In the shift to a circular economy, plastics are a point of contention. This year, Earth Day’s theme was “Planet vs. Plastics”, linking to the demand of a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040. However, thanks to their impressive durability and constantly improving recyclability, vinyl and LVT floor coverings have a sure place in a more sustainable future – as manufacturers are proving right now.

The first stage for any vinyl manufacturer is to prioritise sustainability by finding facts and setting targets. One example of this, Amtico, appointed its first full-time Sustainability Manager, Chris Robinson-Hart, as well as four more sustainability champion roles within the company, during September 2023.

The company had previously contracted external experts to help develop its ongoing sustainability strategy, Responsible Foundations. It only sees this prioritisation within the brand as a growing focus, setting KPIs in 2021 that the company has pledged to measure and report on over the next 5 years across four main pillars: fighting climate change, reducing waste, championing
innovation and empowering people.

Amtico is therefore making strides as the first company in the world to offer what they call “bio-attributed” PVC. Amtico’s UK range provides the consumer with the option to upgrade to this environmentally-friendly variation of PVC, which replaces the carbon emissions associated with ethylene with the dramatically reduced environmental impacts of crude tall oil or cooking oil. The process saves more than 90% of carbon emissions compared to the manufacture of standard fossil fuel derived PVC and is accredited by ISSC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) PLUS certification at every stage. Amtico’s bio-attributed PVC has existed for 12 months out in the market and is picking up sales, especially for government building projects.

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