FEICA 2023 Conference and EXPO
Tarragona, Spain, 13-15 September 2023

Presentation Abstract

Circular Flooring - Making Reuse Reality through Material & Process Innovation

Floor coverings installed using wet adhesives pose a challenge for reuse or recycling on uplift due to contamination. This results in flooring being sent for incineration or landfill, and lengthy and expensive rectification work to the sub-floor.

To address this, IOBAC patented a range of dry-laid installation technologies that enable flooring to be affixed securely throughout, yet cleanly and easily uplifted. These include new to the world coatings, 100% solid filmic adhesive, ferrosilicone, magnetism and graphene.

These reversible fixing mechanisms enable flooring to be reused, vastly improving circularity and facilitating flooring manufacturers' take-back schemes.

Building assets such as raised access flooring and concrete subfloors are protected from damage, with the additional embodied carbon associated with new materials avoided.

From plant-based resins containing metal additives from recycled scrap iron to underlays made from recycled rubber tyres, IOBAC products contain recycled content and are recyclable wherever possible.

The talk will cover IOBAC's journey in sustainable product development, as well as the challenges of educating and encouraging the construction industry to adopt new ways of working.

Today, IOBAC solutions are specified by architects and clients for their sustainability benefits. They have received endorsements from leading flooring manufacturers and recognition through industry innovation awards.