As the only major flooring manufacturer to take a stand at this year’s Ecobuild exhibition, Tarkett’s commitment to the environment and sustainability remains as strong as ever. When other companies may be thinking about cutting back on investment in sustainable technologies and product development, Tarkett is continuing to lead the market. And visitors to the show were keen to seek them out.
Tarkett representatives reported a steady flow of visitors to the stand, ranging from individual flooring contractors, right through to major clients and government departments. Jude Jackson, Supply Chain Development Manager for Tarkett, commented: “Days 2 and 3 of the exhibition were particularly successful for us as I met with several Main Contractors who specifically searched for our stand, wanting detailed information and follow up work on our sustainability credentials. Throughout the week we welcomed a steady stream of visitors, all of whom were extremely positive towards our products and sustainability concepts.”
Ecobuild provided the perfect forum for Tarkett to showcase its ‘Balanced Choice’ approach to sustainability. Tarkett’s choice of sustainable flooring solutions is an integrated system that offers customers the chance to balance all their competing needs while making choices that are truly sustainable and work together aesthetically. Products on display included Tarkett’s new colour range of linoleum flooring. Made from natural, renewable materials, linoleum has always been a popular choice, and Tarkett’s ‘xf’ surface protection ensures strong surface toughness and excellent resistance to abrasions, stains and chemicals.
Tarkett’s Safety Flooring ranges were also well received. Featuring an R-10 slip resistance rating in a range of colour and design options, they are manufactured using up to 30% recycled material. The company’s iQ range and LVT products also feature recycled materials in their composition, as well as surface treatments that mean no wax or polish is ever needed.
Alongside this were further details on Tarkett’s recycling initiatives, including the provision of cages and big bags to major contracts that have helped to significantly increase the amount of material returned for recycling. Tarkett operates three recycling plants in Europe and throughout the Group over 130,000 tonnes of material is recycled per year.
Within Tarkett, environmental responsibility is driven by the Chief Executive and senior management teams, filtering down through the various business units including sales offices, production sites, training centres and recycling plants, with all employees having a vital role to play in ensuring that sustainability is an everyday practice, not just an idea.