Global flooring manufacturer Tarkett has developed a breakthrough circular solution that uses mushroom root systems to convert its decades-old Powerbond hybrid carpet into biobased raw materials for new Tarkett Sports products.

The innovation leverages Tarkett's partnership with biotech company Mycocycle, which uses mycelia (mushroom roots) to break down construction waste. Any Powerbond carpet returned through Tarkett's ReStart take-back program will now be transformed into materials for upcoming sports flooring products.

"Reclaiming it after years—sometimes decades—of use and converting it into a biobased raw material isn't just progress, it's breakthrough," said Roxane Spears, Tarkett's vice president of sustainability.

The development marks a significant advance in flooring circularity. Powerbond, first developed in 1967 as the original hybrid carpet combining carpet comfort with resilient flooring performance, has been a cornerstone product for over 50 years. The carpet's durability means some installations have been in use for decades before being reclaimed.

Tarkett's ReStart program operates eight recycling centers globally and has collected more than 124,000 tons of flooring over 14 years across 29 countries. North American collections increased 40% in 2024, recycling 2.1 million pounds of old flooring.

"This research initiative allows us to turn reclaimed materials of one of our companies into high-performance products for another one," said Eddy Schmitt, president and CEO of Tarkett Sports, highlighting how the innovation demonstrates scalable circularity within the company's portfolio.