THE LVT market has grown substantially, yet in recent years, some leading architecture and design firms have begun to exclude PVC-based LVT products from their specifications owing to sustainability concerns. Historically, carpet tile has set the standard for sustainability in flooring, with key manufacturers consistently raising the bar. As LVT’s popularity continues to grow, it too must evolve to meet the key sustainability criteria demanded by today’s market, says SHAW CONTRACT.

Sustainability is a must
The demand for performance and sustainability data for LVT products has become a routine expectation, with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) being requested by specifiers, consultants, and end-users alike.

With many stakeholders committed to net zero targets and adhering to Environmental Social Governance (ESG) policies, transparent product data is essential for meeting certifications like WELL, BREEAM, LEED, and SKA, which emphasise responsible chemical use and indoor air quality, says the company.

Beyond product composition, factors such as installation practices and end-of-life management are crucial for achieving long-term circularity and conservation of resources.

While the advantages of LVT, such as durability, availability, cost efficiency, and ease of installation, are well established, the challenge lies in combining these benefits with the market’s growing sustainability demands.

Closing the Loop
Shaw Contract is described by the company to have a legacy of advancing product sustainability, having introduced EcoWorx, the first bitumen and PVC-free carpet tile, in 1999. This ‘groundbreaking’ product was the first flooring product to achieve cradle-to-cradle certified status, verifying it as safe, circular, and responsibly made, says the company.

EcoWorx was designed with end-of-life recyclability in mind and made from non-toxic materials, setting a new standard for eco-friendly carpet tiles, says Shaw Contract.

It adds: ‘Building on this foundation, Shaw Contract has recently launched EcoWorx Resilient flooring, the first ever PVC-free, non-vinyl resilient flooring product. Made from recycled content, it’s fully closed loop recyclable, meaning it can be reclaimed through Shaw’s re[TURN] Programme at the end of its life and made into new EcoWorx carpet tiles, making it a truly circular flooring product.’

The best of both worlds
Andrew Jackson, business development director of Shaw Contract EMEA, comments: ‘The success of EcoWorx carpet tile demonstrated that a carpet tile can be PVC-free without sacrificing performance. We wanted to bring the same innovation to LVT – developing an option that offers all the performance and aesthetic attributes of LVT but without including vinyl.’

With a GWP of 5.2kg CO2 per sq m, EcoWorx Resilient is said to be optimised for low embodied carbon and carbon neutral. Free from PVC, ortho-phthalates and plasticisers, it’s Cradle-to-Cradle Certified silver, and GREENGUARD certified. It also has a HDP and EDP certification to support Shaw Contract EMEA’s material health and low embodied carbon claims.

The Art + Science EcoWorx Resilient collection is available in a 2.5mm glue down product. Available in plank format across two natural-looking offerings, Pivot and Observe, its described by the company to provide versatile design options ideal for commercial environments including workplace and education segments. Pivot features 15 woodgrain effects, whereas Observe offers stone-effect visuals in six neutral tones.

A major step forward
The launch of EcoWorx Resilient aligns with Shaw Contract’s ‘People Together, Planet Forever’ sustainability pledge, addressing material health, carbon reduction, and circularity goals with its call to action – Neutral is Not Enough, says the company.

Andrew notes: ‘We believe it isn’t enough to just take a neutral stance when it comes to material health, circularity or carbon. The introduction of EcoWorx Resilient shows our commitment to acting in each of those areas and represents another significant step forward in our sustainability journey.
He adds: ‘From a material health commitment perspective, almost 90% percent of our product portfolio is Cradle-to-Cradle Certified. Our operational footprint has reduced by 57% since 2010 and we continue to lower the carbon footprint of our products.

I really believe that EcoWorx Resilient being closed loop recyclable through our re[TURN] Reclamation Programme is a testament to our commitment to the circular economy and will set a new benchmark in the flooring industry, changing the way we think about hard surface performance and circularity. I’m excited to see how it drives us forward to a greener future.’
infouk@shawcontract.com
www.shawcontract.com/en-gb