Interface, a global leader in flooring manufacturing, is dedicated to innovation and sustainability. With manufacturing sites across the United States, Northern Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and China, Interface produces a wide range of modular flooring solutions, including carpet tiles, LVT, and rubber flooring. Serving primarily commercial interiors, Interface is a trailblazer in eco-conscious manufacturing and sustainability, a mission it has championed since 1994.
Highlights
1. 65% Material Conversion: Converted 65% of materials to non-virgin inputs, including 100% recycled nylon from fishing nets.
2. Science-Based Targets: Committed to a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 using data-driven insights.
3. Supplier Engagement: Streamlined collaboration with over two dozen suppliers using Managed Lifecycle Content (MLC)-formatted LCA data.
Challenges
As part of its commitment to reducing environmental impact, Interface faced several challenges:
1
Transitioning to Sustainable Inputs: Replacing petroleum-based materials with bio-based and recycled alternatives while maintaining product performance and cost-effectiveness.
2
Measuring Environmental Impact: Developing precise metrics to assess and minimize negative environmental effects.
3
Complex Material Sourcing: Locating and developing supply chains for more sustainable materials such as ones produced from CCU (carbon capture and utilization).
Solution
Interface utilized Sphera’s LCA For Experts (LCA FE) solution to address these challenges. This includes:
- MLC Data Subscription: Providing comprehensive and modular life-cycle datasets to evaluate environmental impact.
- Data on Demand Services: Offering customized dataset development to meet Interface’s unique sustainability needs.
By leveraging Sphera’s tools, Interface has enhanced its ability to measure, assess, and innovate in its approach to sustainable manufacturing. The integration of LCA data in a consistent format has streamlined collaboration with suppliers, allowing for more accurate sustainability assessments.
Results
The adoption of Sphera’s LCA For Experts and MLC database has delivered significant benefits:
Enabled precise measurement of environmental impacts across product life cycles, driving actionable insights for sustainable innovation.
Supported a 65% transition to non-virgin materials, including the use of 100% recycled nylon.
Empowered Interface to commit to science-based targets, including reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030, with robust, data-driven decision-making.
Looking Ahead
Interface continues to lead the way in sustainable flooring manufacturing. By combining a visionary approach to environmental stewardship with the powerful tools provided by Sphera, the company is not only reducing its ecological footprint but also inspiring others to follow suit. Interface’s journey demonstrates that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
