9 December 2025 - Sustainability

modulyss Sets Industry First with Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold Version 4.0

modulyss has officially become the first flooring brand to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certified® Full Scope Gold under version 4.0. This milestone reflects years of work across design, manufacturing and supply chain teams, and it sets a new benchmark for sustainable flooring without compromising on performance, aesthetics or integrity.

At a time when circular design is gaining urgency across industries, this certification shows what’s possible when a company embeds sustainability into every stage of its process.

A Certification That Looks at the Whole Picture

Cradle to Cradle Certified® is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous sustainability certifications available. It doesn’t just look at one issue like carbon or recycled content. It evaluates products across five performance categories: material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness.

“Sustainability for us is about more than materials,” says Tine Pieters, Sustainability Manager at Belysse. “It’s about how we source, how we design, how we manufacture and how we treat the people involved at every stage of the value chain. This certification shows we’re taking responsibility for all of that.”

Raising the Bar with Version 4.0

Achieving Gold under version 4.0 required a step-change in how modulyss works. The updated standard introduces tougher requirements across all performance categories, including stricter chemical screening, more robust recyclability targets, and broader social criteria.

“The v4.0 Gold certification not only recognizes our current sustainability performance but also provides a structured roadmap for continuous improvement,” says Pieters. “The certification identifies key areas where we must maintain focus, while its progressively stringent criteria encourages us to innovate further and plan ahead in sustainable product design.”

That sense of momentum is core to the Cradle to Cradle approach and to modulyss’ way of working. It’s not about achieving a static label, it’s about setting a framework that pushes the company forward.

“One of the biggest challenges was working with our suppliers to meet the new standard,” Pieters explains. “We had to collect detailed data and prove not only our own compliance, but that our partners are also operating with transparency and responsibility. It required close collaboration and a lot of coordination, but it was worth it.”

Discover modulyss' Cradle to Cradle Certified® collections

Verified Impact, Recognised Across Frameworks

The certification isn’t just a mark of internal progress; it also enhances alignment with global sustainability standards. Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold supports ESG reporting and contributes points for leading green building frameworks such as LEED, WELL and BREEAM.

“Cradle to Cradle Gold version 4.0 provides third-party verified evidence of responsible environmental and social performance requirements that are also embedded in green building certifications and ESG frameworks. It gives our clients the confidence that the materials they’re specifying are not only high quality and beautiful, but also safe, circular and fairly made,” says Pieters. “That’s becoming more important than ever.”

Supporting Belysse’s Science-Based Targets

modulyss’ achievement fits directly into Belysse’s long-term climate strategy. The company is targeting a 42% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and a 25% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030, relative to 2023 levels.

Cradle to Cradle Certified® standards include requirements for the use of renewable electricity and cleaner production methods, which directly support our Scope 1 and 2 reduction targets.

“More than 90% of our emissions fall under Scope 3,” Pieters explains. “Cradle to Cradle helps us tackle that by encouraging choices that lower the carbon footprint of purchased goods and improve end-of-life outcomes. For example, using bio-based or recycled content, and designing for high-value recycling.”

Learn more about our SBTi targets

Circular Design Starts from Day One

Circularity at modulyss is more than a buzzword, it’s built into the DNA of every product. Before anything is made, our R&D team explores how to reduce material use, incorporate more sustainable inputs, and ensure each component can be reused or recycled without quality loss.

“modulyss is driven by an intrinsic commitment to upholding the highest standards of sustainability. This recognition inspires us to continue striving for excellence and to seek new opportunities for improvement. As the market continues to evolve and place greater emphasis on sustainability, we remain dedicated to staying ahead of these expectations and leading by example. This certification confirms that we’re not just talking about circularity. We’re making it happen in practice,” says Pieters. “We’re closing loops and building systems that keep resources in use, at their highest value, for as long as possible.”

Leading by Example

modulyss may be the first soft flooring brand to achieve this level of certification, but it sees the achievement as a starting point, not a finish line.

“We’re proud to be first, but we don’t want to be the only ones,” says Pieters. “We hope this inspires others in the industry to take similar steps. We’re all facing the same challenges, and we all have a role to play in creating more responsible ways of working.”

Cradle to Cradle Certified® Full Scope Gold under version 4.0 proves that flooring can be bold, circular and future-focused without compromising on performance or design. It’s the latest step in modulyss’ journey. And a sign of where Belysse is heading.

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