Tarkett Unveils Innovative Circular Recycling Program for Powerbond Carpet
In a remarkable advancement towards sustainability, global flooring manufacturer Tarkett has launched an innovative circular recycling solution for its acclaimed Powerbond® hybrid carpet, which has been a staple in the industry since its inception. The new initiative not only enhances Tarkett’s commitment to sustainability but also showcases a groundbreaking method of converting old materials into new resources.
At the heart of this initiative is Tarkett's ReStart® take-back program, designed to collect and recycle used flooring products. By harnessing the unique properties of mushrooms, Tarkett is now capable of transforming reclaimed Powerbond carpet into biobased raw materials. These materials will be repurposed in upcoming products from Tarkett Sports®, set to hit the market soon.
Powerbond, originally developed in 1967, was the first hybrid carpet flooring product to ingeniously combine the luxurious feel of carpet with the functional durability of resilient flooring. More than five decades later, it remains unsurpassed in quality and performance—a testament to Tarkett's ongoing dedication to innovation.
Roxane Spears, Vice President of Sustainability at Tarkett, expressed the significance of this endeavor, stating, "Reclaiming Powerbond after years, or even decades, of use and converting it into biobased raw material represents a substantial milestone. This is not merely a step forward; it is a breakthrough in sustainable practices."
This innovative recycling initiative follows a successful year of collaboration between Tarkett and Mycocycle, a biotech firm specializing in utilizing mushroom root systems (mycelia) to decompose construction waste. This partnership has resulted in significant advancements towards achieving circularity in Tarkett’s product lifecycle.
"As a leader in sustainability, Tarkett has built passionate teams across its divisions that fundamentally align on shared values, both in vision and action," said Cameron St. Dennis, Strategic Recycling Manager at Tarkett Sports. This synergy reflects in the commitment to continuous testing and refinement of processes until tangible innovations emerge.
Eddy Schmitt, President and CEO of Tarkett Sports, emphasized the importance of innovation in both performance and environmental considerations, asserting, "This initiative empowers us to transform reclaimed materials from one division into high-performance products for another, showcasing the impact of circularity through collaborative expertise."
Tarkett’s ReStart program has made significant contributions to the field of recycling, with eight dedicated recycling centers worldwide, including one in Dalton, Georgia. Over the last 14 years, the company has successfully reclaimed more than 124,000 tons of flooring materials. In 2024 alone, North American operations saw a dramatic 40% increase in collections, resulting in the recycling of 2.1 million pounds of flooring materials. This surge has been fueled by growing environmental consciousness among Tarkett’s clientele.
The Powerbond flooring is renowned not only for its performance but also for its health benefits, marked by the 2022 achievement of becoming the world's first Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® soft-surface flooring. This accolade highlights its role in promoting better indoor air quality across various settings, including schools and senior living environments.
"Tarkett’s legacy pivots on a commitment to innovation that propels meaningful changes in the flooring industry," states Winn Everhart, President and CEO of Tarkett North America. "The collaboration within our family of companies points to a shared vision of manufacturing durable, high-performance products infused with circularity."
With their holistic approach to sustainability, Tarkett is not just focused on recycling but strives to repurpose every type of flooring—regardless of the manufacturer—through its ReStart take-back and recycling program. As they work towards influential environmental goals, Tarkett’s science-based carbon emissions reduction targets are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning with the global aim to limit temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
For more insights into Tarkett's sustainability initiatives and their commitment to enhancing the industry, visit their website at commercial.tarkett.com/sustainability. Through these innovative measures, Tarkett is indeed paving the way for a more sustainable future in flooring solutions.