The global design and construction industry is growing at an astounding pace. A Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics study estimates that construction output across the globe will grow by 85% by 2030. This continued growth directly correlates to expanding construction activity across most major cities worldwide. However, as building and construction continues to be of the biggest contributors to waste, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, the challenge for industry professionals is to identify products and solutions that help mitigate long-term environmental harm and satisfy environmentally-conscious clients who still demand top notch quality and performance.
According to the Green Building Council Australia (GBCA), the residential and commercial building sectors are the cause of an estimated 23% of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. The GBCA also highlighted that the construction industry is responsible for indirect emission of greenhouse gases and environmental harm caused by material production, waste disposal and energy consumption throughout the construction process.
Driven by growing awareness of the environmental impact of construction along with client demand, sustainable practices and products have become a top priority among industry professionals. Against this backdrop, Carpets Inter invented an innovative, sustainable carpet product that turned old plastic into a practical design solution.
Carpets Inter EcoSoft® is an environmentally-friendly carpet tile backing that fights pollution while delivering first-class performance. Distributed by Above Left, EcoSoft® is a first-of-its-kind, 100% recyclable carpet tile backing systemthat is made from 80% post-consumer material re-engineered from discarded drinking water bottles and 5 to 10% post-industrial recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and meets all the exacting performance criteria required for carpet tile. In production for 14 years, EcoSoft® has seen the recycling of over 700 million PET bottles.
Ideal for intensive use applications such as commercial offices, malls and other public spaces, EcoSoft® offers superior acoustic performance. Compared to traditional hardback carpet tiles, EcoSoft® delivers almost twice the level of sound absorption, making it a perfect solution for open plan offices or spaces where acoustic privacy is an issue. Third party test results show that EcoSoft® outperforms hard back tile by more than 150%-175% in sound absorption effectiveness and performs in accordance with ENISO354:2003. The reduction in reverberation time offered by EcoSoft® can help a room satisfy the Green Star IEQ-10 Internal Noise Levels requirement.
EcoSoft® has superior dimensional stability and improved resistance to pile crushing, ensuring it is up to the task in high traffic, high density areas. It is also 40 times more permeable than most modular carpet tile solutions, offering maximum breathability and a full warranty when installed over wet slabs.
EcoSoft® is a carpet tile backing solution that is not only sustainably manufactured, but also contributes to better, more liveable environments for end-users. EcoSoft® provides excellent underfoot comfort, reducing leg fatigue and improving occupant wellness. It also significantly outdoes hard-backed carpet tile systems in terms of thermal performance and insulation. EcoSoft® has been shown to be up to 150% more thermally efficient than other comparable solutions.
EcoSoft® also complies with the Indoor Air quality requirements set out by the Carpet Institute of Australia and the USA Carpet and Rug Institute. This product includes a reduced amount of volatile organic compounds, meaning it is safe for end-users and meets stringent air quality needs.
With impeccable environmental credentials, EcoSoft® is a design solution that delivers functionality, style and sustainability. It has been certified to the highest achievable Environmental Certification Scheme rating (ECS4) and provides 100% Green Star points on the Mat-2 calculator. Each square metre of EcoSoft® contains the equivalent of 50 recycled standard 550ml PET bottles, ensuring that materials that would be otherwise discarded and left for waste are diverted and remade into effective design solutions.
Above Left and Carpet Inter’s commitment to sustainability is not limited to product design. Implementing sustainable practices across the entire process from manufacture to distribution, these two companies aim to reduce their carbon footprint across their entire global business and in doing so remain at the forefront of sustainable design.
For more information and to learn more about EcoSoft®, visit Above Left’s website at: https://www.aboveleft.com.au/products/ecosoft.
