Cradle to Cradle Certifications

We strive to eco-design with good materials.

This starts with the ingredients that go into our flooring. Since 2011, we’ve worked with the scientific institute EPEA to apply Cradle to Cradle® (C2C) principles throughout our activities. We have assessed thousands of ingredients to understand their impact on our health and the planet and continually seek to improve our products with new formulations and alternative ingredients.

CRADLE TO CRADLE CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRINCIPLES

According to Cradle to Cradle® and circular economy principles, products should serve as ingredients in new manufacturing processes or as nutrients in the biological cycle at the end of use.

The Cradle to Cradle® certification is based on 5 criteria:

• material health
• material reutilisation
• renewable energy and carbon management
• water stewardship
• social fairness
   

The certification looks at the chemical ingredients used in the product formulation. It assesses the effects on human health and the environment, considering the risk of exposure on the flooring application as well as their ability to be recycled/composted. Cradle to Cradle® helps Tarkett on the continuous optimisation of its products and the certification system allows to identify the opportunities of improvement.

Tarkett is a pioneer in sustainable design and now has several products that are Cradle to Cradle® Bronze, Silver or even Gold certified. Tarkett offers certified products in almost all product categories, from heterogeneous resilient floorings to wood floorings, including linoleum, carpet and homogeneous floorings. Even non-certified products are assessed according to the Cradle to Cradle methodology regarding material, environmental and human health.

IQ ONE VINYL FLOOR COLLECTION: CRADLE TO CRADLE® GOLD CERTIFICATION

iQ One is the new generation of homogeneous non-PVC flooring and is perfectly balanced between aesthetics, flexibility and strength. iQ One benefits from a unique formula of homogeneous thermoplastic flooring, without PVC nor plasticisers, and provides the same unique benefits that have made iQ a recognised name for decades. It is ideal for high-traffic areas with specific requirements such as public areas, education and healthcare facilities. Its outstanding flexibility eases installation and coving. It is the world’s first Cradle to Cradle® Gold certified homogeneous flooring, confirming Tarkett’s pioneer role in sustainability.

CARPET: DESSO ECOBASE® CARPET TILE BACKING: CRADLE TO CRADLE GOLD-CERTIFICATION

Made with 100% positively defined materials, Tarkett’s DESSO EcoBase carpet tile backing has achieved Cradle to Cradle Gold-level certification, with Cradle to Cradle Platinum level for material health. It contains at least 75% recycled content (upcycled chalk)*,  and is made in plants powered exclusively by renewable electricity. The entire backing can be separated from the carpet tile and safely recycled at Tarkett’s purpose-built production line. Recycling EcoBase-backed carpet tiles generates CO2 savings of up to 20% per product cycle compared to co-generation of EcoBase in the cement industry. All DESSO carpets can be fitted with EcoBase backing, while our Cradle to Cradle Silver-certified AirMaster range, which is proven to help ‘clear the air’ of fine dust, is fitted with EcoBase as standard.

 *A tile using EcoBase backing contains up to 89% recycled or renewable content without compromising on material health or performance.