Process for manufacturing flooring using recycled materials

A continuous process for manufacturing flooring comprising:

• a. depositing granules on a conveyor belt, wherein the granules comprise recycled polymeric materials;
• b. positioning a fiberglass mat on top of the granules;
• c. applying a first amount of heat and a first amount of pressure to the backing layer so that the granules at least partially soften to bond with the fiberglass mat to form a backing;
• d. applying an adhesive to the backing;
• e. positioning a face cloth on the backing layer and in contact with the adhesive to form a flooring composite;
• and
• f. applying a second amount of heat and a second amount of pressure to the flooring composite to at least partially melt the adhesive to the backing layer and the face cloth, wherein the second amount of heat and the second amount of pressure can be adjusted to differ from the first amount of heat and the first amount of pressure.

A process for manufacturing flooring backing comprising:

• a. depositing granules on a substrate, wherein the granules comprise at least one polymeric material;
• b. positioning a mat in contact with the granules;
• and
• c. applying heat and pressure to the granules and the mat so that the granules at least partially soften to bond with the mat.