The invention is a formulation for use in the manufacture of carpets. The formulation is combined with polymers such as, but not limited to, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA, a co-polymer) to provide carpet backing formulations which exhibit excellent tensile strength. The formulation of the invention can be provided to carpet manufacturers as a separate product to be added later to a polymer for a use in carpet backings. Alternatively, the formulation can be added to a polymer such as EVA or compositions comprising EVA and then applied to a carpet backing to provide a carpet with a carpet backing exhibiting excellent tensile strength.