(GlobeNewswire) - Tarkett, a global leader in innovative and sustainable solutions for flooring and sports surfaces, announced that the Group has been shortlisted as one of the finalists for the Award for the Circular Economy Multinational. This award is part of the 2016 Circulars Awards¹ program, organized by the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders in collaboration with Accenture, recognizing individuals and organizations from commerce and civil society that have made a notable contribution to driving circular economy principles.

Tarkett is committed to making the transition to the circular economy, inspired by Cradle to Cradle^® principles. Since 2011, Tarkett, guided by this vision, has been deploying a comprehensive circular economy strategy based on its 'closed-loop circular design' model. This is driven by an extensive eco-innovation strategy, which positively contributes to people's health and well-being and the planet at every step of the product's life (design, production, use and recycling).

"Being shortlisted as one of the finalists gives recognition to all Tarkett employees and our partners who have put their collective energy and creativity into the pursuit of a purposeful circular economy business model that benefits to people, planet and profits," says Michel Giannuzzi, CEO of Tarkett. "And we can now see it driving innovation and developing our competitive edge, a truly encouraging sign that doing the right thing is also good for business."

Tarkett's circular vision has been at the forefront of setting new industry standards based on healthy materials supporting a positive closed-loop system, guided by the Cradle to Cradle^® principles. In this regard, Tarkett has been a pioneer in developing a healthy alternative to the phthalate plasticizers in its vinyl flooring, supporting the responsible use of PVC. Leading the industry, it now uses phthalate-free plasticizers in all of its American and European vinyl production sites and has set a target to roll this new technology out to all of its vinyl production sites worldwide by 2020.

Moreover, Tarkett has developed a wide range of flooring solutions that contribute to improved indoor air quality - including low VOC² emissions, anti-allergens and technology that combats fine dust in the air - while designing its products with high levels of recycled content, implementing recycling programs, closed-loop water circuits and renewable energy initiatives.

Tarkett has been chosen as finalist in this category among tier one multinational companies, such as Caterpillar, Philips, HP, Unilever and Veolia. The final winners of the Circulars will be announced at a ceremony at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2016.

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). www.tarkett.com     

1. https://thecirculars.org/finalists

2. VOC: Volatile Organic Compound

Tarkett

Tarkett

Tarkett, a global leader in innovative and sustainable solutions for flooring and sports surfaces,

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