PARIS—Tarkett, a leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, demonstrates its strategic vision of sustainable development through the release of its Activity & Sustainability brochure and its Corporate Social & Environmental Responsibility report, audited by a third-party.
“At Tarkett, we believe in a future for all, where people and the planet prosper in balance,” said Glen Morrison, CEO of Tarkett. “We are actively working with all stakeholders to meet the world’s future challenges. This is the essence of our “Doing Good. Together” philosophy, which guides our day-to-day choices and decisions, and transforms our commitment into practical actions. We are connecting our sustainability commitment with what our customers value and what our world needs: developing the circular economy to responsibly steward resources; combating global warming; and contributing to indoor air quality and well-being through our products, as well as supporting local communities as a responsible partner.”
The recent publications share specific progress made in Tarkett’s sustainability focus areas, illustrating how the Group has not only reduced its environmental footprint but also contributed positively to global societal challenges, inspired by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Tarkett tracks social and environmental indicators, committing all teams to reach ambitious 2020 objectives:
Select good materials and design products respecting people’s health and the environment:
- Ninety-six percent of raw materials are assessed by a third party organization, based on their impact on health and the environment, according to Cradle to Cradle criteria. 2020 objective is to reach 100 percent.
- Ninety-six percent of flooring products have low level emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) for improved indoor air quality. 2020 objective is to reach 100 percent.
- One hundred percent of vinyl production sites in Europe, North America and China are using non-phthalate technology.
Preserve resources through circular economy:
- Seventy-one percent of materials used by Tarkett do not contribute to resource scarcity. Priority is given to raw materials sourced from abundant raw materials (for example calcium carbonate), rapidly renewable materials (such as wood or cork) and recycled materials.
- A total of 160,000 tons of recycled materials are used as raw materials, which represents 12 percent of the volume of purchased raw materials.
- A total of 99,000 tons of flooring was collected from 2010 to 2017 through ReStart, Tarkett’s flooring collection program in Europe and North America. In France and in Germany, Tarkett partners with Veolia to offer a take-back service to customers, collecting and sorting post-installation flooring off-cuts to be recycled at its production sites in Europe.
Combat climate change:
Tarkett’s greenhouse gas emissions (per square meter of manufactured product kgCO2 e/m²) were reduced by 9 percent in 2017 versus 2010. More than 28 percent of the energy Tarkett consumes comes from renewable sources, such as biomass, geothermal, solar or purchased “green” electricity. Seven production sites buy 100 percent renewable electricity, among them all facilities based in Ohio.
Support local communities:
Through “Tarkett Cares” program, the Group encourages all employees to spend up to two days a year of their work time on a charitable initiative and to share their time and expertise on a volunteer basis. A total of 1,400 employees were involved in 140 different initiatives.
Tarkett’s “Doing Good. Together.” philosophy is incorporated in its products and activities, illustrating how it follows Cradle to Cradle principles and how it is closing the loop, thus contributing to a collaborative circular economy:
- Calcium carbonate from a Dutch drinking water distribution company is used to manufacture backings for C2C Gold certified Desso EcoBase carpet tiles.
- A partnership with an Italian nylon company is used to source yarn made from discarded fishing nets for Desso carpet tiles.
- Medicine blister packaging and post-used mobile cards are transformed into raw materials for vinyl flooring in Brazil.
- Recycled PVB from end-of-life windshields and safety glasses are used to manufacture Tandus ethos carpet backing in the United States.
- Launching this year at NeoCon in Chicago (June 11 to 13), the new rubber tile “Pentagonals” and the modular carpet “Tailored Twist Collection” are both certified Cradle to Cradle and Living Product Challenge (LPC). In North America, Tarkett is the first flooring manufacturer to achieve an LPC certification for both resilient and soft surface flooring products.
- Linoleum collection Originale, produced in Narni, Italy, is the first certified Cradle to Cradle Gold linoleum collection. This product is made of 100 percent natural and renewable raw materials, such as linseed oil, rosin, cork, wood flour, natural pigments and jute.
- Cradle to Cradle Gold certified iQ One is a new generation of polymer based flooring that is well suited for healthcare spaces. It is 100 percent recyclable, contains no plasticizers at all and has very low VOC emissions.
- To manufacture sustainable parquet and allowing it to preserve natural resources, the company has established with its suppliers responsible sourcing programs through certified wood partnerships. Certifications such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) guarantee both sustainable management of forests and respect of human rights.
Tarkett continues to promote dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders, through conferences on Cradle to Cradle principles, by contributing to the World Economic Forum, as member of “Circular Economy 100” initiative of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, by joining the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders since COP 21 in 2015 and by adopting the 10 principles of UN Global Compact since 2011.
