Tarkett Group company and leading carpet tile manufacturer Desso has achieved Cradle to Cradle Gold level certification for a new collection of carpet tiles.
A major milestone in its Cradle to Cradle (C2C) journey, Desso has also become the first carpet tile manufacturer in the world to achieve this prestigious Gold level certification. Desso’s journey, which began seven years ago, was inspired by the goal of transitioning to the circular economy based on C2C principles.
To be launched in all key markets in October 2015, Desso’s new ‘Gold Collection’ comes standard with an EcoBase backing that contains upcycled re-engineered calcium carbonate (chalk) sourced from local drinking water companies, which is 100% recyclable in Desso’s own production process. ECONYL, a 100% regenerated nylon made from recovered waste materials including post-consumer yarn waste from DESSO's Refinity plant is also a key element in the new carpet tile collection.
Desso’s Gold Collection offers multiple benefits including 100% positively defined materials; 100% regenerated yarn (ECONYL); 80% recyclable materials and 52% recycled content on average; very low VOC content; and contribution to LEED v4 points.
Desso’s journey to the Gold level certification was one of intensive effort and hard work as they were required to fulfil a broad range of tough environmental and human health criteria, defined within the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard framework. Products are certified by the independent Products Innovation Institute based in the US. Next to this collection, 93% of Desso’s commercial carpet tile range is Cradle to Cradle certified at Bronze or Silver levels depending on the backing type.
A philosophy developed by German chemist Dr Michael Braungart and US architect William McDonough, Cradle to Cradle calls for companies to search for healthy materials, effective recycling systems and processes, good water stewardship, social fairness and renewable energy. Cradle to Cradle principles enable manufacturers to make goods designed for more than one product lifecycle in an ever moving non-toxic closed loop, increasingly powered by renewable energy. This circular economy, which helps tackle several major global challenges including resource scarcity, toxicity and climate change, is estimated to unleash as much as a trillion dollars a year globally through smarter use of material streams.
Desso is committed to making the transition to the circular economy by meeting Cradle to Cradle standards.
Describing the Gold level certification as an important milestone in their circular economy journey, Roland Jonkhoff, Managing Director, Desso and Vice President Carpet EMEA, Tarkett said that the innovations required on their path to becoming a C2C company continue to contribute to their commercial success.
