Forbo Flooring Systems publishes its 2024 sustainability report. The report shows how sustainability is being increasingly integrated into its entire business operations - from design and production to recycling and reuse. With climate-positive flooring, a growing take-back programme and significant carbon reductions, Forbo is taking important steps towards a circular and future-proof flooring industry.
Circular product development and sustainable materials
By 2024, an average Forbo product consisted of 40 per cent recycled materials. In addition, 50 per cent of the materials used were certified as bio-based, recycled or derived from minerals that are widely available, such as lime. Forbo is actively working to make its offering more sustainable. One example is the Marmoleum Cocoa collection, which reuses cocoa shells - a residual material from the food industry. The glue-free Fast Flooring range was also further expanded. These products are easier to install, remove and reuse.
Climate positive impact and CO₂ reduction
Forbo has made significant strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2004, greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1 and 2) have been reduced by 81 per cent, underlining the company's focus on sustainability. In addition, 27 per cent of all floors sold are now climate-positive (from cradle-to-gate). Progress is also being made on the energy front, with 205 MWh of solar energy generated on its own sites by 2024. This is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 129 European households.
These steps bring Forbo closer to the goals it has committed to. Forbo aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest. This means fully offsetting the emissions the company generates, bringing net emissions to zero. The ambition is to make the entire value chain (scope 1, 2 and 3) fully carbon-neutral by then.
Responsibility until the end of the life cycle
Sustainability goes beyond the production process. It is also important to take responsibility at the end of the life cycle of floors. Through the "Back to the Floor" take-back programme, no less than 637 tonnes of flooring waste was collected from 14 countries in 2024. Of this waste, 88 per cent was reused or recycled, of which 35 per cent was directly incorporated into new flooring products. Packaging and installation waste were also actively taken back and reprocessed.
People and organisation
Forbo focuses not only on environmental impact, but also on people and organisation. In 2024, over 1 million euros was invested in education and training. In addition, the LTIFR (Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate) decreased compared to the previous year and the number of employees participating in health and safety programmes increased.
'We aim to make our entire value chain carbon-neutral in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and design products that are inherently circular, with responsible use of raw materials,' said Jean-Michel Wins, Executive Vice President of Forbo Flooring Systems.
More information:
Forbo Flooring Systems
www.forbo.com
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