🌍 Gerflor Earns FRET21 Label: Advancing Decarbonization Efforts 🌍

Gerflor has achieved the prestigious FRET21 label, further solidifying its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This accomplishment comes after years of dedication.

In 2021, Gerflor joined the FRET21 initiative with an ambitious goal: to cut carbon emissions associated with product transport by 5% over three years, equivalent to 1,585 tons of CO2.

The company surpassed this target in just two years by implementing impactful measures such as improving product stack ability, consolidating deliveries, utilizing biofuels, and transitioning to multimodal transport methods.

In 2024, Gerflor took its commitment to the next level by earning the FRET21 label, joining the elite group of 31 companies with this recognition. The label is both a testament to the team's efforts and a motivator for continued progress.

Pierre-François BLOSSIER , Group Distribution Manager and FRET21 project leader at Gerflor, highlighted the journey:

“In 2021, we started nearly from scratch on decarbonizing our transport. By joining the FRET21 program, we gained access to support and tools that allowed us to define our scope, collect data, and evaluate potential actions. After three years and the growing involvement of our team, we’ve implemented more than 30 tangible actions, exceeding our initial goal of a 5% CO2 reduction. Receiving the FRET21 label in October 2024 crowns this achievement and confirms our commitment to increasingly sustainable transport solutions.”

Key Achievements of the FRET21 Initiative

Gerflor's efforts under the FRET21 program have yielded several significant outcomes:

• Reduced Carbon Footprint: Over 1,585 tons of CO2 saved in just two years.
• Comprehensive Action Planning: Practices audited and opportunities for improvement identified for short-, medium-, and long-term impact.
• Innovative Solutions: Successful experiments like multimodal transport, such as shipping between Germany and Lyon by train instead of trucks.
• Enhanced Logistics: With 80% of products sold in France manufactured locally, Gerflor has improved logistical responsiveness while cutting emissions.

This achievement aligns seamlessly with Gerflor's corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and innovation. The FRET21 label underscores the company's structured approach to decarbonization and its ongoing dedication to reducing its environmental impact.

Thank you to all our employees and partners for your invaluable contributions to this milestone. Together, we are making a difference.

Gerflor's Seconde Life Program: Pioneering Sustainable Flooring Solutions

In response to the pressing climate emergency and the scarcity of resources, Gerflor has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth through innovative initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental footprint. The Seconde Life program stands at the forefront of these efforts, embodying Gerflor's dedication to recycling and waste reduction.

A Legacy of Recycling

For over 50 years, Gerflor has been a leader in the recycling of vinyl flooring. The company's research and development teams work tirelessly to increase the amount of recycled material in their products, giving new life to old flooring. Today, Gerflor holds a dominant position in the French vinyl flooring recycling market, with an estimated 70% market share. Autres pays, AGPR?

The company also recycles linoleum flooring through a dedicated process at its DLW plant in Germany, where production scraps and customer returns are processed and reintegrated into new products.

Certified and Sustainable Practices

The Seconde Vie program is certified by Eucertplast, ensuring traceability and transparency in the recycling process. This certification supports compliance with various sustainability standards such as HQE, LEED, and BREEAM, making it a valuable addition to any company's CSR report

The program guarantees optimal recycling, with recycled vinyl being reintegrated into new products at nearly 100% efficiency, provided it is properly sorted.

Economic and Customizable Solutions

Gerflor offers free collection of clean scraps in 10 countries worldwide, reducing landfill costs by an average of €250 per ton.

The program is tailored to the needs of each business, with customized contracts and appropriate containers for different volumes of waste. Gerflor collects all vinyl products from its own brands as well as other brands, provided they comply with REACH regulations

The program guarantees optimal recycling, with recycled vinyl being reintegrated into new products at nearly 100% efficiency, provided it is properly sorted.

💡 Just in France, in 2024, our collection of clean vinyl scraps saved the equivalent CO2 of 1107 round trips between Paris and New York (Source ADEME).

Gerflor and Saint Maclou: A Sustainable Partnership for an Eco-Responsible Future, thanks to floor to floor

This collaboration marks a significant step in our shared commitment to sustainability and carbon footprint reduction.

@Saint Maclou, a renowned company specializing in distribution and installation, has been actively seeking ways to reduce the carbon impact of their products. With 450 salaried installers and numerous partners, they strive to recover and recycle waste from their projects and the products they remove from their clients' premises.

Recently, Gerflor-2nde Life collected 13.75 tonnes of vinyl roll scraps with foam backing and LVT/SPC from Saint Maclou.

This initiative aligns perfectly with Saint Maclou's CSR commitments. Magali PLATEAU from Saint Maclou highlighted, "We particularly appreciate that Gerflor does not limit itself to collecting scraps of its own products but also accepts vinyl flooring from all brands. Our interest grew even more when Gerflor confirmed that all collected scraps would be reintegrated into a production cycle. Circularity is an integral part of Saint Maclou's CSR strategy, and the 2nde Vie program allows us to contribute to this goal in a very concrete way."

Saint Maclou has confirmed their continued engagement with our services. This month, they are extending their commitment with 5 pallets of textile-backed roll scraps. "Gerflor 2nde Vie provided us with containers tailored to our needs, which we filled. Now, we just need to call them to come and collect them. It's simple and efficient," said Magali Plateau.

We are proud of this partnership with Saint Maclou and our joint contribution to a more sustainable future.