Sustainability and Innovation

Sustainability as a Catalyst for Innovation

At Milliken & Company, we believe that visionary ideas can reshape the world. For more than 160 years, our commitment to making a positive impact has driven us to explore inventive solutions and responsible practices. We are fascinated by the difference a single molecule can make and are dedicated to bringing both imagination and collaboration to our work.

Sustainability is not just an obligation for us; it is a driving force behind our innovation. By aligning our core values of sustainability and innovation, we strive to deliver products that transform the everyday. Our goal is to address today’s challenges with purpose, benefiting both our partners and our planet.

In this article, we showcase how sustainability fuels innovation across Milliken’s businesses, transforming industries from textiles and flooring to chemical solutions. Join us as we explore some sustainable practices and innovative products at Milliken.

Driving Innovation in Automotive Textiles with TUF PET™

We believe that sustainable innovation doesn’t just respond to industry needs—it redefines them. That’s exactly what we set out to do with TUF PET™, our latest advancement in automotive flooring.

TUF PET is a nonwoven flooring solution that delivers exceptional durability, cleanability, and aesthetics—while using a minimum of 83% recycled content to meet the performance demands of automotive designers and the sustainability goals of OEMs. By eliminating the mixed-material construction of traditional tufted nylon, TUF PET simplifies recyclability and supports a more circular materials economy.

But sustainability doesn’t mean compromise. In fact, TUF PET outperforms tufted nylon in abrasion resistance, withstanding up to 3,000 Taber abrasion cycles before showing wear. It also offers superior molded aesthetics, eliminating the bridging and cornrows common in tufted products. And when it comes to cleanability,  TUF PET proves its strength—removing pet hair and debris more effectively in lab testing.

This is innovation that moves with the industry—literally. TUF PET is engineered for use in vehicle floors, mats, and cargo areas, offering OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers a cost-competitive, high-performance alternative that’s easier to mold, easier to recycle, and easier to adopt.

We’re not just making better materials. We’re reimagining what’s possible for the road ahead.

Advancing Plastics Circularity Through Material Science

We know creating a circular economy for plastics requires intentionality across the value chain. Designing plastics for circularity means looking at each stage in its lifecycle—from resin formulation and production through to consumer use and end-of-life state—and working with the industry to enhance or advance that stage’s contribution to circularity.

At Milliken, we apply our additives portfolio to support solutions that:

• Enable or encourage the use of recycled plastic content,
• Increase recyclability or ensure compatibility with recycling methods,
• Reduce material usage while retaining product performance, and
• Decrease the plastics value chain’s impact on the planet by reducing energy usage.

And it’s powerful to consider what one innovation can help unlock. By using our Millad® clarifying agent, for example, converters can create plastic packaging using clarified polypropylene (PP)—transforming the naturally hazy plastic into a transparent material on par with glass. Using less-dense, highly durable clarified PP in one packaging system might mean more efficient material usage, greater production efficiencies, more stability and safety in transport, and reduced impact from supply chain movement. After consumer use, the clarified PP packaging is highly compatible with existing recycling infrastructure, which can feed new plastic parts as post-recycled content material.

“A circular economy for plastics—while incredibly important and impactful—doesn’t happen overnight,” shared Deidre Sandrock, Senior Director of Sustainability and Innovation for Milliken’s Chemical Business. “It requires the value chain to take a systems approach to the way we look at design, waste and materials and the choices we make in the development, production, use, and post-consumer phases of plastic. Milliken applies its deep materials science expertise to envision solutions that can help tackle challenges and support the growing plastics economy.”

This is just one Milliken innovation in one application. Imagine the impact that can and does result at scale. We work with plastic stakeholders at all points of the value chain to translate that potential impact into tangible solutions that can be applied today.

Innovative Flooring Solutions That Prioritize Material Health

As a manufacturer, we recognize the importance of the materials we use in our products. These materials surround us, impacting our health and the environment. Robert MacMeccan, Global Vice President of Sustainability at Milliken, says, "We spend 90% of our time indoors, often in the same spots like offices, schools, and gyms. The materials we surround ourselves with can significantly affect our health." With material health at the forefront of our efforts, we work to develop more sustainable flooring solutions.

“The first step is really understanding what's in your product, and that's where materials transparency comes in,” Robert explains. All of Milliken’s carpet tiles are third-party verified to be PVC-free and Red List free —substances known to harm human and environmental health. "Our PVC-free and Red List free resilient flooring products, Mesa, Merge Forward, and En Plein Air offer great durability and beauty, marking a significant step in sustainable innovation," Robert notes. These groundbreaking collections deliver exceptional durability and style while supporting LEED or WELL certification. These collections do not contain phthalates, minimizing the release of toxic chemicals during production and disposal, and decreasing the overall environmental footprint associated with traditional PVC materials. They are certified Red List free, meaning they do not contain harmful chemicals, and they offer a clear pathway for recycling at the end of their life cycle. This makes them an excellent choice for projects aiming for LEED or WELL certification What does this mean for your project? It means you can confidently choose Milliken’s products to create spaces that are not only beautiful and durable but also have sustainable benefits.

Our Flooring is advancing sustainability in the built environment through our N/XT Life™️ Program. Focused on circularity, the program emphasizes longevity, transparency, and environmental impact reduction. Our product line includes over 1,000 carpet styles utilizing recycled yarn, promoting a circular economy. By prioritizing these sustainable practices, we are reducing waste and creating products that contribute to a healthier planet.

To learn more about our flooring certifications, visit our third party certifications page.

At Milliken, sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. Our commitment to sustainable solutions drives us to continually explore new ways to reduce our environmental footprint while delivering exceptional products. For a detailed look at our efforts and achievements, explore our 2024 Sustainability Report. Connect with us to explore our innovative solutions and discover how they can benefit your business. Share your thoughts and feedback to join the conversation on sustainability. Together, we strive to positively impact the world around us for generations to come.