InterfaceFLOR, worldwide leader in the design and production of innovative and sustainable modular flooring, is set to wow visitors to this year’s Ecobuild with a stand that proves by its very make up that sustainability is a key driver of both innovation and design.

“As well as showcasing core ranges from our design-centric, high performance product portfolio – which are made using the latest sustainable manufacturing methods in line with our Mission Zero ambition – we have something particularly special planned for the stand itself,” says Lynne Gawthorpe, regional director of marketing for UK and Ireland at InterfaceFLOR. “It will reinforce that our sustainability philosophy goes way beyond production, taking visitors right into the heart of the company’s beliefs.”

InterfaceFLOR has made unrivalled progress on its journey towards total sustainability. Its Mission Zero pledge, to become the world’s first fully sustainable company by 2020, was established in 1994, and has impressive results to date with the total energy consumption per unit of output down 45 per cent and a $405m reduction in waste, equating to a 67 per cent reduction in the volume of waste sent to landfill. In addition, InterfaceFLOR’s European factories operate on 100 per cent renewable electricity, all proving that acting responsibly and sustainably can have a positive impact on an organisation’s bottom line, as well as driving innovative practices such as Biomimicry.

Our products with random designs use the principles of Biomimicry – where nature’s processes and designs are applied to manmade objects or environments - and will be on display at Ecobuild. Entropy carpet tiles, for example, have been designed to simulate the random patterns, shades and colours of nature’s floors, such as those formed by forest leaves or pebbles on a beach.

Products with random designs lend themselves to more sustainable installation methods too; as each tile is unique, the products can be laid non-directionally, resulting in faster installation and creating less than 1 per cent installation waste. InterfaceFLOR has even created an installation system, TacTiles™, for its carpet tiles that eliminates the need for glue, further streamlining the installation process and making it easy to replace and recycle products at the end of their life.

“The quest for true sustainability has led us to develop other imaginative services, such as Intercell®, our unique cable management and fuel efficient underfloor heating system,” continues Lynne. “There’s also The Versaflex™ System, which has been developed with complete flexibility and portability in mind, and which enables hard and soft flooring to be laid together to create a truly versatile space. It’s ideal for fast-changing retail and office environments, and as it can be walked on as soon as it’s laid, it means minimum downtime and disruption to businesses.”

The recycled content of all InterfaceFLOR products, as displayed at Ecobuild, is being continually increased, demonstrating the company’s unwavering determination to close the loop in product manufacturing and to make use of not only post-industrial material, but post-consumer material.

Lynne concludes: “We have always been keen to share our sustainability knowledge and findings with the wider built environment industry, and we have a number of our dedicated sustainability experts speaking at the main seminars at Ecobuild. There will also be the opportunity for delegates to talk to these speakers in person on our stand, and we look forward to welcoming visitors eager to share our experiences and discuss the biggest issues in sustainability.”

-ENDS-

Press contacts: Deepa Vyas or Janine Maxwell, Kinross + Render. Tel: 020 7592 3100. Email: dv@kinrossrender.com

Notes to editors

InterfaceFLOR is the modular flooring division of Interface Inc, which is based in Atlanta, USA. In Europe, InterfaceFLOR has manufacturing facilities in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Craigavon, Northern Ireland and Scherpenzeel in Holland, plus sales offices in most major cities. As a worldwide group, InterfaceFLOR is committed to developing its business through innovation - finding new methods, materials and designs to excite customers and to roll back the boundaries of conventional floorcovering.

The global leader in the design and manufacture of environmentally responsible modular flooring, InterfaceFLOR designs, manufactures and supplies carpet tiles for designers and architects in the public and private, commercial and residential sectors. InterfaceFLOR has a holistic and comprehensive sustainability policy; its Mission Zero commitment promises that the company will become not only fully sustainable, but restorative by 2020, by putting back more than it takes out.

For more information, visit www.interfaceflor.co.uk