Environmental issues

CONSUMER WITH CLEAR ATTITUDES - AND OUR ATTITUDE TO OUR CONSUMERS

Political views and attitudes concerning social issues are not only expressed via the ballot box but also through the choices one makes as a consumer. Political consumers are making advances everywhere - as target-groups and as pressure-groups. It is becoming increasingly acceptable to display one's attitude s to, for example, the environment, human rights and animal testing via the purchases one makes.

At Fletco Tæpper we believe that future consumers will make more stringent demands that the manufacturing process ensures satisfactory conditions for the employees. This is why we give high priority to the work-environment, with the company laboratory inspecting all the raw materials used in production. We also believe that consumers will ensure that the finished product does not cause any unwanted emissions in home s or places of work. Which is why we are constantly studying new materials and have such close cooperation with leading suppliers of fibre, yarn and latex - to help us achieve the desired results.

For Fletco Tæpper, quality assurance and environmental manage­ment go hand in hand. This is why we have also initiated projects to prepare the company for Quality and CE-certification.

RECYCLING

Almost all countries are introducing regulations for the re-use of materials. We can foresee the day when the carpet dealer has to return the used carpet when he fits a new one. This strengthens yet further the requirement for documentation of the contents of carpets.

Unused materials at the carpet factories must also be reused, possibly in other contexts and other products.

When further re-use is not possible, it must be ensured that the carpet can be disposed of, e.g. via thermal recycling (incineration), without harmful emissions or residues.

Fletco Tæpper keeps an eye on this trend and, at least, will meet the requirements of authorities or certified bodies concerning carpet manufacture. Whenever possible, Fletco Tæpper will also investigate the possibility of being the first to explore new avenues.

New Possibilities

The use of production-dyed yarns is just one of a number of new developments that Fletco Taepper is working on. With production-dyed yarns each individual fibre is predyed, which means that the carpets does not have to be dyed subsequently, with the resulting problems of waste water. It also means that the carpets retains its colour for much longer. Sunlight does not cause it to fade, and even harsh cleaning agents will not discolour it.

Predyed fibres make it possible for carpets to live up to the high standard of cleanliness required by the health care sector, including the cleaning of stains and use of disinfectives. Increasd use of textiles in floor coverings in the health care sector will make it possible to reduce the high number of accidents resulting from falls.

Fletco Taepper sees it as a constant challenge to uncover untapped potential in the market and the production process. By doing so Fletco Taepper will maintain its position as a competent, innovative partner.