Aluminum extrusion is at the core of several furniture designs — including lamps, vases, chairs, coat stands, shelving systems, and room partitions — presented at Milan Design Week, going on this week (April 16–21) in Italy. These beautiful, anodized designs were part of a challenge that Hydro presented to seven world renowned designers. Each of the designers developed their furniture design using Hydro CIRCAL 100R aluminum made entirely from recycled post-consumer scrap on an industrial scale.
Industrial designers are important influencers of material selection in all industries. Hydro has a long history of collaborating with designers to explore the potential of aluminum in design elements. For the 100R exhibition, Hydro’s experts have worked closely with selected designers, from the initial design idea to the final prototypes.
“Why does an aluminum and renewable energy company like Hydro work with designers? Because we believe in the power of partnerships,” said Trond Olaf Christophersen, executive vice president Corporate Development and acting CFO in Hydro. “By working with leading designers, we want to challenge the way things are made and pull the industry in a greener direction by getting more manufacturers to understand how to select materials based on sustainability aspects.”
More than 10 million tonnes of furniture are thrown away in Europe every year, of which only 10% is recycled. This means designers have a powerful role to play in accelerating the green transition, as up to 80% of a product’s environmental impact is decided at the drawing board — with material selection and how the product is designed being deciding factors in whether it can easily be recycled after use. Access to low-carbon, recycled materials is crucial to lower the footprint of furniture.
“We are moving towards a future where utilizing materials already in circulation is imperative for sustainable living and manufacturing. Through uniting with designers, we want to show how scrap can be turned into pristine looking design objects, ready for mass production, while paving the way for the green transition,” says Asle Forsbak, 100R project lead and Marketing & Communication Director at Hydro Extrusions.
Aluminum’s footprint can vary dramatically depending on production methods. By recycling post-consumer scrap — which is aluminum that has lived a life as an old window frame, a used car part, or other product — the material is able to achieve a very low carbon footprint. Hydro CIRCAL recycled aluminum is generally made available with 75% post-consumer scrap (known as 75R) and with 100% post-consumer scrap (100R) available in limited amounts. CIRCAL 100R has a carbon footprint below 0.5 kg CO2/kg AL p, 33 times lower than the global average.
Recycling is the fastest way towards Hydro’s goal of delivering zero-carbon aluminum and growth in recycling is a key part of the company’s 2030 strategy. With a growing demand for low-carbon, recycled products, Hydro works closely with its customers to create recycled solutions that comply with their product specifications. This unlocks the potential for more use of recycled materials in new segments, such as transportation, renewable energy infrastructure, and consumer durable goods.