A range of rubber flooring and paving products has achieved a Global GreenTag Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) Level B rating from the green building product rating and certification organisation, GreenTag.

GreenTag is an independent ecolabel and certification standard aimed at ensuring that products are tested and certified using international certification programmes and scientific methods. It is recognised in over 70 countries including Australia, New Zealand Malaysia and South Africa, and others across Africa and South East Asia.

The GreenTag certification process involves the assessment of a supply chain from the ingredients to the final product. Audits cover all aspects of sustainability, with products scored against a variety of criteria including greenhouse-gas emissions, biodiversity, health and ecotoxicity, life cycle analysis, synergy or product efficiency, social responsibility and labour conditions.

GreenTag certification has been recognised by the GBCSA as a product certification standard for the Materials Fit out Calculator in Green Star SA Interiors v1 rating tool.

A GBCSA Level B certification will achieve 85% of the credit points required by the GBCSA for a floor covering.

South African producer of recycled rubber flooring, paving, acoustic cradles and ballistic blocks, Van Dyck Floors received the certification after undergoing the assessment process, which began in September 2017.  

The company explains that the certification covers its social, quality and environmental policies as well as the characteristics of the product and that its rubber pavers are certified from a material constituent basis as well.

Product formulations were required to be provided for the ingredients used for each of the products manufactured.

The company’s paving products were sent to Australia to test for water vapour resistance, thermal cycle, density surface resistance and colour fastness, amongst other properties. 

The current product range includes rubber tiles, pavers and interlocking mats which are used in high traffic and high-risk areas such as old age homes, children’s playgrounds and gym and sporting facilities.

Truck tyres are used in the products because of the greater rubber content and lower chemical content. The rubber crumb is produced by sister company, Mathe Group, which recycles radial truck tyres.