And what a year it was. Not exactly how we had it in mind, but we are proud that despite all the headwinds, we made clear steps toward our goal. And 2023 will accelerate this again with the arrival of our new Circular Product Manager, numerous new recyclable products and a next-level sustainable supplier.
Meet Condor Group; one of the top 3 largest carpet manufacturers
With 100 years of experience within the group and an annual production of 140 million m2, Condor Group operates as one of Europe’s leading carpet manufacturers. With seven specialized subsidiaries divided into the various in- and outdoor textile industries, Condor Group is covering the world by delivering in more than 100 countries. That is why taking responsibility for conserving the planet has always been top-of-mind. Condor Group has been working on clean energy, reusing waste, and recyclable products for quite some time now, but last year it was time for the next step.
On a Roll to Zero Emission
Condor Group is taking big steps in realizing its ambitious sustainability goals by implementing the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. With the main focus on clean energy, sustainable innovation and circular development, Condor Group is right on track in making the organization more sustainable and becoming closer to zero-emission production. Having set a major step with more than 13.000 solar panels on-site, Condor Group also collaborates in the biggest solar park in the Netherlands. This solar park consists of more than 328.000 solar panels on an area of 85.5 hectares, which causes our renewable energy to increase to 50% this year. This puts Condor Group in sight of the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2025.
‘We can make a difference and are therefore determined to become a sustainable supplier by reducing our emissions and creating circular products.’
A closer step towards circularity with ALLOA
Sustainable production is a huge step, but in the end, the products have to be more sustainable as well. That is why Condor Group commissioned its R&D department to develop circular products years ago. With the arrival of our ALLOA (All Over Again) brand, this dream has become reality. In the coming years, ALLOA will introduce an extensive range of products across all segments that are made from recycled materials and can be recycled again and again. This brings the organization closer to a closed-loop. The arrival of our new Circular Product Manager Mike de Lange reinforces this. With his experience in recycling and chemistry, as well as a background in the carpet industry, he is a perfect match for this challenge.
Fully recyclable ALLOA Grass in production
Artificial grass expert Condor Grass has already taken the first steps towards circularity. Last year it introduced the ALLOA Pura 100, a fully recyclable artificial grass. And the next innovation is already in the pipeline; the ALLOA Pura 200 which is mainly made from recycled Pura 100.
Closing the loop with circular car mats
Condor Cartex, the automotive supplier of Condor Group, saw the same opportunity. They have been working extremely hard in developing fully recyclable car mats as a first step to reusing car mats waste. Today, Condor Cartex is already able to use up to 50% recycled content in its ALLOA car mats and a 100% recycled product is under development. That product will fully close the loop, which is a major step towards circular development in the automotive industry.
On the way to 100% circular carpets
The next step? To use all this knowledge and developments towards circularity for the benefit of residential carpets. For almost ten years, Condor Group has made use of recycled yarns like for instance Econyl. Next year we will introduce a new partnership with a sustainable supplier that actively helps to clean the coastlines in collaboration with local fishermen. Fair wages for gathering ocean waste with cleaner coastlines and a reduction of CO2 in our products as a result. Together we are working on carpets produced without unused waste, that can be reused and recycled again and again. Unique and of course the ultimate goal for Condor Group.
‘ALLOA has led to incredible steps towards a sustainable future and brings us closer to achieving our vision; creating sustainable textile (flooring)solutions for everyone.’
Circular products from sustainable production facilities
Efficient production is where Condor Group makes the difference. The link to sustainability is therefore quickly made. Facilities with the highest sustainability label (BREEAM Outstanding), mostly without gas, with lots of renewable energy and efficient logistics; Condor Group sets new standards. Also, the brand-new facility of member VEBE – which should be in operation in 2023 – underlines this once again. With this ultra-modern production facility, VEBE strives to receive the highest sustainability label; the BREEAM Outstanding.
Continuing in covering the world, circular
In short; Condor Group is right on track in becoming even more sustainable. Striving to achieve ‘Zero Emission’ with tens of thousands of solar panels, its eco-brand ALLOA and continuous optimization of their facilities. Condor Group speeds to a circular future to make the world better and healthier for current and future generations. That is how Condor Group will keep ‘Covering the world’, but in a sustainable and more circular way.
https://www.condor-group.eu/en/group
For more information kim.koning@condor-group.eu
