With concern over the climate crisis growing, it’s more important than ever to adopt circular strategies that reduce environmental impact and support our planet. Milliken’s N/XT Life™ Circularity programme works with several partners across Europe to facilitate the take back and reuse of carpet tiles. This case study explores how re-use specialists Orak recover, re-condition and re-install Milliken carpet tiles, giving them a second life.
© Atypix photography
Paris-based Orak have become a leading European provider of fully traceable, re-use carpet and maintenance services. Aligned with France’s progressive environmental regulations, aimed at decarbonising the building sector, Orak’s work makes an important contribution to the circular economy and the construction industry’s efforts to become more sustainable.
When Swiss Life Asset Management (SLAM) were looking to dispose of 1800m2 of Major Frequency’s Distortion design, Orak’s team of carpet recovery specialists were deployed to manage the re-use project. The Distortion planks (originally installed by flooring contractor Actisol in 2022) were part of a 7000m2 installation at SLAM’s building on Boulevard Poissonnière in central Paris.
Major Frequency is manufactured using Universal Fibres 90% recycled Thrive® matter yarn. The solution dyed nylon not only lowers the planks carbon footprint thanks to its high recycled content but also offers built-in stain resistance. As with all Milliken carpets, this collection also incorporates WellBAC® 90% recycled open cell cushion backing. Open cell cushion backing provides Milliken’s carpet with excellent durability, absorbing the impact of footfall. Both these features enable reuse by extending the products lifespan, perfect for a second life.
The planks featured Milliken’s TractionBack® glue-free installation system. TractionBack® is a high-friction coating applied to the underside of each plank that eliminates the need for traditional adhesive, planks can be uplifted quickly without causing any damage to the module or sub-floor. TractionBack® is engineered with disassembly in mind, making it the ideal add-on when future reuse is a priority.
SLAM’s office design partner Factory worked with Orak to organise and optimise the recovery process so that as much carpet as possible could be made available for installation into another building location. Around 80% of the recovered product was of the required quality, meaning approximately 1,425m2 carpet was available for re-sale and re-installation.
After planks are uplifted, they’re sorted for full and incomplete tiles then carefully packaged into Orak’s transfer crates. Every crate is digitally logged for tracking and stock control before being transported to the processing facility on the outskirts of Paris.
© Atypix photography
At Orak’s processing site the carpet planks are rigorously checked further for any damage and then deep cleaned in Orak’s industrial washing tunnel. The final stage requires all planks to be labelled with a QR code that ensures full traceability for SLAM’s sustainability reporting and reimbursement.
© Atypix photography
375m2 of product was not suitable for reuse and was sent for waste-to-energy processing with full traceability certification. This was handled by eco-organisation Valdelia, as part of the Optimum scheme, where the carpet was converted into pellets to be used by the cement industry.
Groupama Immobilier were managing the sale of a grand private mansion re-development on Rue François 1er, in the heart Paris’s prestigious 8th arrondissement. The exceptional building, now a 2,200m2 office and retail complex, was to house the new flagship location for luxury fashion house Giorgio Armani.
Keen to drive down the carbon footprint of its property portfolio, Groupama are strong advocates for re-use materials and made this a requirement in this building’s development. Orak presented a variety of re-use carpet for the office space section of the project. Having reviewed several different carpet designs, 1000m2 of Milliken’s Major Frequency carpet planks were selected.
The design style, quality and quantity available made them the perfect choice for this landmark building. In the light soft neural tones of the colour Phase, the design offers a sophisticated and subtlety textured backdrop for the new office space.
The carpet’s built-in stain resistance and WellBAC® Comfort cushion backing delivers additional wear and acoustic properties needed for this busy workplace. The backing also provides additional underfoot comfort making the office feel more welcoming for Armani's employees.
For their second-life installation, Orak supplied the planks with a new 2-year warranty. As a re-use carpet, the product adds no additional carbon burden, estimated to have saved 11,400 Kg of CO2 in the building’s refurbishment. Further savings were made on installation time and cost since TractionBack® allows for quicker easier installation while eliminating the need for traditional adhesives. Glue-free installation prevents VOCs being introduced indoors, maintaining Indoor Air Quality, providing a healthier option for installers and the building’s occupants.
The remaining 425m2 of useable carpet planks, recovered from the SLAM building were installed in the IBIS Styles Hotel in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, as a floor covering for their corridor areas.
Thanks to Orak’s rigorous tracking process and their traceability promise, Swiss Life Asset Management were provided with a Certificate of Carpet TakeBack. This provided the company with full environmental accountability for the carpet that had been recovered from their building and the carbon savings made.