Forbo's Tessera Evolve+ comprises a lower carbon carpet tile collection. What does that mean to you?

As captured in our recent Carbon-12 campaign, embodied carbon is a major driving force within the architecture and interior design sectors.

And that, in turn, means it's the same for manufacturers.

With Forbo one of our six contributors to Carbon-12 (you can see the installation in both our Manchester & Glasgow Studios), we were keen to explore in more depth how the manufacturer is tackling the topic through its wider product portfolio.

Here, Donna Hannaway, head of marketing UK and Ireland at Forbo Flooring Systems takes us through its Evolve+ series of carpet tiles, which merge nature-inspired aesthetics with conscious environmental responsibility.

Firstly, please can you introduce us to the new Evolve+?

"Absolutely! Our Evolve+ series offers the same high-quality Tessera carpet tiles that the industry knows and loves…but with enhanced sustainability. All ranges contain a minimum of 75% recycled content (a figure we’re incredibly proud of) and less than 2kg CO2 e/m2 of embodied carbon (A1-A3), all achieved without offsetting.

"There are currently four carpet tile ranges within the series, but further updates are currently under development – so, we encourage everyone to watch this space!

"Some are entirely new ranges (Tessera Topology and Twine), while others are updates to collections that should be familiar to designers, namely Create Space 1 and Tessera Chroma. Take Chroma as an example, originally launched in 2019 to meet new workspace design demands.

"Now, through the hard work of our design and development teams, it offers the highest percentage of recycled content of any Tessera carpet tile and an >80% reduction in embodied carbon – a huge carbon saving!"

How does it deliver lower embodied carbon?

"At Forbo, we’ve already been working hard to reduce the carbon across our portfolio of carpet tiles, implementing enhanced production processes, new machinery and 100% renewable energy use – all with the aim of manufacturing more sustainably and using a higher volume of recycled content within our products. None of this has changed.

"The Evolve+ series simply takes this one step further, with careful material sourcing and adapting the yarn systems used in its construction."

"All carpet tile ranges under the Evolve+ umbrella contain specialist, innovative yarns that are made from post-industrial recycled materials, such as old fishing nets or other synthetic materials.

"Contributing to a more circular economy, these sourcing and production techniques are helping to divert waste away from landfill sites, providing them with another lease of life."

Why did Forbo choose to launch Evolve+?

"The tagline is ‘product evolution for enhanced sustainability’ – that tells you everything!

"Sustainability is nothing new to Forbo. Instead, we’re looking at how we can do more – and so Evolve+ was born. We want to be a trusted partner who provides full transparency when it comes to circular flooring solutions and renewable raw materials.

"For us, it’s all about supporting interior designers and architects, providing them with the flooring solutions they need to deliver a greener built environment and meet their client briefs. We’re already proud of the sustainable credentials within our wider carpet tile collection; the Evolve+ series just pushes these even further.

"Circularity is one of our three core pillars, creating products that keep the end in mind. Increasing the volume of recycled content is a priority area for us (as demonstrated through Evolve+) and something we’re very proud of, along with innovative material sourcing and various recycling and take-back schemes, such as our Back to the Floor initiative and partnership with The Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL)."

What designs and colourways are available?

"With over 70 colourways across the four Evolve+ ranges, there is a plethora of choice. Recognising that biophilic design is an enduring trend that is clearly here to stay, our emphasis has been on providing nature-inspired aesthetics that are reflective of natural textures and surfaces – such as bark, leaves or stone – and available in a range of warm, organic colourways, including greens, greys and browns.

"All colours are designed to coordinate with and complement other Forbo flooring collections, including Allura, Eternal, Surestep and our Climate Positive (carbon negative) Marmoleum, allowing designers to easily create integrated and harmonious flooring schemes throughout an interior."

What does it mean for designers?

"It’s really all about taking sustainability to the next level, that’s what we want the main takeaway to be. Our standard Tessera carpet tiles already contain a minimum of 60% recycled content and are produced using 100% renewable energy (electricity and biogas).

"Evolve+ is about offering enhanced environmental credentials, ideal for projects where sustainability is critical. Helping architects and designers to meet standards like LEED and BREEAM, all product data is readily available on our website through range-specific, transparent Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

"Of course, as important as sustainability is to architects, achieving this cannot mean a compromise on design. That’s why we’ve worked incredibly hard to ensure the colourways on offer work harmoniously together and provide designers with an immense variety of choice to suit their individual projects.

"Evolve+ is about making it easier than ever to balance form, function and a commitment to a greener future."

Learn more about the Evolve+ collection here. And by visiting Material Source Studio Manchester & Glasgow, where Forbo is a Partner. You can discover more about Carbon-12 - our online/offline series and exhibition here.