Exhibitor Article
Forbo Flooring Systems: Sustainable Innovation for a Better Tomorrow
Forbo Flooring Systems: Sustainable Innovation for a Better Tomorrow
Posted by ORGATEC India
Written by Forbo Flooring Systems
Forbo Flooring Systems is a part of the Forbo Group, headquartered in Baar, Switzerland and listed in Six SWISS Six Exchange. Forbo Group is a leading producer of floor coverings, building and construction adhesives, as well as belts for power transmission and lightweight conveyor technology. Forbo boasts of a stable shareholder base with the Board of Directors holding more than 30% share.
Forbo Flooring Systems is a global leader in sustainable and innovative flooring solutions, renowned for its commitment to quality, design, and environmental responsibility. With a rich history spanning over a century, Forbo has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the flooring industry.
Company History: From Linoleum to Global Flooring Leader
The origin of Forbo dates back to 1928 when 3 linoleum manufacturers- German, Swedish and Swiss- formed the Continentale Linoleum Union. In 1930, 2 further manufacturing sites- Sarlino in Reims, France and the Nedelandsche Linoleumfabriek in The Netherlands joined the union, consolidating its position in the market. In 1970, the company adopted the name Forbo, and by 2007, it rebranded as Forbo Flooring Systems to better reflect its comprehensive range of flooring solutions.
Over the decades, Forbo expanded its product offerings beyond traditional linoleum. In 1977, the company introduced PVC flooring, followed by the development of acoustic flooring solutions in 1999. The acquisition of Bonar Floors in 2009 enabled Forbo to diversify into textile flooring with the innovative Flotex technology, which features about 80 million polyamide fibres per square meter installed vertically by electrostatic flocking in a PVC backing.
Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation
Sustainability is at the core of Forbo's operations.
Forbo Flooring’s Marmoleum is a cradle-to-gate carbon neutral product range. It combines ecological values with contemporary design and offers an important contribution to a sustainable world. Forbo Flooring Systems is world leader in linoleum, and it produces
Marmoleum flooring with 97% raw materials.
Using recycled, up-cycled (i.e. cocoa shells and tall oil) and re-used materials is a circular economy principle that has been applied in Marmoleum for ages. In Forbo’s linoleum factories, installation residues are collected and added to the recycling system, contributing to the 43% recycled content in Marmoleum. Other valuable streams, like jute or furniture linoleum backing paper residuals, are offered to parties that upcycle them into highly valuable or socially
responsible products.
Recently, in 2024, Forbo launched the Tessera Topology carpet tile collection, the first in its Evolve+ series, featuring Thrive® matter yarn from Universal Fibers. This yarn boasts a 90% recycled content and a very low embodied carbon footprint of less than 1.5 kg CO₂ per square meter. The collection is manufactured in facilities powered by 100% renewable energy, including both electricity and biogas.
Forbo's sustainability initiatives also include the "Back to the Floor" program, which collected over 600 tons of post-consumer flooring waste in 2024 alone, promoting circularity in the flooring industry.
The 3 pillars of Forbo’s ambition that drive the sustainability initiative are Renewability, Transparency and Circularity.
Here are a few of Forbo Flooring’s accomplishments:
• The average carbon emission per square meter product decreased by 70% from 2004-2021.
• Overall, 23% of its flooring is made up of recycled materials by weight, with some individual
products with as much as 89% recycled materials.
• All product categories offer adhesive-free flooring with 100% safe & traceable raw materials.
• 47 flooring ranges with independently reviewed Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).
• All EPDs have human health impact and eco-toxicity declarations.
• Over 10 years of annual sustainability reporting in adherence with Global Reporting Initiative
(GRI) guidelines.
Product Innovations: Design Meets Functionality
Forbo's product portfolio is a testament to its innovative spirit. The Marmoleum collection, a natural linoleum flooring, is made from 98% natural raw materials and offers a wide range of colors and designs. The Marmoleum Marbled collection, inspired by nature's color palette, features designs like Terra and Splash, which are climate positive and contribute to a negative CO₂ emission per square meter.
The Flotex collection combines the comfort and warmth of textile flooring with the durability and cleanability of resilient flooring. Its unique construction makes it suitable for a variety of applications, from healthcare to education.
In the realm of textile flooring, Forbo's Coral entrance mat collection utilizes Econyl yarns made from 100% regenerated materials, including waste fishing nets, contributing to ocean cleanup efforts.
Global Presence and Local Impact
Forbo Flooring Systems operates worldwide, with a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia. The company's products are designed to meet the diverse needs of its global clientele, offering solutions that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible.
In India, Forbo has established a significant footprint, providing high-quality flooring solutions that cater to the country's growing demand for sustainable building materials. The company's commitment to innovation and sustainability resonates with Indian consumers and businesses alike, contributing to the development of green buildings and infrastructure.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Flooring
As Forbo continues to innovate, the future of flooring looks promising. The company's focus on sustainability, combined with its commitment to quality and design, positions it as a leader in the flooring industry. With ongoing research and development, Forbo is poised to introduce new products and solutions that will shape the future of flooring, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of industry trends and environmental stewardship.
Forbo Flooring Systems' journey from its humble beginnings to its current status as a global leader in sustainable flooring is a testament to its dedication to innovation, quality, and environmental responsibility. As the company looks to the future, it remains committed to creating flooring solutions that not only meet the needs of today but also contribute to a more sustainable tomorrow.
New Launches & Highlights
Forbo Flooring Systems continues to lead the flooring industry with innovative and sustainable product launches in 2025. Their latest offerings reflect a commitment to both design excellence and environmental responsibility. Here's an overview of their newest collections:
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Marmoleum Solid Collection – Refreshed Palette
In February 2025, Forbo unveiled a refreshed Marmoleum Solid collection, introducing 26 new colorways across four curated palettes: Cocoa, Concrete, Walton, and Piano. These designs feature muted and neutral tones, including earthy ivories like Pannacotta and turmeric-inspired hues like Curcuma. Made from 98% natural raw materials, the collection is independently certified as Climate Positive cradle-to-gate, meaning it reduces more CO₂ than it emits during production.
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Furniture Linoleum – RoCollectible 2025
At Milan Design Week 2025, Forbo debuted its new Furniture Linoleum color palette, RoCollectible 2025. This collection features eight contemporary shades designed for furniture applications such as cabinetry and wall panels. The material is naturally anti-static, resistant to fingerprints, and climate-positive, manufactured using 100% green electricity. It also received the ‘Best of the Best’ 2025 design award at the Red Dot Awards.
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Surestep Balance – Dementia-Friendly Safety Flooring
Forbo has introduced Surestep Balance, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE)-compliant safety flooring designed specifically for dementia-friendly environments. This range features a minimalistic design with a matte finish, catering to the aesthetic and functional requirements of healthcare settings SpecifiedBy.
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Tessera Topology – Sustainable Carpet Tiles
In October 2024, Forbo launched Tessera Topology, the first collection in their Evolve+ series. This collection utilizes Thrive® matter yarn from Universal Fibers®, made from 100% solution- dyed nylon 6 with 90% recycled content. The carpet tiles boast over 75% recycled content and a very low embodied carbon footprint of less than 1.5 kg CO₂ per square meter. Manufactured in facilities powered by 100% renewable energy, Tessera Topology underscores Forbo's commitment to sustainability.
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Sarlon and Modul'up – Acoustic Vinyl Solutions
Forbo's new Sarlon and Modul'up collections offer advanced acoustic performance and versatility. Modul'up is a premium loose lay floor covering suitable for high-traffic environments, providing a 19 dB sound reduction rating. Sarlon offers acoustic solutions with 15 dB and 19 dB ratings, combining comfort and durability. Both collections are recyclable and contain up to 20% recycled material, aligning with Forbo's sustainability goals.
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Flotex Advance and Colour – Textile Flooring Innovations
Forbo has expanded its Flotex range with the introduction of Flotex Advance and Flotex Colour collections. Flotex Advance features two designs, Latitude and Code, offering a contemporary feel, while Flotex Colour includes semi-plain designs like Metro, Penang, and Calgary. Both collections are available in sheet and tile formats, providing flexibility for various applications.
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Coral Entrance Flooring Systems
“Coral” is Forbo’s brand of textile entrance flooring systems (mats, mats & tiles, sheets) designed to trap dirt & moisture at the entrance, reducing cleaning/maintenance costs and mproving safety (by reducing slip risk).
Key Features & Benefits:
• High dirt & moisture capture (up to 95%) – helps keep interiors cleaner.
• Lower maintenance & cost – reduced cleaning labor, fewer detergents, prolongs life of
downstream flooring.
• Fire rating Bfls1 (vinyl-backed versions) – meets good fire safety standards.
• Sustainability – use of Econyl® yarn, recycled PET backing, and low-landfill production.
• Variety of formats – sheets, mats, tiles, planks; various pile styles and widths.
These new product launches demonstrate Forbo Flooring Systems' dedication to innovation,
sustainability, and meeting the diverse needs of their customers. Whether you're seeking eco-
friendly options, acoustic solutions, or specialized flooring for healthcare environments, Forbo's
latest collections offer a range of high-quality choices.
Happy to participate at ORGATEC India 2025 and showcase our latest innovations for a
sustainable future of flooring.
Know more about Forbo Flooring Systems: www.forbo.com
ORGATEC India: www.orgatec-india.com
