by AF 1012 g3 — October 14, 2009—InterfaceFLOR, LLC, a leading manufacturer of carpet tile, furthers its progress toward sustainability with a focus on post-consumer carpet content styles created under the company’s Convert design platform. The company now has more than 60 styles within the Convert design platform, each with a minimum 32 percent post consumer carpet content and a minimum 64 percent total recycled content. Like all InterfaceFLOR products, Convert platform styles are designed by David Oakey of David Oakey Designs.
Through its ReEntry 2.0 program, InterfaceFLOR is able to reclaim all carpet types (commercial and residential) regardless of face fiber type or backing. InterfaceFLOR uses patent pending technology that gives the ability to cleanly separate the face fiber and backing of nearly any carpet type. Separated type 6 and 6,6 nylon fiber are recycled into new type 6 and 6,6 nylon for use in the manufacture of carpet fiber and other products. Separated InterfaceFLOR GlasBac backing and similar competitive backings are recycled into new carpet tile backing. Materials not used in InterfaceFLOR’s processes are returned to the supply stream for use in other industries.
InterfaceFLOR has a number of styles that lend themselves to creative installation in pattern by tile designs. Standard 50 cm tiles can be cut in half, on a diagonal, or in any number of sizes and shapes to enhance the look of the floor. InterfaceFLOR’s glue-free TacTiles installation system means that design innovation does not have to be an installation headache for facilities managers.
With TacTiles, individual carpet tiles are connected to each other, not to the floor. TacTiles connectors are 3 x 3 inch squares made from a chemically inert polymer. They are affixed to the backing of intersecting InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles, bonding the tiles to each other and creating a “floating floor” that can be installed in an occupied space without fear of off gassing and fumes.
TacTiles connectors result in an environmental footprint that is more than 90 percent lower than that of traditional glue adhesives. Additionally, TacTiles connectors allow for greater modular flexibility by enabling customers to create moveable, area rug applications without permanent adhesion to the floor, the company notes.
In addition, InterfaceFLOR is launching a product browser that enables designers, specifiers and end users to browse installation photos and choose style options, reducing the environmental footprint of typical product sampling.
For further information, see the Web site.
