Tarkett Receives First-Ever Re|focus Sustainability Innovation Award
ethos® Modular Carpet Tile with Omnicoat Technology™ was Recognized
Tarkett, a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, receives the Re|focus Sustainability Innovation Award in the Design category for ethos Modular Carpet Tile with Omnicoat Technology.
The Plastics Industry Association and the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Sustainability Division launched the Re|focus Sustainability Innovation Awards during the 2019 Re|focus Sustainability & Recycling Summit May 20-22, 2019 in Grand Rapids, MI. The awards are designed to recognize the companies that are pushing the boundaries of innovation—driving environmental advantages in product design, sustainable materials and end-of-life recovery. The winners in each category were determined by a jury, made up of members of the Plastics Industry Association and the SPE Sustainability Division, and were based on innovation, environmental impact and market impact.
“With 41 entries received, it’s an honor to be acknowledged with the Sustainability Innovation Award for Design. The Re|focus Sustainability and Recycling Summit, hosted by the Plastics Industry Association, is attended by a diverse range of industries such as cosmetics, apparel, automotive, and healthcare. Each is passionate about transitioning from a linear to a circular and regenerative economy, and Tarkett is thrilled to be collaborating across industries to create sustainable solutions,” states Sarah Robinson, Product Sustainability Manager, Â Tarkett North America.
ethos® started with a simple idea: Create a soft surface flooring solution from safe materials, while providing a positive environmental impact without compromising quality.
The answer came from an unexpected place: broken windshields. In 2004, Tarkett was the first to harness the PVB film in recycled windshields and safety glass, creating a time-tested alternative to traditional carpet backing polymers. This PVB film is a responsibly sourced, post-consumer material that can be taken back through Restart®, Tarkett’s closed loop recycling program.
ethos is a proprietary, non-PVC backing that’s not just highly sustainable, but also has the ability to stand up to subfloor conditions of 15lbs MVER, 98% RH, and 11.0 pH. ethos is adaptable to nearly any moisture situation. As long as there’s no evidence of standing liquids or moisture staining, ethos eliminates the need for moisture, pH and MVER testing when installed with TarkettTAPE™. This makes ethos a huge timesaver on the job site during installation.
The ingredients in ethos have been assessed rigorously by a third party to verify it contains no carcinogens, reproductive toxins, or chemicals of concern such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and antimicrobial treatments. All ethos products include Tarkett’s fluorine-free, Eco-Ensure™ soil protection technology, (a Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Platinum product for material health), emphasizing our commitment to People-Friendly Spaces. In addition, ethos became Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Silver v3.1, the first of its kind in North America.
Tarkett believes that together, we can make a positive impact on people and the planet. That’s why we’re Doing Good—Together, connecting our sustainability efforts with what our customers value and our world needs. It’s an active, living commitment to create a future where people and the planet prosper in balance. Where sustainable flooring solutions don’t just perform. They inspire.
More information about all of Tarkett’s products can be found at www.tarkettna.com.
About Tarkett
With a history stretching back 135 years, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative flooring and sports surface solutions, with net sales of more than € 2.8 billion in 2018. Offering a wide range of products, including vinyl, linoleum, rubber, carpet, wood, laminate, artificial turf and athletic tracks, the Group serves customers in over 100 countries across the globe. Tarkett has 13,000 employees and 36 industrial sites and sells 1.3 million square meters of flooring every day, for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields. Committed to “Doing Good—Together,” the Group has implemented an eco-innovation strategy that is based on Cradle to   Cradle principles and promotes a circular economy, with the ultimate goal of contributing to people’s health and wellbeing, and preserving natural capital. Tarkett is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A, ISIN: FR0004188670, ticker: TKTT) and is included in the following indices: SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 www.tarkett.com.
