Recycled PVB From windscreens to carpet

There are over one billion cars in the world. Annually, on average 5-6% of cars have a replacement window. The EU is pushing for recycling of these windscreens, but the laminate material (PVB) that prevents the windows from shattering has not been given a second life, until recently. Interface has partnered with the supply chain to process the laminate and use it in the production of carpet tiles. This means we are able to reduce the carbon footprint of our carpet tiles and extend the useful life of PVB at the same time.

First post-consumer recycled content nylon. Launched the first carpet tile made with 100% recycled nylon yarn. Today more than 400 colourways with 100% recycled yarn are available. Introduced the ReEntry® programme, taking back used carpet tile. 2000 Pioneered microtuft carpet tile, using up to 50% less yarn. Cutting the umbilical cord to oil

Launched the first carpet tile made with biobased nylon yarn. Started the Net-Works® programme, an inclusive new business model. 2015 Launched Microsfera® – lowest carbon footprint ever. 2015 Introduced recycled PVB, decreasing carbon footprint of the precoat by 80%. Interface has a history of radical innovation. In 1994 we started Mission Zero®, our commitment to become, by 2020, the first company to be fully sustainable. This means that by 2020 all our raw materials must be 100% recycled or biobased. We’ve taken many steps to increase the recycled content in our carpet tiles and at the same...

Taking on the biggest impacts Since 2000, we have used Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure the environmental impact of our products. LCA is the scientifically recognised way to measure the actual impact of a product throughout its lifecycle. About precoat The precoat is a key component of the carpet tile, as it’s what keeps the yarn stuck to the backing. Synthetic latex is the main component for precoat throughout the carpet industry. An LCA for a typical carpet tile shows that the raw material stage is responsible for most of the impact. More specifically, the yarn and the latex precoat are...

Typical carpet tile construction Precoat Backing Compound Stabilising Glass Tissue Backing Cover

There are three obvious ways to decrease the environmental impact associated with a raw material: • Use less material • Use more recycled material • Find an alternative material with lower impact At Interface, we are aggressively pursuing all these options. In 2008, we focused our attention on the precoat, a key component of the carpet tile. Seven years later we have multiple results. We have been able to remove the precoat entirely from our Microsfera product, but this solution is not viable for every carpet tile. Our answer for the others? Laminated glass from building glass and car...

PVB facts • Used as a laminate in car windows and building glass • Non-toxic • Non-corrosive • Good tensile strength • Very adhesive • Estimated 1 million metric tonnes recycled material avaliable worldwide Using recycled PVB reduces the carbon footprint of the precoat by 80% compared to traditional latex

Windscreen replacement Glass is sent to a recycling plant The PVB is refined into a dispersion The dispersion is used in the precoat compound

Radical innovation requires expertise and collaboration. Always looking for new ways to do business, we have learned that sometimes the most unlikely partners are just the right ones to complete the process. The precoat is applied to the carpet Completed carpet tile ready for installation

PRODUCT THE SCANDINAVIAN COLLECTION COLOUR 303105 MALMO INSTALLED 1/4 TURN

Just like other raw materials, the properties of recycled PVB vary. That's why every batch of material is tested before it is shipped to Interface. The strict tolerances mean that the performance of a carpet tile with a PVB precoat completely matches that of a carpet tile with a traditional latex precoat. In 2015, the first product range to incorporate the PVB precoat was The Scandinavian Collection. This minimalistic microtuft offers a subtle linear design, creating a modern look that is suitable for a wide range of interiors. Just a year later, the recycled PVB precoat is used in all our standard microtuft...

Mission Zero is our commitment to become, by 2020, the first company to be fully sustainable - which means having zero negative impact on the environment. Ultimately, we want to become restorative, giving back more than we take. 90% carbon reduction in Europe You can judge us by our actions. Since 1996, we have reduced our carbon footprint by 90% in Europe. Producing a carpet tile uses only half the energy it used to in 1996. Our manufacturing plant in Scherpenzeel, the Netherlands, uses 100% renewable energy, made from fish and chocolate waste. The manufacturing process uses virtually zero water,...

www.interface.com Mission Zero: our promise to eliminate any negative impact our company may have on the environment by the year 2020.