Karndean Designflooring: designs on a greener future

Karndean Designflooring are going through a period of exciting change with the introduction of Fleur Carson as new managing director and the launch of Karndean Evolve, showcasing the company’s solid commitment to sustainability.

Karndean have always gone the extra mile when it comes to better business.

Fleur explains how sustainability is an ongoing part of that strategy, “It’s always been a key priority for us as and we’ve been openly transparent with our customers about how we invest and strive to do better.

“We’re fully committed to a more sustainable future, appointing Jamie Shaw as global head of sustainability last year. We are now launching Karndean Evolve, our dedicated model to integrate sustainability into everything we do as a business. It involves six key focus areas: confronting climate change, health and wellbeing, sustainable use of resources, diversity and inclusion, supply chain transparency and education.

“Sustainability is a journey that requires a roadmap, and we know there are no shortcuts. We are developing science-based targets that will require at least 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”

Karndean’s manufacturing facilities have all installed - or are investing in - on-site renewable energy generation and energy efficient technology. This includes solar panels that generate up to 30% of electrical energy used on site, locally sourced biomass for heating and a closed-loop water system for the production line. Fleur commented, ’”We’re proud that more than 40% of our electrical energy use in Evesham is already provided by solar generation on the rooves of our buildings.”

Fleur adds, “Our products are free from heavy metals and unsafe phthalates, as well as Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort (Gold) and FloorScore certified for post-installation indoor air quality, with third-party testing rating them A+ for volatile organic compounds. Our adhesives are either water-based or solvent-free with very low VOC emissions. Importantly, our products use as much as 50% recycled PVC in the backing layers, with material derived from post-production waste such as offcuts and process dust.

“And aside from our products, our company cars are hybrid or fully electric.”

Work has also started on Karndean’s multimillion-pound warehouse site at their head office in Evesham. Due for completion in November 2024, the 9,000m2 facility is targeting BREEAM Excellent and will include 460 solar PV panels with air source heat pumps, LED lighting and no use of natural gas.

Fleur explains, “It will more than double our warehouse space supporting us for the next 10 to 15 years. As one of Evesham’s largest employers, it will also help us create ten jobs initially.

“We have also invested in an Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) audit in October 2023 to identify even more ways we can save energy as a business.

“Promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of our business, and it is embodied in our values and culture. To date, we have pledged the Armed Forces Covenant in October, partnered with People Plus, a social inclusion recruitment charity, and introduced a paid volunteering day for all team members.”

“Our executive team are heavily involved in our EDI, running a series of in-house discussions on subjects they’re passionate about, such as mental health, diversity and social value. We’re also big fans of eating cake to raise funds, with our annual World’s Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

Referring back to the sustainability strategy, Jamie explains, “At Karndean, we are committed to producing stylish and durable floors with the lowest possible impact on the environment across the entire life cycle of the product. With the accreditations to back this up, all our product ranges come with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).”

An EPD is an independently authenticated document to help specifiers make informed decisions about a product’s environmental impact and lifecycle.

However, while it offers reassurance about stringent technical specifications, Jamie believes specifiers should get geeky with the information: “An EPD presents a snapshot of potential environmental impact within a single specified scenario and is valid for five years. While there is best practice guidance when it comes to EPDs, there is also plenty of complexity and variability in the data offered by manufacturers who may use different scenario assumptions and select which data to include.

“So, it’s good to know that transparent manufacturers like Karndean are able and willing to calculate project specific data, allowing specifiers to make accurate like-for-like comparisons.”

The company are also developing a new contractual maturity model for supply chain targets, while the technical team continues work on innovative products to revolutionise the way we think about our built environment.

Looking ahead, Fleur concludes, “Navigating the market has become a norm and our focuses remain the same; on our people, excellent service proposition and diversifying in the new areas. Listening to our customers and giving them the support they need. This looks very different to previous years, and we’re equipped to provide this.

“We’re firmly focused on growth and future proofing to support our customers and ultimately, continue to grow our well-established brand. We’re excited and ready for 2024.”

More information about Karndean Evolve is at Karndean.com/evolve