Robert Walsh, founder of Karta – part of the Ted Todd family – a hardwood flooring specialist, talks about raising the bar for eco-friendly, innovative flooring solutions with its Recycled Leather Series.
“At Karta, we’re always looking for ways to push sustainability forward, and that’s exactly what inspired our Recycled Leather Series,” Robert said. “By transforming discarded leather offcuts from the footwear industry, we were able to create a beautiful natural plastic free and toxin free flooring option. This series offers the best of both worlds: impressive durability and eye-catching design. It builds on Karta’s reputation for hyper-realistic wood flooring as we’ve carefully crafted this series for architects, developers, and contractors who care deeply about sustainability but don’t want to sacrifice style or performance.”
The Recycled Leather Series is made by giving discarded leather offcuts a new lease of life by processing and assembling them into a multi-layered construction. This features a biodegradable wood fibre core, a cork backing that enhances comfort and provides acoustic insulation, and a wood fibre stabilising layer for added strength. “The structure is then topped with a digitally printed, ultra-realistic wood design created using biodegradable inks,” Robert continues. “To protect it all, we apply Karta’s signature water-resistant coating, resulting in an AC5-rated surface that’s tough enough for both homes and busy commercial spaces. The result is a beautifully made, highly durable floor that balances high performance with a strong commitment to the environment, making it the perfect choice for a wide range of interiors.”
Furthermore, the Recycled Leather Series offers an extensive palette of 18 unique shades, from natural tones like French oak to more distinctive, reclaimed and aged finishes. “This series is designed to suit a wide variety of design visions,” Robert added. “There are also no visible pattern repeats across 20 boards!”
Another key aspect of the series is Karta’s sustainable focus through several key innovations. Robert explains: “By using recycled leather offcuts and biodegradable materials, we are able to dramatically reduce waste and resource consumption compared to traditional flooring. Our integrated cork backing and click system means there’s no need for adhesives or underlay, cutting down on both installation materials and environmental impact.
“Additionally, the use of digitally printed wood designs delivers the authentic look of real wood with enhanced consistency and availability. Together, these features create a flooring solution that combines sustainability, high performance, and efficiency, setting a new standard in eco-conscious flooring design.
“As the industry moves away from synthetic, plastic-heavy materials like vinyl and LVT, we’re seeing a clear and exciting shift toward flooring solutions that blend environmental responsibility with uncompromising design. At Karta, we believe the future of flooring and interior design lies in the innovative use of natural, reclaimed and recycled materials.
“Looking ahead, we see interior design increasingly focusing on longevity, wellness, and planet-first thinking, with recycled materials playing a central role. We’re proud to be part of shaping a future that’s not only sustainable, but truly extraordinary.”
