Opening up New Markets and Achieving Corporate Objectives with LCA
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- Europe
Product
- TacTiles®
- Microtuft™
- GaBi life cycle assessment (LCA) software
Tech Stack
- Life Cycle Assessment Software
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Cost Savings
- Environmental Impact Reduction
- Productivity Improvements
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
About The Customer
Interface is a company that has developed a unique vision and consistently put it into practice. The company's founder, Ray Anderson, set out his vision of a better world as follows: “There has to be a better way.” Since 1994, this has been the backdrop against which Interface – the global market leader in developing and manufacturing modular textile floor coverings – has committed itself to sustainable action through its Mission Zero®. Interface has been using GaBi software since 2001. With the aid of life cycle assessments, Interface takes the entire life cycle of a carpet tile into consideration, from raw material extraction, to production and transportation, right through to use by the customer, care, and disposal.
The Challenge
Interface, a global market leader in developing and manufacturing modular textile floor coverings, has been committed to sustainable action through its Mission Zero®. The company has been using GaBi software since 2001 to conduct life cycle assessments (LCAs) for its products. LCAs take into account the entire life cycle of a carpet tile, from raw material extraction, production, and transportation, to use by the customer, care, and disposal. The challenge was to identify the environmental impacts at each of these stages and pinpoint areas with the greatest potential for improvement in terms of transparency, innovation, product portfolio, cost savings, and risk management.
The Solution
Interface used GaBi life cycle assessment (LCA) software to develop new products and minimize risks. The software enabled Interface to develop TacTiles®, an innovative, sustainable product that opened up a new market. The development of another product, Microtuft™, was largely based on analyses from the LCA. The software also helped Interface achieve considerable gains in transparency and credibility by voluntarily preparing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for more than 90% of its products. Furthermore, reusing reprocessed nylon for the carpet fibers not only optimized Interface’s carbon footprint but also yielded relevant cost savings.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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