Having launched Embodied Beauty as the industry’s first carbon negative carpet tile collection in 2020, Interface is following up with the nora by Interface rubber flooring prototype that also stores more carbon than is emitted through its manufacture, measured cradle-to-gate from raw material extraction to manufacturing and packaging.

“Our R&D team has made incredible strides to find the right mix of design and material innovations to achieve this,” said Mario Kröger, head of R&D for the nora brand. “We have measured the prototype’s cradle-to-gate carbon footprint and achieved carbon negativity without offsets.”

Interface acquired nora systems in 2018 and since then has been working to bring its expertise in low-carbon design and manufacturing to the rubber flooring category. Through manufacturing innovation, Interface successfully lowered the carbon intensity of its rubber portfolio by 26% since 2019. Now, the new prototype incorporates additional recycled and bio-based materials.

Interface is featuring the prototype at BAU, the trade fair for architecture and materials taking place in Munich this week (January 13-17), alongside 39 carbon negative carpet tile styles.

“More than ever, rubber is emerging as a priority flooring solution for commercial interiors, especially in healthcare, education, transportation and other industrial segments,” said Liz Minné, head of global sustainability strategy at Interface. “By offering our customers a carbon negative rubber solution in the future, we can help them reach their sustainability goals without compromising on design or performance benefits.”

Interface aims to make the product commercially available in late 2025. It will be further refined and prepared for commercialisation over the coming months, ensuring it meets the highest levels of design, quality and performance required for all Interface products.

www.interface.com