sustainability

Ball & Young

Few companies have taken their environmental responsibilities as seriously as Ball & Young and their Cloud 9 underlay range is underwritten by sustainability credentials that are second to none. “We have stayed ahead of the market on environmental issues,” says managing director Ann Shaw. “Now customers are coming on board as specifiers and consumers increasingly demand to see real sustainability that goes beyond fine words and hopeful claims.”

As part of The Vita Group, Ball & Young is the first flexible PU foam manufacturer globally to have their science-based targets verified by the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) to become one of less than 1,500 companies across the globe to have set ambitious targets that are in line with the reductions needed to meet the 1.5o set in the Paris Climate Accord.

The Group received an enhanced grading in the EcoVadis award from Silver to Gold in 2022 to put Ball & Young and The Vita Group in the top 3% of companies for their sustainability.

Only recycled flexible PU foam is used in the manufacture of the high performance Cloud 9 range of underlays, using offcuts sourced from within The Vita Group including the underlay off-cuts taken back from customers saving over 250k tonnes of waste PU from going to landfill.

The paper backing on the underlay comes from managed replenished wood stocks, and the final product is wrapped in recyclable packaging. The company’s manufacturing processes are designed and monitored to minimise environmental impact, and since March 2021, the Corby-based plant has used 100% of its electricity from wind sources.

T 01536 200502 www.underlay.com

2022

Tempting textures Cormar Carpets

Wool was front and centre on the Cormar stand with key developments reflecting the increasing interest in natural fibres. The company has brought together three loop pile products in a new “Wool Textures” lectern, demonstrating Cormar’s ability to appeal to current consumer demand.

First is the brand new Fairisle, a 3-ply, ¼ gauge carpet in 10 natural shades. Inspired by the Shetland Islands, Fairisle is a chunky, textured level loop with a subtle heathered appearance. Fairisle is at the premium end of Cormar’s portfolio yet offers great value in it’s price sector.

Second up is Malabar Two Fold, the popular 100% wool loop pile first launched in 2001, recoloured in 2016, and now enjoying a new makeover with a bank of new colours in two textures – a sophisticated ribbed style and popular weave design. The now 20-strong palette of natural colours includes a wider selection of warmer tones such as Nubuck and Pinto.

Completing the trio is Pimlico, a 50/50 wool loop launched last year as an affordable entry-level range with a level and textured option, plus a selection of pinstripes.

Also showcased were two of Cormar’s new easy clean polypropylene qualities the sumptuous Trinity in 14 tri-colour heather tones and the recently relaunched Primo Ultra range.

T 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Making more of the future Cavalier Carpets

Cavalier Carpets is confident - investing heavily in the future and developing exciting new products across the portfolio.

The investment comes in the form of a nearly £1 million graphics machine commissioned in Q4 2022 to increase the company’s capacity for plain and patterned carpet manufacturing up to 5m wide.

And four new launches at the BGNFS suggests there is a lot of carpet to be made!

Curlew is Cavalier’s latest loop – a stylish range in 3-ply 100% wool with a slightly heathered look and lots of stylish appeal. Also Snowdon, a clean 90/10 wool carpet which won awards when it was previewed last year, is now finally being rolled out to retailers in 16 colours as a sophisticated sister product to the highly successful Pennine Heathers.

The other two launches are all pandering to the public’s appetite for polyester – getting the performance benefits and softness of this fibre compared to polypropylene. New Satin sits alongside Cavalier’s top selling Silken polyester to offer a super-soft hardwearing 50oz option in 12 colours. The company also has a new heavyweight polyester range – as yet unchristened – which will use the fibre’s resilience to support a luxurious, deep pile construction.

T 01254 268 000 www.cavaliercarpets.co.uk

Hard-working luxury Balta

Balta is pushing fast forward to grow its presence and range portfolio in the UK and is backed up by substantial UK stockholding and distribution through its parent Victoria group.

“The product offer is getting stronger and stronger and we are very ready for the demands of today’s customer,” says sales director Filip Poelman as the company showcased several new products at the BGNFS.

Marking a strong re-entry into the natural fibre sector, Woolmaster by Balta is a big initiative to build a compelling offer. On show in Solihull were Prestige Twist, a smart 80/20, alongside Prestige Design, a tight structured loop – both sharing the same six-colour contemporary palette. Balta signalled its intention to further develop its offer in loop with Luxury Weave, a 100% wool 3-ply chunky loop and there will be more to come.

Balta’s Made in Heaven collection attracts attention for its sophisticated appearance and robust performance and three options were on show with Eclipse, Sublime and Crescent. Eclipse and Crescent are soft, dense polyesters which share the same elegant 12 colours with subtle lustre. “We have excellent know-how to produce luxurious but hard-working carpets that consumers love,” says Filip.

T 03303 411 410 www.baltacarpets.com