Interface, which is famous for its corporate belief that the principles of environmental sustainability should be built into business planning, welcomed the Gillard government restructure as "a logical step for the future of Australian business".

In a statement it said: "Interface believes that the joining of industrial and climate responsibilities under one department has the potential to transform the broader business community, by helping to change attitudes about the increasing responsibility for business to think more sustainably".

Interface Australia’s factory in Picton, NSW burned to the ground in July last year.

It is building a new plant in Minto, NSW that it says will be one of the cleanest and greenest manufacturing sites in the country, producing almost zero water effluent and having the lowest carbon footprint of any comparable manufacturing facility.

Given the multinational's overarching business philosophy includes a goal called Mission Zero – to eliminate any negative impact the business may have on the environment by 2020 – it is a claim with considerable weight behind it.

Interface also designed the factory to ensure sufficient profitability to manufacture in Australia. It will open in September.