Tarkett will join the World Economic Forum as a Partner Company in 2016.

Established in 1971, the World Economic Forum is a non-profit organization that brings together leaders in politics, industry, science and technology and NGOs to discuss key industrial and global challenges.

Tarkett will contribute to the World Economic Forum discussions through a dual membership, engaging in both the Global Challenge initiative on the ‘Environment and Natural Resource Security’ and as an Industry Partner for ‘Infrastructure and Urban Development.’ The group will also contribute to Project MainStream1, a multi-industry and CEO-led global initiative to accelerate innovation and help scale up the circular economy. This initiative is organized by the World Economic Forum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 

For several years, Tarkett has been committed to making the transition to a circular economy powered by Cradle to Cradle principles, thus positively contributing to people’s health and well-being and the planet. Since 2011, Tarkett has been deploying a comprehensive sustainability strategy based on its ‘closed loop circular design’ model. This is driven by an extensive eco-innovation strategy which is looking at each step of the product life (design, production, use and recycling). 

Tarkett has launched eco-innovations and initiatives, such as flooring solutions that contribute to improved indoor air quality and well-being, connected living spaces for healthcare services, use of phthalate-free plasticizers, product design based on high levels of recycled content, development of recycling programs or implementation of renewable energy.

“I am convinced that business leaders as well as our teams have a major responsibility to not only deliver commercial success in a fully sustainable way, but also to lead the transformation towards the collaborative circular economy engaging all stakeholders,” said Michel Giannuzzi, CEO of Tarkett. “We believe, as the Forum does, that bringing so many leaders from different horizons together will help us find new solutions contributing to human development, resources preservation and sustainable growth.”

According to the company, Tarkett’s new membership will build on the work and contribution of Desso, now part of the Tarkett Group. Desso has been a member of the World Economic Forum for the past three years. During this time, Desso shared its own lessons and knowledge drawn from its Cradle to Cradle and circular economy transformation, and has actively contributed to the Project Mainstream1 since 2014.

For more information, visit tarkett.com.