Advancements in fibre technology means that there is a multitude of fibres used to make carpets and rugs. Understanding the characteristics of different flooring fibres helps support clearer, more confident conversations at point of sale. There is no single “best” option, as each fibre brings its own set of benefits and considerations, depending on how and where it is used.
Historically, synthetic flooring has raised questions around material origin and disposal. However, developments in fibre technology and product design continue to evolve, with increasing attention paid to material efficiency and how products are managed at the end of their usable life. One example of how end-of-life challenges can be addressed is with the new solution from Alternative Flooring.
Thoughtfully crafted and consciously designed, Echo-CoRE is a pioneering one-material carpet where the yarn, fibre and backing are all made from the same smart source – 100% polyester, with no latex.
This cutting-edge approach solves one of the industry’s biggest sustainability challenges: the complex, costly separation of fibres from backing at the end of a product’s life. With Echo-CoRE, the entire carpet can be recycled back into new carpet or other high-quality products.
The circularity continues after installation. When Echo-CoRE reaches the end of its first life, it is collected, cleaned, and reduced back into its purest form. The material is then transformed into granulate, ready to be reborn as new carpet or other high-quality products, such as car mats, which can be recycled again. For the first time, the cycle remains unbroken.
As beautiful as it is sustainable and with the look and feel of wool, Echo-CoRE is soft underfoot, enduringly strong and available in 10 versatile shades. It’s available as a fully fitted carpet or crafted into bespoke rugs and runners through Alternative Flooring’s Make Me A Rug service, ensuring circular design fits every home and every room.
Renowned for its sophisticated, design-led collections, Elements London offer an exceptional portfolio of luxurious wool, refined wool blends, silk-effect carpets, and most recently, innovative indoor/outdoor flatweaves. Thoughtfully curated luxury carpet and rug collections transform interiors with enduring style and effortless sophistication, so every step is extraordinary.
At the heart of the Elements offering is its bestselling brand, the Manhattan Collection – an exclusive trio of luxurious, distinctive, and highly durable ranges: Times Square, Broadway, and Wall Street. Each range features a different thermal overall grade, ranging from 1.3 to 1.7, ensuring comfort as well as performance. Bold, innovative, and impeccably designed, these carpets fuse artistry with cutting-edge technology, inviting you to step into the future of flooring with TEKSILK.
Crafted from the finest polyamide 6.6 fibres with a low-VOC backing, TEKSILK is engineered to combine the refined aesthetic and luxurious feel of silk with exceptional resilience. Designed to resist compression and withstand heavy foot traffic in both residential and commercial environments, TEKSILK carpets offer up to 75% greater longevity than many competing nylon carpets, seamlessly blending luxury, performance, and sustainability.
The Manhattan Collection represents a new generation of luxury carpets: silky-soft underfoot, visually striking, and remarkably durable. Naturally mothproof and available in 12 distinctive colourways inspired by New York’s cultural energy and legendary cocktail scene, these collections are perfectly suited to bedrooms, living spaces, hotels, and even superyachts. Offered in 4 and 5 metre widths, they are suitable for both domestic and commercial applications, delivering indulgent comfort and lasting beauty – even in the busiest spaces.
There is a continued noticeable consumer shift towards a growing desire to incorporate natural materials into our homes. When it comes to carpets and rugs, British Wool are clear on why wool is the ultimate natural fibre. Valued for its natural properties and enduring appeal, wool has been used in carpets for centuries.
Wool-rich blends commonly use around 80% wool combined with a small percentage of synthetic fibre to enhance durability do introduce additional challenges for end-of-life processing. However, the enduring properties of wool can improve air quality by naturally absorbing humidity and moisture within the home.
Consumers are also increasingly drawn to plant fibres such as coir, sisal and seagrass, for their texture and direct connect to nature. These fibres are typically derived from renewable plant sources and are known for their distinctive visual character. Made from coconut husks, coir is robust and highly durable, offering a coarse texture well suited to informal or high-use areas. Sisal provides a more refined appearance, with a smooth, structured surface that works well in contemporary interiors. And the subtle sheen of seagrass has a slightly waxy feel, which can offer some resistance to moisture compared with other plant fibres.
While plant-based flooring is valued for its natural aesthetic, it can be firmer underfoot and may not deliver the same level of softness underfoot or acoustic properties and other flooring fibres. Sensitivity to moisture, staining or environmental conditions can also influence suitability depending on room location and lifestyle.
It is important we use transparent and balanced language when discussing sustainability with consumers. Across all fibre types, sustainability is not defined by surface material alone. Many traditional carpets, whether natural or synthetic often combine multiple materials in their construction. While this often enhances performance, it can complicate recycling or recovery processes.
Fibre choice is about balancing comfort, appearance, performance and personal values. Wool, plant-based and synthetic flooring each offer credible solutions when matched to the right application. By understanding the characteristics of each fibre, retailers and distributors are better placed to guide consumers toward flooring choices that meet both practical needs and personal priorities.
by Rita Bancroft
Rita is Director of Bancmarketing Ltd and has over 30 years of marketing experience with a proven track record in both business to business and business to consumer multi-channel marketing.
For more information contact:
Alternative Flooring • 01264 335111 • alternativeflooring.com
British Wool • 01274 688 666 • britishwool.org.uk
Elements London • 020 7394 5016 • elementscarpet.com