Rebtex | News




	Archbishop chooses sisal flooring The Archbishop of York has invested in a new range of eco flooring products from an ethical, sisal manufacturing business based in Seshego, South Africa. They claim their product is the world’s first, natural, stain resistant, sustainable and totally recyclable floor covering. All the various components are produced from sustainable resources. The sisal carpet tiles are available in the UK and have been used to carpet the Archbishop's Diocesan residence and office. The factory choir recorded some songs as a thankyou for the cleric. Sisal fibre is made from the hand-picked leaves of the Agave Sisalana plant. Sisal is grown without pesticides or herbicides in sub tropical climates. The plant thrives even on land which would be unsuitable for any other crops. The base of the carpet tiles are made from recycled tyres. All the flooring products are naturally stain resistant through the manufacturer, Rebtex's unique Fibreguard process, the only system in sisal manufacturing where each and every fibre is treated long before the strands are spun or woven. "The treated sisal’s appearance and durability are second to none. These floorings are suitable for any room or building, but particularly those where environmental issues are of prime consideration. Our company has been working with sisal products for over 40 years. We are particularly proud of the work that we do in our township of Seshego in the northern part of South Africa, providing education for both adults and children, and we believe that our products can have a positive effect both locally and globally." Says, Ben Botes, a director of the company. The specially treated sisal creates a naturally strong and hardwearing flooring which can be beautifully incorporated into any interior design, room, building or business. The material is soft enough for bedrooms and yet tough enough for offices and hotels. Plus, Sisal’s natural resistance to water damage, along with the waterproofing treatment, make for a robust flooring that maintains its integrity without the use of synthetic chemicals. This flooring is part of the emerging, global bio-economy; Sisal has been cultivated since the 19th century and was then widely used in manufacturing, for ropes, yarns and for padding. However, the introduction of cheap, synthetic, petroleum-based fibres caused a massive slump in demand for sisal. Now, with sustainability concerns of petroleum based products and the rising cost of oil, sisal demand is quickly rising. (Source: www.newbuilder.co.uk - 29/10/2008 )