World first: More than 60% of the DESSO® carpet range is now made with Econyl®, a yarn made from 100% recycled materials

Desso now offers Econyl yarn in more than 60% of its carpet tile range.®, manufactured by the Italian company Aquafil SPA This product is made entirely from recycled materials, including post-consumer yarn waste from the Refinity factory® from Desso.

In early 2008, Desso committed to becoming 100% Cradle to Cradle® by 2020. The Cradle to Cradle® concept is inspired by nature and considers that carpet is made up of nutrients that must be used and reused in a never-ending cycle.

With this decision, Desso ensures that its impact is beneficial for current and future generations. The company aims to "do the right things in the right way." This is why Desso relies on the cooperation and commitment of its key partners to achieve its Cradle to Cradle® goal.

As part of this commitment, Desso now offers Econyl® yarn, manufactured by the Italian company Aquafil SPA, in more than 60% of its carpet tile range. This product is made entirely from recycled materials, including post-consumer carpet yarn waste from Desso's Refinity® mill.

The separation of fibers and backing from used carpet tiles is carried out in Desso's Refinity® factory.

Two material streams are created and after an additional purification phase, the carpet tile fibers are converted back into base material and returned to the manufacturer so that new yarn can be produced.

This new fiber complements the 2010 launch of EcoBase®, a revolutionary underlay that is fully recyclable in the company's own production process.

During a recent visit to Aquafil's regeneration plant in Slovenia, Desso CEO Stef Kranendijk said: "We are proud to be here at Aquafil's recycling plant and to announce that Desso will be using Econyl® yarn, which is made from 100% recycled material, for the majority of its carpet tiles. This is a well-considered choice. We want to use this yarn to achieve the best environmental impact. Moreover, this decision fits perfectly with our Cradle to Cradle® strategy, which aims to close the loop. We are very proud to have a partner of the quality of Aquafil, who supports our long-term vision."

Giulio Bonazzi, President of Aquafil SPA, adds: "For us, Desso is a strategic partner in Europe. Our companies share the same vision of safeguarding high-value raw materials and their infinite reuse. Thanks to Desso's Cradle to Cradle® strategy, we now receive purified used carpet yarns from Desso's Refinity® plant. We use them to produce new yarn. Together, we are trying to close the loop."

Using materials that are healthy and safe for humans is central to Desso's concerns. The cycle must start with good materials and end with good materials. To achieve this goal, Desso does not pursue a "zero" strategy, which would be an unattainable goal. This strategy does not answer the essential question: "How can we ensure that our ecological footprint is positive?"

Desso aims for a "zero toxicity" strategy: "We design our products so they can be disassembled. We source healthy raw materials that enable safe and infinite reuse, and we use renewable energy sources to achieve this."

Concerned about health and well-being, Desso products create a positive impact on people and the environment. Desso's footprint is positive and creative.

DESSO SAS
Flanders Bridge Park
11 rue de Cambrai
75019 Paris
www.desso.com