Trend Group and Granite Transformations join Kohler to form sustainable partnership

Trend Group, an international manufacturer and distributor of unique mosaic tiles and natural stones headquartered in Vicenza, Italy with production facilities and offices in several countries, along with its subsidiary company, Granite Transformations, has partnered with Kohler Co. to further each company’s eco-friendly mission of keeping unnecessary waste out of landfills. With this collaboration, Kohler Co., a forward-thinking leader in plumbing products, provides pre-consumer porcelain from their bath and sink manufacturing to be re-purposed for the production of Trend’s newest line of exclusive granite surfaces.

This two-year partnership has resulted in the creation of Trend products #1606 and #1607, also referred to as Terra Chiara and Terra di Siena by Granite Transformations. These innovative surfaces feature varying flecks of gold, brown, black and white and are made with up to 51% of Kohler porcelain products, along with recycled glass and granite. Consequently, this cooperative effort has kept nearly one million pounds of porcelain out of landfills so far this year.

The finished product is an incredibly unique and durable surface that is universally appealing and earth-friendly as a versatile option for home and commercial improvement projects. Both surfaces are nonporous, incredibly resistant to stains, scratches and heat because they are fortified with the company’s exclusive ForeverSeal, which helps to ensure the lifetime use of the products.

“Trend Group is proud to partner with Kohler Co., incorporating their unused materials into our exclusive products to create stylish and dependable surfaces for home and commercial building and remodeling projects,” said Mark Johnson, CEO of Trend and Granite Transformations. “This collaboration mirrors our mission to be one of the world’s largest producers of decorative glass and engineered surfaces, using advanced technology to create inspiring surfaces that enable dreams for beautiful and sustainable environments.”

Long before it became fashionable, Trend Group declared a commitment to implementing real-world processes that protect and preserve the planet’s resources. Key to this direction was the belief that great style and beauty did not have to be sacrificed in the pursuit of corporate responsibility. 

Trend products are designed specifically to consume fewer raw materials and to have extended durability. Its innovative engineered surfaces require 60% less raw material and incorporate both geologic waste and recycled glass that would otherwise be in the landfill. More than three million pounds of recycled glass has been repurposed into other products.  Trend’s development of new product lines set an industry benchmark for the use of post-consumer recycled content in agglomerate and glass tile products, reaching levels as high as 78%.

Trend Group’s manufacturing facilities were designed with sophisticated water recycling systems that significantly reduce water consumption and the proliferation of pollutants. The consumption and cost of packaging materials has been reduced through the use of recycled or reusable packaging, and the overall waste produced at the Sebring, Fla., plant has been cut by over 22%. Most of the product lines are created with a low carbon emission manufacturing process using recycled materials whenever possible. This results in a production process, which uses less energy and consumes fewer resources. The recycled glass surfaces are LEED, Greenguard and U.S. Green Building Council certified, which provides the ultimate flooring solution for building owners seeking to reduce their impact on the environment without having to sacrifice beauty or product performance.

Trend collaborates with the world’s leading environmental organizations, architects and designers to promote sustainable building practices, and Trend’s green product lines contribute measurably to LEED ratings based on credits for Material and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design.

This vision is also evident in Trend’s subsidiary Granite Transformations, which is known for its ability to install products over existing surfaces in as little as a day. This unique installation process also eliminates the need for demolition during the remodeling process, keeping unnecessary waste out of landfills.

Granite Transformations is most recognized for its exclusive line of granite surfaces, crafted to be stronger and more durable than traditional granite. In addition, Granite Transformations is also known for its recycled glass product line made with a combination of up to 72% post-consumer recycled material, tempered glass and semi-precious man-made stones. All Granite Transformations products are manufactured by Trend Group.

“We applaud Trend and Granite Transformations for seeking ways to create materials that can sustain the test of time,” said Rob Zimmerman, senior channel manager of sustainability. “Kohler Co.’s alliance with these companies is consistent with our business model to maintain the highest standards of manufacturing products, while being environmentally conscious.”