Echo Tech feature - Life expectancy/performance & Reduction in toxicity – VOCs, CFCs, HCFCs, effects on indoor air quality

Established in 1996, The Versatile Flooring Company has grown to become a world leader in loose-laid interlocking floor tiles made from 100% recycled plastics. The company is committed to quality, customer service and product innovation and has invested heavily in product development. Clients include architects, facilities managers and interior designers who rely on The Versatile Flooring Company’s delivery of practical, cost effective and durable flooring solutions that have minimal environmental impact. The product’s impact is minimised by thorough use of recycling, by reducing toxicity, by improving life expectancy to 25 years and by making repair and replacement simple.

The company’s range of EcoTile floor tiles are used in schools, hospitals, sport facilities, industrial, commercial and garage applications. Specifiers choose EcoTile where tough, low maintenance flooring is required with minimal environmental impact.

EcoTile interlocking floor tiles are manufactured by injection moulding using virgin or, more commonly, recycled plastic. The company sources all its raw material from regulated facilities and it uses pre and post-consumer recycled plastics including; PVC, PPE, and ABS

The Versatile Flooring Company’s range of EcoTiles last longer than resin, vinyl, rubber, tiles or carpet with a life span of 25 years. The product can be easily lifted, moved and re-installed.  

The raw material used in these interlocking floor tiles has inherent thermal, acoustic and electrical insulation properties. Noise reduction of up to 46db can be achieved. The floor tiles are comfortable to walk and stand on and can reduce fatigue, especially in the workplace.

The tiles are loose laid so there is no need for adhesives that can emit harmful volatile organic compounds. Regulators have been working on cutting the levels of Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs commonly found in flooring adhesives. Whilst there are trace elements of volatile compounds from modifiers and non PVC based additives the VOC emissions are very significantly lower than resin based flooring systems or the levels encountered when using adhesives to stick down conventional floor coverings. EcoTile is a flooring solution that is EMICODE EC1, in other words those that are best in class.

Reuse and recycling

EcoTile floor tiles are fully recyclable when removed and the company operates a free collection and recycling scheme. At the end of its service life the tiles can be granulated and re-used to manufacture a new floor. Most other waste floor coverings will end up in landfill due to the fact that once it has been adhered to the floor it cannot be re-used. Not only can the products be recycled but there is also a strong market for pre-owned tiles