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

Waalwijk, The Netherlands (ots/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
25th 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(R) 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(R) 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(R) focus
on freeing materials of toxins and developing healthier closed loop
systems reinforces Desso's health and wellbeing vision.

MEDIA NOTES:

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

About DESSO(R)

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(R), 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(R) 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

ots Originaltext: Desso Sports Systems
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Please contact Anette Timmer to get further information on
Desso's circular economy strategy or on Project Mainstream or to
arrange an
interview with Alexander Collot d'Escury, CEO, Desso: Tel:
+31-416-684-100,
Email: atimmer@desso.com