Bitumen and PVC backed tiles have been produced for over half a century, the petrol based chemicals used in this type of backing have long been proved as damaging to the environment, harmful volatile organic emissions are released by these chemicals during manufacture and time spent in land fill. Research shows it may take as long as 250 thousand years for a tile such as this to bio-degrade in a land fill situation, during which time it will continue to emit gas into the atmosphere.

This type of tile proved not only extremely harmful to the environment but difficult to handle, awkward to cut and dirty to install into new clean offices, there should be no place for products like this in this day and age. It became clear the industry needed a light, clean, environmentally and installation friendly replacment.

Having researched the problems we now began to search for the answers. The new backing had to be light, clean and friendly, it also had to be hard warring, fit for purpose and able to compete with the demanding flooring budgets. With this criteria in mind, over a three year period the RenewGel® backing was formulated. Using a combination of natural materials, latex and natural rubber a successful formula was eventually developed.

This new foam gel backing passed all industry tests associated with heavy contract tile backings, it could be manufactured to meet demanding flooring budgets and its environmental credentials meant it would match and better the most stringent government procurement requirements.

The new backing was name RenewGel® it was lighter, cleaner, easier to cut and install, it contained no petrol based chemicals, emitted hardly traceable VOC’s and qualified as a heavy contract flooring product carrying a ten year guarantee, we’d done it, we’d matched the criteria and produced a carpet tile architects and designers around the world could specify with sound knowledge that this was a viable, sustainable and responsible flooring choice.

The success of the RenewGel® backing was highlighted when it became the only product of its type in the world to be awarded the globally recognised ISO 14024 eco-label.

The tile has now been successfully installed in prestigious buildings like The Welsh Assembly and The Geneses Building along with selection for new office builds and refurbishments for our own Department of Environment.