Tarkett Joins World Economic Forum as a Partner Company

Will first contribute to the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland in January 2016

Paris (PRWEB) October 20, 2015

Tarkett, a global leader in innovative and sustainable solutions for flooring and sports surfaces, has announced that it will join the World Economic Forum as a Partner Company in 2016, first contributing to the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland to be held in January 2016.

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 the 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 been at the forefront of shaping transformation within the flooring industry. This has resulted in breakthrough 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.

“We are delighted to join the World Economic Forum ,” says Michel Giannuzzi, CEO of Tarkett. “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. 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.”

Tarkett’s new membership will build on the work and contribution of Desso, a leading carpet company, 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 Mainstream since 2014.

Established in 1971, the World Economic Forum is a unique, non-profit organisation which brings together the world leaders in politics, industry, science and technology and NGOs to discuss the key industrial and global challenges. It believes that progress is made by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

About Tarkett
Tarkett is a global leader in innovative and sustainable solutions for flooring and sports surfaces. Offering a wide range of products including vinyl, linoleum, carpet, rubber, wood & laminate, synthetic turf and athletic tracks, the Group serves customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. With 12,000 employees and 34 industrial sites, Tarkett sells 1.3 million square meters of flooring every day, for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields. Committed to sustainable development, the Group has implemented an eco-innovation strategy and promotes circular economy. Tarkett’s net sales of 2.4 billion euros in 2014 are balanced between Europe, North America and the region comprising CIS countries, APAC & LATAM. Tarkett is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A, ticker TKTT, ISIN: FR0004188670). http://www.tarkett.com

Investor Relations Contact
Tarkett - Jacques Bénétreau - jacques(dot)benetreau(at)tarkett(dot)com
Tarkett - Alexandra Baubigeat Boucheron - alexandra(dot)baubigeatboucheron(at)tarkett(dot)com

Tarkett Media Contact
Tarkett Group - Véronique Bouchard Bienaymé - communication(at)tarkett(dot)com
Brunswick - tarkett(at)brunswickgroup(dot)com - Tel. : +33 (0) 1 53 96 83 83

1 http://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/news/project-mainstream-launches-three-new-programmes

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/10/prweb13032772.htm