Bentley Mills has become one of the first commercial carpet manufacturers to integrate carbon capture technology into its production process, partnering with Celanese Corporation to use CO₂-derived materials in carpet tile manufacturing.

The collaboration centers on Celanese's VAE ECO-CC emulsion, a carpet binder produced using captured carbon dioxide as a raw material instead of traditional fossil-based sources. Bentley began incorporating this technology into its manufacturing process in May 2025, marking a significant milestone in sustainable flooring production.

The environmental impact is substantial: Bentley estimates it will utilize approximately 750,000 pounds of captured CO₂ annually through this switch, equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of nearly 6,000 trees. The technology not only reduces carbon footprint but also helps Bentley increase recycled content in its products.

"ECO-CC represents a meaningful step forward in sustainable materials innovation," said Kevin Norfleet, global sustainability director at Celanese. The company produces the emulsion at its Clear Lake, Texas facility using carbon capture and utilization technology.

Working with NSF certifiers, both companies secured validation for ECO-CC as qualifying pre-consumer recycled content, making Bentley among the first flooring manufacturers to bring a certified carbon capture-based input to market.

Jay Brown, president and COO of Bentley Mills, emphasized that the innovation supports the company's dual mission of delivering high-performance flooring solutions while advancing environmental stewardship.

The partnership demonstrates how industrial carbon capture and utilization can scale from experimental technology to real-world commercial applications, potentially setting a precedent for broader adoption across the manufacturing sector.