Carpet waste turned into architectural signage

Carpet waste is being repurposed into architectural signage, thanks to the Danish Modulex Group. The company has launched ReBond, a new material that has been developed in partnership with Danish carpet manufacturer Dansk Wilton.

The manufacturing process of this material involves recovering scraps of carpet waste and shredding them to create fine fibres. These fibres are then combined with melting binding fibres to produce panels to be used as signage. The sides of the panels retain a hint of the former carpet's colour, creating a link to the former carpet's life. The launch of ReBond follows a successful pilot project to develop the new material.

According to Ketil M Staalesen, the CEO of Modulex,

"Modulex strives and will continue to innovate, adapt sustainable business practices, and bring eco-friendly material alternatives to our customers."

The carpets used by Modulux are mainly from hotels and ships.

In the UK, around 30% of worn carpets end up in landfills. However, households and businesses that dispose of carpets from their Chester and North Wales premises can arrange for them to go to a carpet recycling scheme. Carpets with unworn areas can be cleaned and sections made into carpet tiles. Materials from carpets can also be extracted to make a variety of products, including carpet backing and underlays. ReBond has created an additional use for waste carpets, giving them a renewed purpose as building signage.

The carpet industry aims to create a 100% closed recycling loop in which all carpets are recycled.