Page 44 - CFJ_Jul26

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Milliken highlights circular flooring

solutions for contractors at

Clerkenwell Design Week

For Kate Burnett, director of product and strategy development at Milliken,
the future of flooring depends on creating practical circular economy solutions
that work not just for manufacturers and clients, but for contractors too.

AVING joined Milliken as a graduate Design Week were invited to identify the
Hduring the decline of the UK textiles difference between reused and brand new
industry in the ‘90s, Kate has now spent tiles.
almost 30 years in the sector. Passionate ‘People can still have a high quality
about sustainability, wellbeing and product across a 15-year life cycle,’ Kate
collaboration, she believes contractors said. ‘The key thing is making sure those
have a vital role to play in ensuring products are recovered properly at end of
flooring materials remain in a reuse and life so they can be reused or reprocessed
recycling loop rather than being lost to instead of disposed of.’
landfill. That is where contractors become
‘Relationships still underpin the flooring central to the process.
industry,’ said Kate. ‘Over many years ‘Contractors are often the people closest
we’ve built those relationships as a brand to the point of uplift,’ she explained. ‘They
people can trust.’ Kate Burnett are in the ideal position to help divert
A key part of Milliken’s approach is material away from landfill and into reuse
designing products specifically to support perceptions around reused flooring or recycling routes.’
reuse and second-life applications. products.’ Milliken’s N/XT Life take-back
‘We’re showcasing our commitment to One of the company’s latest programme has been developed
the circular economy by demonstrating demonstrations highlights carpet tiles specifically to support contractors and
how our products are designed to that have been refurbished and cleaned clients looking for an alternative to
maintain their appearance and cushion through Milliken’s reuse partnership with traditional disposal routes.
properties over long life cycles,’ Kate Paris-based specialist ORAK. Visitors to ‘We want to make it straightforward,’
explained. ‘We’re actively challenging Milliken’s showroom during Clerkenwell Kate said. ‘Contractors already have

Above: Milliken’s lastest collections Quiet Statement and Open Studio

44 CFJ July 2026 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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