PARIS, FRANCE, June 7 , 2018 - Tarkett, a worldwide 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
- 96% 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%.
- 96% of flooring products have low level emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) [1] for improved indoor air quality . 2020 objective is to reach 100%.
- 100% of vinyl production sites in Europe, North America and China are using non-phthalate technology [2] .
- Preserve resources through circular economy:
- 71% 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.
- 160,000 tons of recycled materials are used as raw materials , which represents 12% of the volume of purchased raw materials.
- 99,000 tons of flooring were collected from 2010 to 2017 through ReStart ®, Tarkett's flooring collection program in Europe and North-America. In France and in Germany, we partner with Veolia to offer a take-back service to our customers, collecting and sorting post-installation flooring off-cuts to be recycled at our 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% in 2017 versus 2010. More than 28% of the energy Tarkett consumes comes from renewable sources, such as biomass, geothermal, solar or purchased "green" electricity. Seven production sites buy 100% renewable electricity, among them all facilities based in Ohio (USA).
- 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 . 1,400 employees were involved in 140 different initiatives.
Tarkett's " Doing Good. Together." philosophy is incorporated in our products and activities, illustrating how we design for life our solutions, following Cradle to Cradle® principles and how we are 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 USA.
- Launching this year at NeoCon in Chicago (11-13 June 2018), the new rubber tile "Pentagonals" and the modular carpet "Tailored Twist Collection" are both certified Cradle to Cradle® [3] 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% 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% recyclable, contains no plasticizers at all and has very low VOC emissions.
- To manufacture sustainable parquet allowing to preserve natural resources, we have established with our suppliers responsible sourcing programs through certified wood partnerships. Certifications such as FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) and PEFC(TM) (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 e.g. 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. [4]
For more information, please read: - CSR Report 2017 - Activity and Sustainability Brochure 2017-2018 .
### About Tarkett With net sales of more than €2.8 billion in 2017, Tarkett is a worldwide leader of innovative flooring and sports surface solutions. Offering a wide range of products including vinyl, linoleum, carpet, rubber, wood, laminate, synthetic turf and athletic tracks, the Group serves customers in more than 100 countries worldwide through its major brands: Tarkett, Desso, Johnsonite, Tandus Centiva, Tarkett Sports, FieldTurf and Beynon. With approximately 13,000 employees and 34 industrial sites, Tarkett 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 based on Cradle to Cradle® principles and promotes circular economy, with the ultimate goal of contributing to people's health and wellbeing, and preserving the natural capital. Tarkett is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A, ISIN: FR0004188670, ticker TKTT) and is included in the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Mid 60. www.tarkett.com .
Tarkett Investor Relations Contact Tarkett Alexandra Baubigeat Boucheron alexandra.baubigeatboucheron@tarkett.com
Tarkett Media Contacts Tarkett Véronique Bouchard Bienaymé communication@tarkett.com Brunswick tarkett@brunswickgroup.com Tel. : +33 (0) 1 53 96 83 83
[1] Total volatile organic compounds < 100 ug / m 3 (% of m 2 produced, flooring only). VOC levels are 10 to 100 times lower than the strictest standards.
[2] Except recycled content for certain products. In this context, Europe is equivalent to Tarkett EMEA division.
[3] Pentagonals is C2C Bronze certified and Tailored Twist is C2C Silver certified when placed on ethos® with Omnicoat Technology(TM) backing.
[4] Global Compact's 'Advanced level' was reached by Tarkett in May 2018:
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