CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF.—
Bentley Prince Street is taking a significant step toward its goal of becoming a completely sustainable enterprise by 2020 by launching a new carpet tile backing line using next-generation thermoplastic technology.
Through this revolutionary technology, Bentley Prince Street will dramatically decrease its environmental footprint by reducing energy use, decreasing raw material usage and increasing efficiencies in its carpet tile manufacturing processes. Ultimately, this new technology will also improve the company’s ability to keep reclaimed and waste carpet in the technical loop and increase its use of recycled content materials. The new line will support Bentley Prince Street’s comprehensive carpet tile offering.
In development for three years and launching this month, the $5.2 million custom-designed backing line puts sustainable commerce into action. “We’re taking a whole-systems approach to improving both our products and our processes to eliminate our potential impact on the environment,” said Anthony Minite, president of Bentley Prince Street. “Recycled products are important, but they’re only one piece in a very large puzzle to get to a fully sustainable operation. Equally important is how products are made—the type and amount of energy and materials used as well as the processes behind them. We know this investment not only makes sense from a business perspective but also supports our responsibility to be more sustainable in every aspect of our operations.”
This new recycled-content technology eliminates the need for any latex and polycarbite laminate in carpet tile backing and decreases the overall product weight, a key factor in reducing its environmental footprint. It also reduces the manufacturing process from a two-step operation to one, realizing energy, water and manufacturing efficiencies. In addition, by housing the new carpet tile line at its Los Angeles headquarters, it eliminates the need for transportation outside the state, reducing shipping expenditures and related environmental impacts and keeping business in California.
