Benefits and FAQs

Learn more about the benefits of sustainable design and nora® flooring solutions.

What are the benefits of nora sustainable flooring solutions?

Our sustainable rubber floor coverings are extremely tough and hard wearing, meaning a long life expectancy and further conservation of resources. Eco-friendly rubber is easy to clean, doesn’t require coatings or wax, is scuff-resistant and doesn’t contain any PVC, plasticizers (phthalate) or halogens (e.g., chlorine). Since our rubber floors do not contain any PVC, it also guarantees that no hydrochloric acid, dioxins and furans are generated.

What is nora rubber flooring made of?
Made from industrial rubber and the sap of the tropical rubber plant (Hevea brasiliensis), nora floor coverings are also supplemented by raw mineral materials extracted from natural deposits and by environmentally-compatible color pigments.

Where does natural rubber come from?
Natural rubber is a renewable raw material extracted from the sap of the tropical rubber plant and supplied as compression-molded bales of rubber. Rubbers with special properties can then be manufactured in specific processes.

How important are ecological factors in production?
nora rubber floor coverings are manufactured in state-of-the-art production plants. The production process uses only the absolute necessary amount of energy, obtained with high efficiency through the combined heat and power principle.

Are nora rubber floors easy to install?
Thanks to their resilient material, industry-recommended tile sizes and installation with solvent-free, environmentally-compatible acrylic adhesives, nora floor coverings are easy to install.

Which environmentally compatible adhesives are used to install nora floor coverings?
nora floor coverings are normally installed in rolls or tiles using solvent-free, environmentally-friendly acrylic adhesives—classified as low-emission products according to ECI or South Coast (CA) Air Quality Management, District 1168.

nora floor coverings can be installed utilizing traditional flooring adhesives, or nora's innovative dry tape adhesives - nora dryfix, nora Stepfix and nora Basefix. These high-performance dry adhesives emit no smell, are environmentally-compatible and require minimal downtime - resulting in higher cost savings.

Are the packaging materials environmentally friendly?
nora floor coverings are packaged in 100% recyclable cardboard boxes. The roll goods are supplied on hard paper cores made of recycled cardboard. Even the secondary packaging is made of recyclable paper. Each roll is supplied on wooden pallets (which get returned), that are sealed in recyclable, environmentally-friendly polyethylene film.

Do nora floor coverings emit dangerous substances when in use? Do these substances affect indoor air quality?
Due to the composition of nora floor coverings, they do not emit substances in toxic concentrations. nora floor coverings do not contain any PVC, plasticizers (phthalate) or halogens (e.g., chlorine).

nora floor coverings are Indoor Air Quality certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI). GEI is a world-wide acknowledged institute focusing on healthy indoor environments. All certified products are regularly subjected to emission requirements.

nora products have also been awarded the Blue Angel eco-label, one of the oldest and more respected eco-labels in the world.

How long do nora floor coverings last?
Our durable floor coverings have extended life cycles, typically 30 years, which reduce the need for frequent removal and disposal.

What does nora systems do with the production scraps?
Production scraps such as die-cut trim and sanding dust from rubber floor coverings are granulated and become part of the raw material base of new rubber flooring products as high-quality fillers and decorative color speckles.

Do you use other forms of recycling installation scraps and old floor coverings?
There are various ways of disposing of these scraps and old coverings, including material, thermal, and complete material/thermal recycling, even landfill disposal.

What is your company philosophy on environmental protection in the workplace?
nora employees are committed to reducing their carbon footprint. The company’s sustainable operational practices include recycling programs that encompass paper, bottles, computers and office equipment, as well as the use of recycled shipping materials and office furniture. Lighting motion sensors, low mercury compact fluorescent lights and programmable thermostats contribute to energy conservation. Even our coffee and tea is fair trade.