4/11/2011 Mosa now Cradle to Cradle® organisation

Royal Mosa in Maastricht is taking the Cradle to Cradle philosophy to the next level. Mosa already produces 99% of its tiles with a Cradle to Cradle Silver certificate, but Mosa is now taking another big step. By signing a Cradle to Cradle organisational charter, Mosa is being designated as a Cradle to Cradle organisation, an award only given to companies making an exceptional contribution to the ongoing pursuit of the Cradle to Cradle philosophy in their operations.

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Mosa now Cradle to Cradle® organisation

Mosa signs organisational charter with Michael Braungart

MAASTRICHT - Royal Mosa in Maastricht is taking the Cradle to Cradle philosophy to the next level. Mosa already produces 99% of its tiles with a Cradle to Cradle Silver certificate, but Mosa is now taking another big step. By signing a Cradle to Cradle organisational charter, Mosa is being designated as a Cradle to Cradle organisation, an award only given to companies making an exceptional contribution to the ongoing pursuit of the Cradle to Cradle philosophy in their operations. There are only 12 such companies in the world, and of these, Mosa is the only tile manufacturer.

Cradle to Cradle is an innovative, positive and total approach to sustainability not based on reduction but on unlimited reuse of raw materials: “waste is food”. The Cradle to Cradle philosophy is based on five central tenets: raw materials, recycling potential, energy consumption, water management and working conditions. A brief history of Mosa and Cradle to Cradle:

December 2009 – Mosa receives its first Cradle to Cradle certificates
After a two-year intensive R&D programme, Mosa is awarded the first ever Cradle to Cradle certificates for tiles. In cooperation with the EPEA, the knowledge institution headed by Prof. Michael Braungart, all raw materials, suppliers, production processes and products are reviewed. Non-sustainable raw materials are replaced, and the sustainability of the locations from which they are extracted is ascertained. Mosa has adapted its production processes to be able to produce the same attractive, quality tiles with a high recycled-materials content. Mosa is granted the Basic certificate for the entire collection of unglazed floor tiles, and even obtains the silver certificate for its collection of glossy wall tiles. Winning these certificates is not an end unto itself, but the start of further investments in sustainability and optimisation of products and processes.

December 2010 - 99% of all Mosa tiles receive Silver certificate
In cooperation with knowledge institute EPEA, Mosa once again takes a number of steps to improve its tiles and production processes. Energy savings and reduction of CO2 emissions remain a key focus area. In 2010, even more raw materials are replaced with Cradle to Cradle raw materials, earning a Cradle to Cradle Silver certificate for 99% of the Mosa tile collection. Other breakthroughs are made in the area of recycling tiles. Mosa is also actively involved in researching tile waste. After the closed material recycling cycle, in which all pre-consumer waste is reintroduced into the production process, Mosa now takes another step forward. In the preceding year, Mosa has succeeded in completely closing the process water cycle. Along with the product innovations and new tile designs, Mosa continues to invest in cleaner and more efficient production solutions.

February 2011 - Mosa designated as Cradle to Cradle organisation
After signing the Cradle to Cradle organisational charter, Mosa becomes the first ceramic tile factory in the world to earn the title of Cradle to Cradle organisation. But Mosa’s work does not end here. On the contrary, Mosa sees Cradle to Cradle as an incentive for further innovation in the development of ceramics systems. This designation is a testament to the fact that in the coming years, Mosa will further dedicate itself to continued implementation of Cradle to Cradle in products and processes throughout the business. Starting in 2011, sustainable production is also codified in the Mosa mission statement.

Mosa organises new Cradle to Cradle cafes
With selected partners, Mosa will be continuing to organise new Cradle to Cradle cafes in 2011. Cradle to Cradle cafes are mini-seminars in which a variety of inspiring speakers discuss current and varied subjects relating to the Cradle to Cradle philosophy. The Cradle to Cradle cafes of the past year were very successful and generated a great deal of interest. The new C2C cafes will be held in a number of different locations in the Netherlands and Belgium. For more information, see: www.linkedin.com/groups/Cradle-Cradle-café-3709080