Cradle-to-Cradle Akulon for office furniture

DSM Engineering Plastics has commercialized its Cradle-to-Cradle grade of Akulon® polyamide (PA) 6 in office furniture. Akulon K224-G6, is the first and only polyamide certified Cradle-to-Cradle® grade by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC).

Akulon K224-G6 is designed a.o. for office furniture structural components such as chair arms, seats, backs and bases. EPEA, the Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency by Prof. Braungart, has assessed the grade, with focus on the product ingredients’ human and environmental health attributes and their potential to safely cycle in closed loops.

Akulon K224-G6 has already been applied successfully in the chair arms, seats, backs and bases of Giroflex latest generation business chairs. This new 656 generation is its first being Cradle-to-Cradle certified and models comply with stringent conditions - from material purchasing, development and production to recycling.

Speaking for DSM Engineering Plastics, Doug Bosch, Global Segment Manager says: “Many corporations have sustainability programs that encompass a wide array of environmental initiatives, from energy conservation to recycling. One area of focus is replacing traditional office furniture with products having a Cradle-to-Cradle label. As customers demand furniture that contributes to sustainability – for example, by diverting materials from the waste stream – a number of leading furniture manufacturers, such as Herman Miller and Giroflex, are emphasizing Cradle-to-Cradle designs.”

Akulon K224-G6 provides strength, high impact resistance, excellent processing for injection molding. Molded-in color delivers attractive aesthetics without the need for secondary painting that can pose an environmental risk.

Cradle-to-Cradle certification

McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) offers the Cradle-to-Cradle certification, which is based on designs aiming to create truly cyclic flows of materials (nutritients), beneficial to humans and the environment. This well-respected certification helps manufacturers select materials that offer measurable eco benefits.

In addition to certified sustainability, these materials need to deliver acceptable performance and affordability. In office furniture components, these materials must provide impact resistance, strength, attractive aesthetics and cost-effectiveness.

Fredric Petit says: “DSM creates value for its customers by developing low or neutral carbon footprint materials, eliminating hazardous substances, introducing bio-performance polymers for critical technical applications and supporting recycling with the ultimate goal to achieve closed loops Cradle-to-Cradle solutions.”

DSM supports recycling with the ultimate goal to achieve closed loops systems. DSM Engineering Plastics currently has five materials with the Cradle-to-Cradle certificate.

• Akulon® K224-G6 - 30% glass filled polyamide 6 resin

• Arnitel® EM400 - unfilled thermoplastic copolyester resin

• Arnitel® XG - unfilled halogen free flame retardant thermoplastic copolyester resin

• Arnite® T-XG510 - halogen free flame retardant PBT resin

• EcoPaXX™ UF - unfilled 70% bio-based polyamide 4.10 resin