Carpeting manufacturer and green industrial pioneer InterfaceFLOR has announced the launch of a new line of carpet tiles that the company claims to be the industry’s most sustainable ever.
According to the company,
Biosfera I uses less yarn than ever before and is the first collection of
carpet tiles to use 100 per cent recycled yarn. The pre-consumer and post-consumer raw material used to manufacture the tiles is collected in part from
InterfaceFLOR’s own products, creating a low waste, closed-loop system of production.
"Years ago we were told that it was impossible to recycle nylon yarn, an oil-rich material that is integral to our carpet tiles, but a hurdle in our mission for sustainability," Nigel Stansfield, InterfaceFLOR senior vice president of Product and Innovation, said. "However, we have dispelled this myth by encouraging our suppliers to push the boundaries of
innovation and help us to develop materials, processes and products that cause lower environmental impacts. Biosfera I is one of the results of this collaboration and has unprecedented environmental qualities throughout its entire lifecycle – from the sourcing of materials, through to
production, installation and disposal."
Resource efficiencyUsing less yarn has been a key element in InterfaceFLOR’s goal to become greener and reduce its carbon footprint, half of which comes from processing the oil-rich material. By working with suppliers, the company has been able to increase its total
recycled or bio-based raw materials used by 39.5 percent since 1996.
The carpet’s carbon emissions are offset during its total lifecycle, the company said. Additionally, the company uses an innovative, glue-less method of installation that doesn’t worsen homes’ air qualities.
The company claims that the new collection, which includes three products, maintains top-notch durability, acoustic quality and texture despite its low yarn weight. The tiles are available in neutral colours suitable for most commercial environments, the company said.
InterfaceFLOR has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2020.
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