ntgrate takes sustainability to next level

2025 marks a special milestone in ntgrate's sustainability ambitions. We spoke with Pascal Vantomme, CEO of ntgrate, about their sustainability efforts and the launch of Eco Core: a revolutionary collection of woven vinyl flooring with a minimal carbon footprint. With this groundbreaking innovation, ntgrate is setting a new industry standard on the road to a sustainable, climate-neutral future.

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE DNA

At ntgrate, design and sustainability go hand in hand. From a BREEAM-certified building in Kortrijk, the manufacturer of woven vinyl flooring has been working towards a sustainable future for years. CEO Pascal Vantomme: “Sustainability is not a trend for us, but a core value. It is woven into our dna. We feel the responsibility to contribute to a better planet, not only for now but also for generations to come.”

THE ROAD TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

In recent years, ntgrate has made great strides. Pascal: “In 2020, we replaced our standard backing of then pure PVC with a 19 dB acoustic underlay with 50% recycled content. This was followed in 2022 by the introduction of our 22 dB acoustic backing with as much as 90% recycled content. In 2023, we introduced our reuse program REntgrate: a circular solution where our floors are installed without glue and can be reused. In 2024, our standard 19 dB backing even went to 93% recycled content and we switched largely to ecological raw materials for our entire product.”

CO2 REDUCTION AS A PRIORITY

In 2025, ntgrate takes a revolutionary step with the launch of Eco Core, a groundbreaking innovation that contributes to a climate-neutral future. The spearhead in the development of this green collection was decarbonization. Pascal: “Reducing our CO2 footprint is becoming increasingly important. The European Green Deal aims for 55% less CO2 emissions in 2030 (compared to 1990) and complete climate neutrality in 2050. We don't want to wait for that. That is why we are already coming up with a collection that more than meets the European climate targets.” He himself is also convinced that the biggest sustainability gains are in CO2 reduction. “Of course the use of recycled materials is already a great step, we too have started there. But to make a real difference, you have to look further. Or actually back, to a step before that. Reduce and reuse come before recycle.”

THE HONEST STORY

He is bothered by the misleading sustainability claims and half-truths that manufacturers use to dress up their sustainability performance. “Many companies state percentages that only apply to part of the product, but pretend that they apply to the entire product. Or they present recycling as the solution. But recycling also costs energy. If this is not done in a sustainable way and a large amount of CO2 is emitted in return, not much remains of such a sustainability claim. At ntgrate, we want to stay away from greenwashing and tell the honest story. In a transparant way and with the facts on the table.”

ECO CORE: 97% CARBON FREE

Back to Eco Core. After years of experimentation, ongoing development and extensive testing, ntgrate has succeeded in launching a collection with unparalleled sustainability performance. Eco Core consists of 97% recycled, mineral and bio-based materials. Only 3% still consists of virgin fossil content. Pascal: “The only way to bring down the carbon footprint of our product is to drastically reduce the share of virgin fossil materials. But we wanted more. We wanted to set a new standard by developing a floor made almost entirely of non-virgin fossil materials. At the same time, we wanted to maintain the high standards of our floors with regard to quality, acoustics, fire safety, ease of maintenance and design, among other things. We are proud to now introduce a collection that meets all these requirements and ambitions. A unique in the field of woven vinyl with which we want to lead the way in the transition to a post-fossil, climate-neutral future.”

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