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What being green really means!

Natural / Renewable / Biodegradable / Sound Absorbing / Flame Resistant / Durable / Anti-Static /Naturally Insulating

Worldwide in scope, DMI floor coverings originate from a diverse group of manufacturers and the various growers and fiber producers that support them. A wide range of floor coverings are collected in our Dutch warehouses, and then distributed throughout Europe to independent retailers and interior designers. Because of our commitment to maintain large inventories of all styles, the carpets, rugs, and flooring are shipped within days of receiving an order. Ultimately placing the world's unique flooring styles within easy reach of the European marketplace.

Green by Nature

Natural Fiber facts from Design Materials Europe

The media is full of mixed messages about "green" products. We hear of many efforts that sound good, but most come with hidden environmental costs which are rarely discussed. Recycling is a good example. It takes barrels of petroleum to collect and sort post-consumer waste, not to mention the millions of kilowatts needed to recycle carpet back into carpet or to upcycle plastic bottles into floorcovering.

Why not choose a product that is natural from the start?

Floorcoverings from Design Materials Europe are made from sisal, seagrass and mountaingrass - all of which are renewable, sustainable and biodegradable. The growers we work with have been practicing their craft for centuries with respect for their land and their people. These crops sustain their culture and are part of an eco-system that supports life, sustains the earth and betters our future.

It's what being "green" really means

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Seagrass

Seagrass carpets from Design Materials are made from the Sedge family of plants, which grow in the low-lying areas of the Asia-Pacific region. The perennial grasses are harvested from paddy fields that are flooded with seawater during the growing cycle. When the grass is mature, the fields are drained and the plants are cut and bundled. Workers twist (or ply) the grass entirely by hand and send it to factories where it is wound on tubes, loaded on creels and woven into carpet.

Seagrass, once thought to be an unuseable fiber, has been transformed be weavers into sought-after products such as baskets, placemats, bowls and flooring. The yarn, which is strong, durable and non-porous, has a naturally smooth texture, subtje sheen and warm hue that make it a popular choice for use in carpets and rugs.

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Sisal

Design Materials uses superior-grade sisal, grown on plantations in Tanzania, East Africa. This extremely strong fiber is obtained from the long, green leaves of the Agave plant. Each leaf contains an average of 1000 fibers that are extracted, washed, sundried, brushed, graded and baled. The remaining plant is used to produce electricty, which supports Tanzania's economy and helps energize rural areas.

Sisal is used in many hard-wearing products, including twines, ropes, plaster reinforcements and dartboards. The same qualities of strength that make the fiber preferred in these products, make it ideal for floor covering. Aside from its durability, sisal is remarkably versatile, enabling Design Materials to produce carpets in an exceptional range of colors.

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Coir

Coir fibers are found between the husk and the outer shell of the coconut. In Kerala, India, where most coir is harvested, fully grown coconuts are split on spikes to remove  the nutricious layer of fruit. The remaining shells are soaked in fresh water rivers until the husks deterioate, leaving the golden brown fiber, which is sun-dried and hand-spun into yarn. With careful care and attention, coir fiber can be harvested for years from the same coconut trea.

Highly prized for its strenght and durability, coir has long been a favorite for hardwearing rugs. The fiber, which has natural elasticity, can be twisted without breaking and holds a curl as though permanently waved. The unique characteristics lend themselves to beautiful textures that look good in any style home.

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