Circular interiors
Are you interested in circularity for business, and would you like to apply it to the furnishing of your organisation? Ahrend designs new furniture according to circular principles, and we’re keen to talk to you about value retention and the reuse of existing furniture. We have our own specialist team working on furniture refurbishment. Whether you opt for new, reused or a mix of the two, we can take this in hand for your organisation. From payment based on use only, to sophisticated asset management.
A new life
In our Circular Hub in the Netherlands, we have brought together all our circular expertise and production facilities on no less than 12,000 m². Here we give a second life to used furniture: office furniture that Ahrend has purchased or got back from clients. This way, we extend the lifespan of furniture and contribute to the circular economy.
40% - 90%
lower CO2-emissions in comparison with new sustainable furniture
4.000
products are revitalised by us every month
12,000 m2
storage space for revived furniture
Unilever's experience
Our circular specialists ensure that these products can enjoy another long life in a different location. A good example is the Unilever Food Innovation Centre. No less than 95% of the furniture consists of reused products from other Unilever offices.
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New circular designs
Ecodesign
Back in the 90s, Ahrend was involved in the development of Ecodesign, the European guideline for environmentally-friendly product design. New products are always designed in a modular way in accordance with these guidelines, and components and materials are easily separated for recycling and reuse. We looked at a range of furnishing solutions and improved them according to the Ecodesign directive. The A220 office chair from 1994 was one of the first Ecodesign products in the world. Since then, the Ecodesign principles have been a standard feature of our product development.
Cradle-to-cradle
We have also integrated the cradle-to-cradle principle into our product development. Not only do we ensure a reduction in material use, we also look at the quality of the used materials. Ideally, in the Circular Economy you use only good quality, healthy and safe materials.
An independent external party (EPEA) analyses the circular properties of our materials. This is how we know that only safe substances are used at our manufacturing sites: safe for everyone who produces the materials, for our co-workers who work with the materials and also for our customers who use our products. It’s in the interest of everyone’s well-being and that of the environment too.
Examples: Well Armchair and Well Circular Black
The most circular models in the Well Collection are the PET felt Armchair and the Circular Black. The seat of the Circular Black is made of polypropylene: a 100% recycled post-consumer plastic. No concessions have been made in terms of style, comfort or quality.
