
Also in the MOU is a stipulation that the company would participate in the city’s Green Innovation Park – a Portland Development Commission-led effort to create an area that showcases new green residential building products and techniques from businesses all over the world.
Adams was in Stockholm with 10 other U.S. mayors and city leaders for the European Green Capital Conference at the invitation of the city of Stockholm.