For over 20 years, we have been working to create environmentally-friendly design floors. Today, for example, we use our own, and indeed others', factory waste in the production. 2016 – 2018, the number of collections with recycled materials increased from 36% to 100%. At the same time, the total proportion of recycled materials increased by over 500%. And of course, we are proud but not yet satisfied.
of our collections contain recycled materials
increase in proportion of recycled material 2016–2018
reduction in industrial waste 2016–2018
In 2018, our raw material demand dropped by 750 tonnes via recycling.
This means that the same raw material is sufficient for a greater floor area and our environmental impact decreases. This gives low-input flooring. And, we love it. Thanks to the internal passion and inventiveness, recycling is an integral part of our production. And the proportion of recycled materials will only increase in the coming years. This is how we create low-input design from industrial waste.
Our plastic raw material, PVC, is made of 57% salt and 43% oil that, via chemical processes, forms a polymer. The result is a durable plastic that is free from harmful chemicals such as phthalates and heavy metals. By using salt, significantly less fossil raw material is required when compared to other plastics. The unique polymer structure also makes the PVC 100% recyclable multiple times after its long useful life.
Our floors consist of 39% calcium carbonate, 37% PVC, 18% plasticisers, 2% fibreglass and 2% stabilisers and 1% pigment. From a fossil perspective, this means that the floors contain 33% fossil raw material, which comes from plasticisers and PVC, the remaining 67% of the flooring contains inorganic material. Of the inorganic materials, the majority are salts to which there is very good access in the Earth's crust.
Our polymer is only purchased from vinyl manufacturers that meet the requirements for Best Environmental Practice PVC. The participating factories are energy efficient and have small emissions during production.
calcium carbonate
fibreglass
stabilisers
pvc
pigment
plasticisers
A Bolon floor is both long-lived and hardwearing. For this reason, it always comes with a 10 or 15 year guarantee. And it is the material itself, combined with the unique structure, that gives the product its impressive properties.
Moreover, the design contributes to a longer useful life. Good design is, after all, design that lasts longer. We have also laid the foundations and created the conditions for circular product management, by developing toxin-free flooring and introducing glue-free installation for certain applications.
Develop new thread for better durability and longer life
Open our own factory for all parts of the production and transition to 100% renewable electricity
New warehouse is built, resulting in reduced transports between the plants
Start new integrated recycling facility, reducing both resources and climate impact
Start purchase of external production waste
Purchasing of raw materials from Best Environmental Practice companies
All of our collections contain recycled materials
Learn more about our sustainability approach through our report below.