Anker, Devan and Shark Solutions produce world’s first 'circular' flame retardant aviation carpet

Anker, Devan and Shark Solutions teamed up to create the world’s first flame retardant aviation carpet that utilizes a 100% recycled binder.

Inspired by the needs of the aviation market, Anker took the steps to make this goal a reality. This PVB (polyvinyl butyral) binder is sourced from recycled vehicle windshields and architectural/building glass that otherwise would go to landfills.

German carpet manufacturer Anker is the first company to offer flame retardant carpets for aviation that are made with a recycled binder. In the search for a more sustainable binder, Anker discovered the PVB from Shark Solutions, a Danish cleantech company focused on giving new life to post-consumer PVB. 

The properties of aviation carpet using sustainable PVB as a binder are the same as traditional non-sustainable carpets. Anker has commenced the introduction of this sustainable carpet and will follow with other styles of aviation carpets. They plan to quickly transition to this sustainable solution as soon as possible. 

Shark Solutions recovers and recycles PVB from laminated glass structures (windshields and architectural/building glass), that otherwise would have gone to landfills. This non-toxic binder (no chlorine or phthalates) is fully recyclable and thus lives up to the future standards of the industry.

Textile innovator Devan Chemicals, known for its tailor-made flame retardant solutions, was called in to develop the flame retardant back coating, which is compliant with Airbus and Boeing safety standards.

Dirk Vanpachtenbeke, R&D manager Flame Retardants at Devan 

“Based on many years of experience and competences in customer related developments, improving recycling rates is getting more and more important. We are very proud that, together with Anker and Shark Solutions, we can contribute to this rising demand for products that meet the standards of a circular economy solution.”