Mohawk Group Becomes First Ever Flooring Manufacturer to Achieve Living Product Challenge Petal Certification
SEATTLE , May 18, 2017 /3BL Media/ — Mohawk Group, a leading commercial flooring company known for cutting-edge and innovative flooring solutions, has just become the first flooring manufacturer to achieve Living Product Challenge Petal certification for the company’s new Lichen modular plank carpet system. The certification, which presents the most rigorous standard for sustainable manufacturing, was officially announced today at the International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) annual unConference in Seattle.
“Our new Lichen collection demonstrates Mohawk’s commitment to believe in better in the way that we create products, right down to their design’s most elementary aspects. This new product cultivates a unique connection point with Mother Nature as the first floorcovering to be recognized with Living Product Challenge Petal Certification,” said George Bandy, vice president of sustainability at Mohawk Group. “Mohawk’s sense of responsibility to product transparency encourages us daily to look for ways we can meaningfully set the bar higher for sustainability through innovative products with reduced environmental and social impacts.”
The ILFI’s Living Product Challenge is a product certification program, advocacy tool and philosophy that defines the most advanced measure of sustainability in product manufacturing today. The Challenge is comprised of seven performance categories called Petals: place, water, energy, health & happiness, materials, equity and beauty. Petal Recognition is given to products that satisfy the requirements in three categories of the Living Product Challenge, when at least one is water, energy or materials. Lichen met the place, water, and health & happiness Petals.
“Mohawk has significantly raised the bar with their new LPC certified Lichen Collection by launching a product that is 3rd party verified to be non-toxic and net positive for water through an incredible partnership with Morehouse college to create water Handprints. The product is a perfect marriage of sustainability and design, and is a concrete example of how companies can create positive change in the world through the Living Product Challenge,” said James Connelly, living product challenge director for ILFI.
Mohawk Group commissioned Jason F. McLennan, of McLennan Design and founder of the Living Product Challenge, to design the Lichen Collection. Inspired by the idea of “Nature’s Carpet,” the design team looked at natural assemblages of rich multi-hued, multi-textured lichens from extreme climates as the foundation for the collection. Just as lichens play a regenerative role in their ecosystem, the Lichen Collection gives more resources back to the environment than it uses during its entire life cycle.
“Lichen isn’t a singular, isolated accomplishment for our talented design team, but a sign of more offerings on the way. Lichen has been a strategic opportunity to introspectively look at different ways we can have a net positive impact on people and the environment, leaving a ‘handprint’ as we seek to touch the built environment like never before,” said Jackie Dettmar, vice president of product design and development for Mohawk Group.
About The International Living Future Institute
The International Living Future Institute is an environmental NGO committed to catalyzing the transformation toward communities that are socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. Composed of leading green building experts and thought-leaders, the Institute is premised on the belief that providing a compelling vision for the future is a fundamental requirement for reconciling humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The Institute runs the Living Building Challenge, Living Community Challenge, Living Product Challenge, Net Zero Energy Certification, the Cascadia Green Building Council, Ecotone Publishing, Declare, JUST and other leading-edge programs. A global network of more than 400 volunteers across nearly 30 countries drive the local adoption of restorative principles in their communities.
About McLennan Design
McLennan Design was formed in 2013 as a new firm dedicated to the creation of Living Buildings, Net-Zero and Regenerative Projects. Founded by global sustainability leader and green design pioneer Jason F. McLennan, the firm brings institutional knowledge and expertise of the Living Building Challenge, and the host of related programs, unmatched in the A/E industry. Joined by partners Thomas Knittel and Dale Duncan’s combined 70 years of experience in the profession, the firm is experienced in virtually every building type, domestically and abroad.
About Mohawk Group
Mohawk Group, the world’s leading producer and distributor of quality commercial flooring, delivers industry-leading style, cutting-edge innovation, unmatched service and superior sustainability. As the commercial division of Mohawk Industries, Mohawk Group has a heritage of craftsmanship that spans more than 130 years. The company’s enduring family of brands—Mohawk, Karastan, and Durkan—are widely regarded as the most trusted names in the commercial flooring business. Together, these brands function beautifully, delivering the perfect flooring solution for all markets and price points. Rounding out its esteemed product offering, the Mohawk Group also offers a full spectrum of hard surface flooring products and installation accessories that exceed the most rigorous performance standards. For additional information about its proven design solutions, and to learn more about what is next from Mohawk, visit www.mohawkgroup.com or call (800) 554-6637.
