Sustainability is one of the key topics for Rehau, the German group specialized in the production of edges and polymers for furniture and interior design. With a focus on sustainability, the group has introduced “Raukantex eco.protect“, a range of eco-friendly edging solutions designed for the production of contemporary, “green” furniture.
“The significant evolution of the “Raukantex” family, which underscores the commitment of the Furniture Solutions division to continually improve polymer materials, completes the company’s portfolio with modern solutions based on virtuous production and the recycling of available resources,” Rehau representatives explained.
SUSTAINABILITY AND DESIGN
The “Raukantex eco” and “Raukantex evo” edging lines aim to offer a new dimension in conscious furniture design, striving to achieve the best possible balance between the quality and refined design of traditional polypropylene edges and a production process with minimal environmental impact.
These solutions come in versions with adhesive (“Raukantex pure”) and in zero-joint edge format (“Raukantex pro”).
The eco-friendly “Raukantex eco” edges are made of 50 percent recycled material from post-industrial waste, while the “Raukantex evo” solutions are made entirely from renewable raw materials, thus avoiding additional crude oil demand. This makes it the first line of sustainable Rehau edges verified by Iscc Plus certification, providing traceability assurance throughout the entire value chain.
Additionally, the mass balance of the Raukantex evo edge ensures that no additional crude oil is used in production, nor are valuable agricultural lands exploited for crops specifically grown for polymer production. All this while continuing to meet high customer expectations in terms of aesthetics, workability, and durability, for a coordinated design that complements the “Rauvasio” surface line.
“In developing these solutions, we have managed to maintain the same level of quality, design, and durability as traditional polypropylene edges, along with similar processing methods. Both “Raukantex eco.protect” lines are available in adhesive version “Raukantex pure” and as zero-joint edge “Raukantex pro”, and do not require any changes to machinery settings, which is a significant advantage for our furniture manufacturing partners”, commented Andrea Bucciarelli, Director of Furniture Systems at Rehau. “Sustainability and technology are two deeply rooted themes in our company dna, and they converge in a single direction, leading to extraordinary results”.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES
Embracing the “Raukantex eco.protect” concept, these innovative edging solutions fully represent the group’s long-term sustainable strategy, which involves transitioning from a linear economy to a circular economy through multiple concrete actions: from using formulations free from harmful substances, compliant with RoHS and REACH, to reusing and recycling production and processing waste; from utilizing 100 percent renewable energy sources in all European facilities where Rehau edges are produced, to monitoring the correct application of sustainability principles by their partners during sourcing and production phases, and reducing waste in packaging, which is entirely made from recycled material wherever possible.
“The Rehau Furniture Solutions division is now preparing to take an additional step toward a circular economy through a new recovery concept, which will allow the collection and recycling of unfinished abs and polypropylene edges, including “Raukantex” and, after verification, from other manufacturers, further closing the loop“.
