First product made from bio-based yarn, moving company closer to zero virgin raw materials
Global carpet tile manufacturer Interface is striding ahead in its Mission Zero quest – to eliminate its impact on the environment by 2020 – with the unveiling of its first ever truly commercial carpet tile made from plant (or bio) based nylon. Fotosfera consists of yarn that is made from castor plant oil produced in rural communities.
Castor oil, the main ingredient of Fotosfera, is produced from plants that are fast growing, therefore readily renewable, resilient and exceptionally low-maintenance. 70% of the world’s castor oil plants are grown in India, in hot, arid conditions where they require water as little as once in up to 25 days. Crucially, as castor oil plants grow in land unsuitable for other uses such as for food production, the plants are an important source of additional income for rural farmers, often fetching revenue over ten times what it costs to start the crop.
Fotosfera comes in two designs – Structured and Micro – which are both available in eight co-ordinating colourways. As well as including 63% bio-based content, the designs benefit from some of Interface’s other unique sustainability service. The product comes with the Cool Carpet carbon neutral service and the glue-less installation method TacTiles as standard, further reducing the product’s impact on the environment.
Fotosfera is a compelling proof of Interface pushing the boundaries of what is possible – continually innovating in order to meet our customers’ demands for ever more sustainable products.
