IKEA Launches Sustainable Kitchen
Wed Feb 01 2017
IKEA has just announced the launch of KUNGSBACKA, its first kitchen front made of recycled plastic bottles and wood. The sustainable kitchen is part of IKEA’s ambitious plan to increase the amount of recycled materials used in its product ranges and to reduce the company’s environmental footprint.
“What we do at IKEA has a big impact on the environment because we work with such large quantities. By using recycled materials, we can produce our product ranges much more sustainably,” says Anna Granath, Product Developer at IKEA.
Anna led the team that developed the KUNGSBACKA range with an innovative Italian IKEA supplier, 3B. The team investigated a number of different recycled materials to see what was best suited to kitchen fronts. Their research resulted in the creation of a new product on the market – a plastic foil made from discarded PET-bottles collected by Japanese municipalities.
Leandro Godoy, IKEA Dublin Kitchens Manager said, “We are delighted to supply the KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts here in Dublin. Our customers now have the option of bringing sustainable living into their kitchen, without compromising on design. The Italian crafted kitchen fronts are giving old bottles a second life in busy Irish kitchens and we will look forward to continuing to supply customers with sustainable products going forward.”
Leandro continued saying, “We are constantly adapting to our customers changing needs. Along with the KUNGSBACKA range, our Kitchens Team is also launching a brand new home planning service. IKEA kitchen designers will now visit customers’ homes to help them to measure and design the perfect kitchen for their everyday needs. Kitchens play such an important role in Irish homes, and we are really recognising this with our new offerings.”
The launch of IKEA’s first sustainable kitchen fronts is an important step on its journey towards a more circular business. IKEA has made a commitment to use only plastic from recycled and/or renewable sources for all plastic products by 2020.
Speaking about IKEA’s sustainability goals, Anna Granath said “We need to become better at using the planet’s resources in a smart way. Our ambition is to increase the share of recycled materials in our products. We are looking into new ways to re-use materials, such as paper, fibre, foam and plastic, so that we can give them a new life in a new product.”
KUNGSBACKA not only gives recycled plastic bottles and recycled wood a new life, but a considerably longer life.Like all IKEA kitchen fronts, KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts have a 25 year guarantee. The kitchen fronts are compatible with METOD kitchen cabinets.
The KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts are available in IKEA Dublin from 1st February 2017.
