Time-honored tradition with a sustainable twist
The color red has stood for exclusivity for over 2,500 years. Even in the days of Ancient Greece, red was the most valuable of all tints, with a particular species of snail used to extract precious red dyes. Heroes and dignitaries wore it as a mark of honor. In 2025, international stars like Tilda Swinton and Timothée Chalamet will be setting foot on the famous carpet at the Berlin International Film Festival. But this year, this traditional symbol of glamor has been given a modern makeover: To mark the 75th anniversary of the Berlinale, OBJECT CARPET, the premium manufacturer of recyclable floor coverings, will once again be creating a sustainable sensation. The iconic carpet rolled out over almost 400 square meters in front of the “Theater am Potsdamer Platz,” along with the 600-square-meter one reserved for the press conference and photo calls at the Hyatt hotel, will be resplendent in sophisticated – yet sustainable – elegance, thanks to the revolutionary DUO technology. But how can a red carpet be turned “green”?
A masterpiece in recycling, made in Germany
Developed in Denkendorf near Stuttgart and produced in Krefeld, the Berlinale carpet from OBJECT CARPET is a prime example of environmentally conscious design. Rather than including an average of 30 materials, all difficult to separate and sort, DUO consists of just two components: polyester and polyamide. Paring down the materials to these basic essentials not only makes recycling easier, but also sets a new standard in terms of sustainable production and makes the carpet fully recyclable. And the end of its life cycle, every part of it can be reused – without compromising on quality. DUO is really raising the bar in eco-friendly manufacturing: It is made using 95% less energy than conventional processes, with no wasted water, a 50% reduction in weight to help bring down CO² emissions from transport, and incorporating ECONYL® yarn made from recycled raw materials such as fishing nets and industrial waste. By adopting this approach, OBJECT CARPET is playing an active part in reducing environmental impact – including in high-end settings like the Berlinale.
This floor covering is not only sustainable, but impressively durable too. During the ten-day film festival, it will get trodden on by some 100,000 visitors in anything from high heels to shoes smudged with snow. Yet its toughness speaks for itself: Whereas the Berlinale red carpet used to need replacing around half way through, now it can last the course and much of it can even be reused in the following years.
Ready for the future: fast-track ecodesign
The Berlinale carpet in the special color “traffic red” is as groundbreaking in terms of sustainability as it is in durability. “With our MONO and DUO carpets, we are meeting all the criteria for design with recycling in mind and are already implementing the key requirements of the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR),” explains Daniel Butz, Managing Director of OBJECT CARPET.
The European Union’s new ESPR rules came into force in July 2024, calling on manufacturers to gradually bring in sustainable production methods that take the entire product life cycle into account – from manufacturing right through to recycling. OBJECT CARPET is leading the way in this respect: Even now, the Berlinale carpet offers proof of how products like these can be made in a way that is not only energy-efficient, but also uses resources sparingly and enables full recyclability. By pioneering this approach, the premium manufacturer is playing a crucial role in reducing environmental impact – not just for the red carpet itself, but as an example to the industry as a whole.
A vision for the future: sustainability as standard and collector’s pieces
For anyone who would love to take a little piece of this contemporary “green” carpet home for themselves, there’s some good news for you: A small and strictly limited edition of high-quality mats have been made out of remnants from previous years’ Berlinale red carpets. Last year, this exclusive edition proved hugely popular with movie fans and collectors keen to add a touch of eco-conscious glamor to their own homes and sold out within a day. OBJECT CARPET has a clear vision in its sights: It is aiming to make the majority of its product range fully recyclable by the end of 2026 – an ambitious goal marking a step toward a more sustainable future. But for anyone who would love to take a little piece of this contemporary “green” carpet home for themselves, there’s some good news for you: A small and strictly limited edition of high-quality mats have been made out of remnants from previous years’ Berlinale red carpets. These exclusive items, which combine sustainability with a piece of film festival history, are available exclusively from the store “Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus” – and you’d better hurry: Last year, the entire edition sold out within a day. What a treat for movie fans and collectors keen to add unique touch of eco-conscious glamor to their own homes!
Changing history: rolling out the red carpet for a new sustainable era in glamor
Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, the DUO carpet is now not only more sustainable than ever, but more fit for the future too. With its emphasis on durability and recyclability, it redefines the traditional concept of glamor as a new kind of responsible luxury. And who knows? Maybe one day recycled pieces of old Berlinale carpets will make another star appearance in red carpets in Berlin, Hollywood, or at other world-famous film festivals? No one would notice the difference – except perhaps the groundbreaking difference in environmental impact. The Berlinale 2025 proves that Berlin is not just a place for showcasing international movie stardom, but also a stage for presenting pioneering visions. The new standard set here will have an impact far beyond the ten days of the film festival, setting an example for prestigious events across the globe. This carpet is where tradition and the future meet, making history and changing it for the better.
This symbol of exclusivity dating back to ancient Greece is now being redefined and the Berlinale 2025 offers an impressive demonstration of how tradition and innovation can go hand in hand. The red carpet therefore represents a vision that will resonate far beyond these ten special days – a vision of glamor that does not shy away from responsibility, and of ecodesign that will shape the future.
