FAIR

The uniqueness of Marmoleum Cocoa extends far beyond the floor itself. Through our partnership with Kumasi Commodity Innovations, we source cocoa shells in a way that directly benefits cocoa farming communities.

In traditional chocolate production, only the cocoa beans are used, while up to 75% of the fruit is typically discarded. What was once considered waste is now transformed into a valuable resource, providing farmers with additional income from materials that would otherwise go unused.

At the heart of this story is our collaboration with Dutch-founded social enterprise Kumasi Commodity Innovations, transforming an innovative flooring concept into a powerful example of how beauty, sustainability, and purpose come together.

Kumasi’s impact goes even further: they also utilize the juice from the cocoa fruit, another overlooked part of the harvest, to create beverages, unlocking even more value for farmers while reducing waste throughout the supply chain. By sourcing cocoa fruit juice directly from farmers in countries such as Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador, Kumasi enables farmers to earn additional income from the delicious fruit that was previously discarded.

An important element of this collaboration is its commitment to women's empowerment. Through programs connected to the cocoa value chain, Kumasi creates opportunities for women in cocoa-producing regions to build financial independence and strengthen their communities. This commitment is embedded in the partnership: supplying cocoa shells to Forbo Flooring Systems goes hand in hand with supporting these social initiatives.