From the creation of the company’s first product from cork scrap, sustainability has been woven into Armstrong World Industries’ history. Learn more about our key milestones below.
1860 – Founded as the Armstrong Cork Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, manufacturing bottle stoppers and cork insulation.
1890s – Incorporated in 1891, Armstrong was one of the largest cork suppliers in the world. Thomas Armstrong turned a 65% scrap rate into a new product that absorbs sound, starting our history of embracing the 3Rs— reduce, reuse and recycle.
1920s – Expanded our product line from corks to include ceiling tiles and wallboards. Introduced our first acoustic ceiling tile to reduce noise.
1963 – Introduced suspended ceiling systems.
1970s – Introduced our Mineral Fiber ceiling tiles.
1993 – Becomes a founding member of U.S. Green Building Council.
1999 – Launched the first of its kind Ceilings Recycling Program.
2016 – Launched SUSTAIN®, the industry’s first portfolio of high-performing, sustainable ceiling solutions. AWI and Armstrong Flooring, Inc. separated.
2018 – TECTUM® Wood Fiber Ceiling and Wall Panels, part of our SUSTAIN® product line, becomes the first and only acoustical solution to achieve Living Product Challenge™ Imperative Certification.
2020 – Launched Armstrong’s 2030 Sustainability Goals and expanded Architectural Specialties portfolio with the acquisition of Arktura, MOZ Designs, Inc. and TURF Design, Inc., featuring leaders in architectural specialty metal and felt solutions.
2021 – In partnership with Gensler, opened the Living Lab, exploring ways our ceilings and walls can improve the key elements of Indoor Environmental Quality.
Became a signatory to the UN Global Compact with continued updates through Communication on Progress (CoP) in 2022 and 2023.
2022 – Initiated an innovative partnership with Irving Consumer Products to divert 100% of their fiber by-product waste for use in our production. Validated our target of 30% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions compared with a 2019 baseline, by the SBTi. Recertified our WELL™ Health-Safety Rating for three main buildings on our corporate campus.
2023 – Named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek magazine