Life cycle assessment study on resilient floor coverings

Fourteen European producers of resilient floor coverings examined thirty-two objects of their products in a Life Cycle Assessment Study. The product groups were PVC, cushioned PVC, polyolefin, rubber and linoleum, with one reference example from textile and parquet. Important results include the following: There is no material specific ranking for 'best' or 'worst' environmental performance. Differences within the material groups - depending on the individual formula - are larger than between the groups. The introduction of material-specific recycling for used floorings as well as the use of recycled material in the flooring production could reduce environmental loads significantly. The premature change of a flooring by the user may induce a major influence on the environmental performance of a flooring.