Entering the final day of Domotex Middle East 2011, organizers say that sustainability and green flooring products have emerged as a key trend at this year’s show. The sixth edition of the region’s annual showpiece event, dedicated to the floor covering industry, is being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Angela Schaschen, managing director of Deutsche Messe Dubai Branch, the organizer of DOMOTEX Middle East said, “We are increasingly seeing floor covering businesses respond to the market’s interest in environmentally friendly products and sustainable practices. Each year at Domotex Middle East we see more and more green innovations.”

This year’s Platinum Sponsor, Al Abdullatif from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, produces green residential carpets made from 50% recycled plastic drinking bottles. The plastic is recycled and transformed into fiber that is then used in manufacturing the carpets. Abdullatif Al-Abdullatif, ceo of Al Abdullatif said, “This product has the exact same look and feel as a carpet made from entirely new materials. The colors, smoothness of the carpet and designs are just the same.” Using recycled plastic helps to decrease Al Abdullatif’s carbon footprint and makes use of some of the hundreds of plastic bottles which are thrown away every day.

Exhibitor Balta from Belgium believes that the future of flooring lies in creating materials that can be fully recycled. Geert Vanden Bossche, marketing director of Balta Group said, “Balta currently has a team dedicated to developing carpets and carpet tile products which will be 100% recyclable. We also place a strong emphasis on energy saving in our factories; we now have over 50,000 solar panels in three different factories to help generate clean energy.” One of the world leaders in contract floor coverings, Balta provides products across the floor covering spectrum from woven area rugs to wall-to-wall carpets, needlefelt and fungrass to carpet tiles.

Wickham Hardwood Flooring, Platinum Sponsor of the Creative Flooring area at Domotex Middle East, ensures all wood purchased for its wooden flooring products comes from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified suppliers. Wickham also has a zero waste policy with all wood fibers that are produced in the manufacturing of its wooden flooring products being collected and reused for making wood pellets. Jean-Pierre Nittolo, president of Wickham Hardwood Flooring said, “We have made some tweaks to our existing machines, adding conveyors and fans, which ensure we capture all of the excess wood fibres.”

The Creative Flooring area of the show also features a live demonstration session on "Sustainable Office Flooring Solutions" hosted by Haima Carpet Tiles and Estillon.

All told, 148 exhibitors from more than 30 countries are showcasing a wide range of floor covering products, from hand-made and machine-made rugs and carpets to parquet and other wood flooring, and many more.

DOMOTEX Middle East is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai, Chairman of Emirates Airlines and Group and Vice Chairman of Dubai International Convention and Exhibition. For more information, visit www.domotex-middle-east.com.