Sustainable use of materials by Gispen

Gispen moodboards of sustaianable materialsV2

Responsible materials

The materials we choose have a significant impact on the environmental footprint of an interior. That’s why, for every product we design and manufacture, we take a critical look at where materials come from, what they are made of, how long they last and how easily they can be reused.

Wherever possible, we choose materials with a lower environmental impact, such as recycled, reused or renewable materials. We also design our furniture so that components are easy to maintain, replace and separate. This makes it easier to repair, refurbish or reuse furniture when it comes back to us.

If the complete product can no longer be reused, we recover suitable components and give them a new life in other furniture.

Standard materialisation - Sample card

COLOR PALETTE

We ontwikkelden een eigen kleurenpalet dat aansluit bij onze rijke historie én dat het mogelijk maakt om al onze meubellijnen met elkaar te combineren. Circulair gezien is dat extra interessant. Door synergie in de kleuren aan te brengen, zijn producten nog makkelijker retour te nemen om vervolgens te hergebruiken binnen een onderwijs-, zorg- of kantooromgeving. Gispen biedt u stalen samples om keuzes te maken voor de kleuren van bijvoorbeeld lakken, bladen en kunststof binnen een project. Deze kunt u aanvragen via ons contactformulier.

Our colour samples

FABRICS

Our fabrics are carefully selected based on performance, versatility, aesthetics, and environmental impact. We critically examine the production process and the composition of the fabrics. We aim for fabrics made from monomaterials and recycled or renewable materials. We encourage clients, where possible, to make sustainable fabric choices.

Our fabrics

Royal Ahrend sustainable red and blue fabric selection with hands front top view

MORE SUSTAINABLE BY THE DAY

The search for sustainable alternatives is a continuous process. Sustainability is at the back of the minds of all our employees, with every choice they make. From the design of a new product to production. For example, we use cradle-to-cradle certified lacquer for all our table and chair frames and sheet material made of recycled chipboard for all our table programmes. We are also constantly working on increasingly sustainable solutions in other areas. From packaging materials to smart logistics and maintenance. A few examples:

Gispen TMNL 7 single workstations in different colours in front of marble backpanel right side view

TMNL MODULAR DESK SYSTEM

CHIPBOARD

Gispen has been taking back used tabletops for many years; which we send to our partner Pfleiderer. They turn these items into new sheet material, which we then turn into new tabletops. Tabletops that are made of 100% recycled wood, fully closing this material loop!

REVIVED tabletop

A Revived tabletop is an innovative, circular choice for a Gispen TMNL table or desk. It combines a robust material with a long lifespan while reducing environmental impact.

Compact has long been widely used as a material for tabletops. These tabletops can last for up to 30 years, yet in practice they are replaced after an average of just 10 years. As a result, valuable material is lost.

Every year, our Circular Hub receives around 5,000 used Compact tabletops. An external processing partner refurbishes them with a new top layer, preparing the Revived tabletops for their next lifecycle. This process reduces their carbon footprint by around 95%. By repeating the process, we retain the material’s value across multiple lifecycles.

Gispen TMNL workstation in green and Revived tabletop with Black Dombo cup front right detail view

Gispen oak tabletop with cutout showing Greengridz interior front top left detail view

Lightweight tabletop

Looking to reduce your carbon footprint even further? Choose a circular tabletop from Greengridz®. Strong yet lightweight, it is ideal for desks and meeting tables from the TMNL collection. Its low weight also makes it easy to install.

The tabletop features a grid structure made from HDF panels using sustainably sourced, certified wood. The panels are CARB2-certified and formaldehyde-free, and are bonded using environmentally friendly PVAc D3 adhesive. On average, the tabletop is up to 60% lighter than an MFC tabletop.* This reduces the environmental impact of transportation and lowers CO₂ emissions during production and at the end of its lifespan.

PAINT

We have made good progress when it comes to our paint solutions:

Our powder coating is totally free of toxic substances and our paint process is very sustainable: while powder coating, we collect and recover all residual powder. You cannot reuse the material infinitely, however, because the particles become too small in the end. Instead of discarding the material, we give it to an adhesive manufacturer that can use it in its production process.

Gispen has a selection of Cradle 2 Cradle certified paint colours in black, white and aluminium. We currently in the process of getting all our paints by the C2C recipe.

No Waste Powdercoating

Opt for the No Waste Powdercoating, made from derived powder coating from our own production. This way we reduce waste and with chosing this option you will help our 'no waste' production (available colors of the powder coating on request).

Gispen Nomi Classic chair with black frame and recycled shell front view

RECYCLING PLASTIC

The seat of our sustainable NOMI chair is unique in both its structure and composition: it is made of 90% recycled materials. The remaining 10% consists of a new thermoplastic polymer. This material is highly UV resistant and is easy to clean. The seats are manufactured through 'co-injection' technology.

A fabric cover can be added to NOMI chairs for extra comfort. It will come as no surprise that we offer sustainable fabrics from suppliers that base their products on hemp and recycled plastic.

NEW CIRCULAR FURNITURE

We develop new products according to the latest insights in sustainability and the principles of the Circular Economy. It all starts on the drawing board, with a solid and well-thought-out design.

refurbishment

Does your current furniture no longer meet your expectations? Then we can refurbish it, or revitalize it. Think of reupholstering chairs, replacing damaged desktops or giving furniture another improvement. The furniture is then called REVIVED. We have brought all facilities, professionals and storage space together in the Circular Hub. This allows us to provide you with even faster and more targeted services in the circular field.

Refurbishment & Circular Hub