Published in Specifier magazine, July 2009

Leading floor coverings manufacturer Belgotex Floorcoverings achieved full compliance with ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management systems, in May 2009, assuring specifiers, designers and consumers of an ‘environmental choice’ in flooring products.

Justifiably proud of the achievement, Belgotex Floorcoverings is branding its products with the company’s Environmental Choice logo, which confirms its eco-friendly production practices. Belgotex is also a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa.

“Going green is now a mainstream criterion in the choice of products generally,” says Frank Moffat, marketing director at Belgotex Floorcoverings. “That includes the product, its functionality and the manufacturing processes involved in its production.”

The company’s environmental system dictates stringent controls on manufacturing in terms of energy consumption, water usage, air pollution and waste recycling.

“Our main goal,” adds Moffat, “is to operate a ‘green’ factory through responsible production practices, to extend the life of products and to recycle whenever it is economically and environmentally feasible. This has set us at the forefront of technology in carpet manufacturing.”

All Belgotex Floorcoverings’ activities and products are designed to marry environmental imperatives with performance and style demands.

The company’s innovative technical marketing team has developed a new commercial range using the latest fibre technology – branded as SDX (Solution Dyed Nylon for Extreme Conditions) – which is engineered to withstand increased exposure to sunlight (UV) and offer colourfast, stain-proof performance without compromising on style or comfort.

SDX is carried mainly by the Nexus commercial division, while Belgotex Carpets services the residential market.

The SDX manufacturing process itself is a dry manufacturing process that conserves both water and energy and the company’s move to this material illustrates its ongoing commitment to environmental best practice in manufacturing.

Public high traffic areas in particular call for floor coverings that provide noise reduction, safety underfoot and insulation. Unrivalled on all three counts, the SDX tufted carpet tile ranges also offer simple and cost efficient installation and maintenance.

As the largest carpet manufacturer in the southern hemisphere, Belgotex Floorcoverings also supplies tailormade carpets for major banks, corporations and government institutions through CustomX.