DESSO manufactures its first 'Cradle to Cradle' carpet tile
25 February 2009
Carpet manufacturer DESSO has released its first 'Cradle to Cradle' product with the carpet tile 'Pallas'. Later this year two more Cradle to Cradle products will be introduced, which shows that DESSO is well on its way to have a full Cradle to Cradle product line in 2020. Cradle to Cradle means that products should be developed with the intention that they will eventually be recycled, as either industrial or biological nutrients, reducing energy costs and the expense of wasting new raw materials.
Sustainability is one of the DESSO core values. Waste separation, recycling, CO2 reduction and water purification have been fixed elements of the production process for many years already. Both certificates are a reward for the investment and ambition by DESSO to ensure sustainable manufacturing as much as possible. Alexander Collot d' Escury, Chief Commercial Officer at DESSO is pleased with the first Cradle to Cradle product. Collot d' Escury: "We invest heavily in Cradle to Cradle and this is beginning to pay off. This certificate is a reward for our dedication to be a sustainable corporation."
Cradle to Cradle
The Cradle to Cradle concept was developed by the German chemist Michael Braungart, founder of the EPEA (Environmental Protection and Encouragement Agency) and an authority on green manufacturing and recycling. Currently the Netherlands only has just a few companies featuring Cradle to Cradle certified products. In short, Cradle to Cradle means that all raw materials and waste must be fully recyclable, and that is truly not an easy task.
In order to be awarded a Cradle to Cradle certificate, the EPEA evaluates and analyses all materials used in the manufacturing process. Apart from this independent EPEA evaluation, the certificate counts amongst other sustainability certificates, such as the 'CRI Green Label Plus'. This certificate, which was recently awarded to DESSO, is the highest standard for indoor air quality and is proof that the carpet manufactured by DESSO complies with the strictest standards in order to minimise chemical emission. DESSO also has the 'BRE' certificate.
Social responsible and sustainable entrepreneurship holds many possibilities
The 'Pallas' tiles have been part of the DESSO collection for many years and now comply with the 'Basic' EPEA certification requirements. According to Stef Kranendijk, CEO at DESSO, this is an essential step in order to realise the long-term objectives to have the full DESSO manufacturing process certified as Cradle to Cradle.
Kranendijk, who previously held top positions at large organisations, including Procter & Gamble, has practically embraced Cradle to Cradle immediately from the moment he joined DESSO as CEO. "Social responsible and sustainable entrepreneurship offers huge possibilities, especially now, in times in which the world changes quicker than ever before", according to Kranendijk. "We hope our objectives prove to be an example which will trigger others to also adopt a more sustainable operational management."
