Desso CEO Joins Steering Committee of New Circular Economy Project at World Economic Forum

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Jan 24, 2014, 07:15 ET

WAALWIJK, the Netherlands, January 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

A new report on the circular economy, supported by a number of contributing companies including Desso, the global carpets, carpet tiles and sport pitches company, was launched today at the World Economic Forum's Annual Summit at Davos (January 22-25, 2014).

The report, Towards the Circular Economy, analyses the economic benefits for businesses shifting towards a circular economy.

The report finds that the circular economy can generate over US$1 trillion annually by 2025 for the global economy.

It draws on the knowledge of business and research and focuses on the way in which supply chains can increase the rate of recycling, reuse and remanufacture. It forms part of Project MainStream, a new World Economic Forum initiative in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and McKinsey & Co, which aims to work with companies to help realise the potential of the circular economy around specific areas such as materials management, information technologies and business model innovation. The organisers estimate that the potential benefits of Project MainStream will be to generate US$500 million in material cost savings, 100,000 new jobs and prevent 100 million tonnes of waste.

This year's theme for the Davos Summit is "The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business" and the event attracts more than 2,500 participants from 100 countries including 30 heads of state or government and 1,500 business leaders. Alexander Collot d'Escury, CEO of Desso who is currently attending the Davos summit has committed to supporting Project MainStream and joins its steering committee, tasked with developing the project over the next two years.

A special discussion on this will take place on Saturday, January 25^th in a private morning session.

"In a world of finite resources, we need to find a new, more restorative economic model for the world economy and one in which we develop supply chains that deliver healthy materials in our products when in use and when they are recycled. We spend 90% of our time indoors and it is imperative that all the materials that make up the built environment support health and wellbeing," says Alexander Collot d'Escury, CEO of Desso. "That is why we are delighted to be supporting this new report and Project MainStream with our experience of going circular along with other businesses."

Since 2008, Desso has followed Cradle to Cradle^® principles, a concept inspired by nature which calls for the design of products in such a way they can be returned and disassembled for recycling. At the heart of the model is the concept of designing out toxicity from the materials you use, ensuring they are positively defined. The Cradle to Cradle^® element combined with other innovation platforms of functionality and creativity enable Desso to make the transition to the circular economy.

Linked to this is Desso's vision to "make the floor work for our health and wellbeing", with the aim of contributing to a healthier and more productive indoor environment. The Cradle to Cradle^® focus on freeing materials of toxins and developing healthier closed loop systems reinforces Desso's health and wellbeing vision.

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For more information on the report, Towards the Circular Economy and Project Mainstream go to: http://reports.weforum.org/toward-the-circular-economy-accelerating-the-scale-up-across-global-supply-chains/

About DESSO^®

Desso is a global carpets, carpet tiles and sport pitches company, active in more than 100 countries. Desso products are supplied to corporate offices, education, healthcare, government, homes and also hotels, cruise liners and airlines.

It also produces world leading sports surfaces such as the DESSO GrassMaster^®, which has been installed at the home grounds of premier football sides and at the football "temple" Wembley.

Today, most people spend on average 90% of their time indoors which has led to the company's vision: "How to make the floor work for our health and wellbeing".

Our mission is to ensure that we develop unique products that deliver a much improved indoor environment that maximises people's health and wellbeing and ultimately their performance. This is driven by our innovation programme based on the three pillars of Creativity, Functionality and Cradle to Cradle^® design.

For more information please visit: http://www.desso.com

To find out more about Desso's Great Indoors Campaign visit: http://www.desso.com/about-desso/health-and-wellbeing/

To follow the debates at the World Economic Forum's annual summit in Davos go to:

http://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2014

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dessogroup

SOURCE Desso