Savo Sitdowns is a new interview series dedicated to exploring collaborations in the world of ergonomics, design, and workspace seating. Through this platform, we’re bringing together industry leaders from various fields to delve into the minutiae of modern office seating. Each conversation provides valuable insights into the future of seating solutions and their impact on well-being and productivity.

For Stockholm-based design studio Form Us With Love, boundaries exist only to be pushed. Known for its innovative, collaborative approach to product and furniture design, the studio has built its reputation on blending functionality with a modern aesthetic, putting sustainability and user-centricrity at the core. Form Us With Love’s award-winning collaboration with Savo – the Savo Spine chair – is no exception.

In this latest edition of Savo Sitdowns, Savo CEO Craig Howarth sits down with Jonas Pettersson, co-founder and design strategist at Form Us With Love. Jonas plays a key role in shaping the studio’s creative vision, working closely with partners and challenging the limits of conventional design without losing sight of real-world appeal.

Together, they discuss the inspiration behind Savo Spine, the balance between creativity and practicality, and how to design for the unknown.

C.H. Jonas, thanks so much for having us here today and for taking the time to sit down with us. I remember first meeting you at your old studio before you moved into this incredible space.

J.L. That was a great space. This new space is a much better fit for how we work. It’s flexible, and having the workshop on the same floor instead of in a basement makes a huge difference. Now, we can see each other, collaborate more easily, and be more hands-on with prototyping.

C.H. And that adds value not just for you, but also for your partners and collaborators. You’ve used the space in such interesting ways, like during Stockholm Design Week. That ties back to one of your guiding principles, where you talk about design as a way to improve life – not just through products but also through spaces.

J.L. Exactly.

C.H. Speaking of workspaces, how does your team work? You’ve talked about values being at the core of Form Us With Love. How does that influence your approach to modern ways of working?

J.L. We’ve always been focused on defining how we want to work, rather than just what we do. If we’re all passionate about what we’re doing, everything becomes easier. Collaboration isn’t something we need to talk about – it’s just how we work. When you’re aligned on vision and purpose, the inevitable challenges that come with long projects – sometimes spanning one or two years – become much easier to navigate.

C.H. That’s an interesting perspective, especially as workspaces continue to evolve. Today, 44% of people globally work remotely either full-time or part-time, compared to just 15% in 2019. COVID accelerated that shift, but it also raised some key challenges.

Collaboration is one of them. It’s hard to be creative in isolation. At the same time, this shift impacts product design. During 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, we ran an interactive session where people shared their vision for the future of work chairs. The biggest themes that emerged were longevity and modularity.

Savo Spine captures modularity beautifully, but before we get into the product itself, how do you approach product design in today’s changing workspace?

J.L. We don’t know what’s going to happen – but from the outset, we acknowledged that uncertainty. Instead of designing for a fixed future, we focused on adaptability – not just by creating a flexible product, but by developing a platform.

This concept isn’t new in the furniture industry – the car industry has been doing it for decades. But it makes sense for certain types of products.

Industrialisation plays a key role. We’ve never had access to such advanced technology and production methods, and as industrial designers, our responsibility is to use these resources to create high-quality, efficient products that meet real needs.

At the same time, we’ve never had so many people on the planet, all with different needs, preferences, and expectations. Platforms help by allowing for customisation, updates, and repairs – so instead of discarding a product when something small needs to change, you can update or replace specific parts. Too many products today are designed to be disposable, but they don’t have to be.

C.H. When we started the Savo Spine project, our starting point – how do we build something modular and adaptable? While the Savo Spine chair itself emerged from that idea, the entire design philosophy also took shape around it.

Layer-by-layer design is a fundamental part of Savo – innovation and inspiration are deeply connected to the brand, and that’s reflected in Spine. It’s a platform-based chair, which is what makes it so unique. How did you approach the design, and what was the thinking behind it?

J.L. When we take on a new collaboration, the setup is critical. How do we frame the brief? How do we challenge it?

If you look at task chairs in general, they already do a fantastic job in terms of ergonomics. They’re designed to support people who work eight hours a day, five days a week, year after year. We asked ourselves: Do we need another chair that does exactly that? Or could we take a different approach?

Instead of designing a chair meant for prolonged use at a single workstation, we envisioned one that adapts to a more dynamic work environment. Maybe you sit in it for an hour, comfortably doing focused work. Then you grab a coffee, join a meeting, and someone else takes the chair – without having to readjust everything. That was the starting point for Spine.
Once we had that vision, we could refine the shape and functionality. But the fundamental idea was clear from the beginning.

C.H. Absolutely. Now, two years since launch, what stands out about the feedback we’ve received is how instantly recognisable Spine is – especially its backrest. The visible spine structure is not just a design signature; it also plays a key role in the chair’s modularity.

Looking ahead, how do you see the future of workspace seating? You’re exposed to so much in the market – where do you think things are headed?

J.L. That’s the beauty of a platform approach. Before creating something entirely new, we should ask: What have we learned? What small but meaningful improvements can we make? Are there updates that would enhance the platform without reinventing it? We’ve already heard a lot from the market, and that feedback can guide the next iterations.

Beyond that, I think the approach we took with Spine – designing for flexibility – has only become more relevant. The question now is: Can we push that even further?

C.H. From everything we’ve discussed today about the design process, is there anything we haven’t touched on? Any key aspects of the project or its future development that we should mention?

J.L. One thing worth emphasising is that when you design a completely new product from scratch, all resources go into that. With a platform approach, you can refine specific aspects over time, making targeted improvements rather than starting over. That’s not just beneficial from a sustainability standpoint – extending a product’s lifecycle – it also changes how we work creatively. Instead of seeing a project as start to finish, we can continuously revisit and evolve it.

That’s what makes Spine special. The concept of flexibility isn’t just about how the chair fits into a space – it’s built into its very construction. Users can configure it to suit their needs, whether that’s through different seat options, backrest styles, or spine heights.

C.H. And of course, it had to be intuitive.

J.L. Exactly. A great product shouldn’t require a manual. We wanted Spine to be as intuitive as opening a door – it should just make sense.

C.H. That simplicity is crucial. If a work chair is overly complex, most users won’t take full advantage of its adjustments.

J.L. Right. That’s why Spine is designed to be flexible but also effortless to use. It’s about giving people exactly what they need – no more, no less.

J.L. And especially now, when you share your products, it’s not just your chair. They float around – I move from one room to another, and the next day, I might have a different seat. So you can’t really have personalis

C.H. And on that note, if we look at this model here, this specific detail – if I remember correctly – the spine itself was one of the bigger challenges in the production of the chair. How should it be designed? How do we ensure it’s strong and secure enough to hold the back and headrest in place, while also making it intuitive and easy to use?

J.L. Yeah. And I hope that resonates when you use the product. The difference between making a single prototype and moving into production is huge, but we were able to create 10, 20, 30 different versions to refine it until we felt it was right.

C.H. It’s easy to keep reusing successful ideas in the design industry – it feels like a simple shortcut. But the Form Us With Love team always seems to find a way to push in a new direction rather than just following trends. How do you guys manage to consistently push innovation forward?

J.L. That’s just how we’ve always worked. From the start, we’ve asked ourselves, ‘How can we take a different angle on this? How can we push it further?’ I think that’s fundamental for any creative person.

C.H. Would you say that collaboration plays a big role in that? You have this team of creatives constantly bouncing ideas off each other.

J.L. Exactly. And what’s even more interesting is how much we can push it. It’s like a rubber band – you don’t know when it will snap. If it does, you’ve pushed too far. It’s like creating a concept car that’s never meant for mass production. That’s not what we do. We focus on pushing the limits within real production constraints. Sometimes, the innovation is subtle; other times, we can push further.

C.H. Well, I think that’s a great note to end on. Thanks for the chat, Jonas. You’ve been a fantastic guest.

J.L. Thanks for being an amazing interviewer.

This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

In summary:

Supporting your body at work isn’t about choosing between sitting or standing – it’s about introducing movement and variability throughout the day.

A well-designed workspace encourages regular shifts in posture, helping to reduce strain and promote long-term comfort and wellbeing.

Savo Sitdowns is a new interview series dedicated to exploring collaborations in the world of ergonomics, design, and workspace seating. Through this platform, we’re bringing together industry leaders from various fields to delve into the minutiae of modern office seating. Each conversation provides valuable insights into the future of seating solutions and their impact on well-being and productivity.

As Savo’s long-time collaborator and friend, it felt only natural to start the series by sitting down with lauded industrial designer Olle Lundberg. The visionary founder of LundbergDesign, a Stockholm-based studio known for its timeless and forward-thinking approach to industrial and product design, Olle is highly regarded for his expertise in ergonomics and human-centric solutions.

Over the course of his 35 year career, Olle has pioneered future-forward, user-centred design innovations across various industries and played a pivotal role in designing several of Savo’s key products, including the Savo 360 and Savo Soul chairs.

In this conversation, Olle and Savo’s CEO Craig Howarth explore the future of office seating, the evolving role of ergonomics in design, and how innovation is central in creating intuitive, sustainable solutions that stand the test of time.

C.H. Olle, thanks for taking part in this first Savo Sitdown. It felt only natural to start with you as a longtime collaborator. Your design expertise spans multiple industries, from office seating to transportation. How has your work designing train compartments influenced your approach to other projects?

O.L. Right now, we’re working on a long-distance train for Norway, as well as a few other projects here in Sweden. You learn a lot about human behaviour – how people interact with products, how to introduce new materials and comply with sustainability regulations. We apply that knowledge to other projects as well.

C.H. Speaking of train compartments and human-centric design, I see a connection to the office chairs you’ve designed for Savo. Looking at Savo Soul, it’s hard to believe it’s been on the market for over ten years. The chair is arguably the most personal part of an office space – it’s what your body has the most contact with. Would you say that’s where the transferable design insights from train seating come in?

O.L. Yes, in many ways. While the purpose is different – a train passenger wants a comfortable journey from A to B – the seat remains one of the most critical aspects of their experience.

C.H. I remember the design brief for Savo Soul. The idea was to create a chair that met all the demands of a modern office user. How do you approach a new design project?

O.L. I remember the Savo Soul brief well. Your sales team was heavily involved, and we worked closely with architects. Predicting future trends is difficult because people don’t always know what they’ll need in five years. That’s why we do extensive research tailored to each project. The sales team wanted a chair that allowed them to always say, “Yes, we have that,” whether it was a low-back chair, a mesh seat, or a specific type of armrest. The goal was to have a solution for every need.

C.H. So, it wasn’t just about giving the sales team the right tools – it was also about giving users the ability to customise their chair.

O.L. Exactly. The idea was that Savo could always offer the right product, but users could also order the chair that best suited their needs.

C.H. Savo has always been about innovation and intuition. You’ve touched on the intuitive aspect, but from an innovation standpoint, Savo Soul was one of the first office chair families to feature a mesh back when it launched ten years ago. And now, we’re updating it with a mesh seat. That’s one of your latest projects. How’s that coming along?

O.L. Yes, we wanted to harmonise the mesh seat with the mesh back so that they truly feel like they belong together. At the same time, we’ve explored new, innovative ways of applying mesh.

C.H. The shift from a foam seat to a mesh seat brings clear sustainability advantages. And with the way office environments have changed post-Covid, hygiene and airflow are more important than ever.

O.L. Absolutely. Today, people don’t necessarily use the same chair every day. That makes hygiene a key factor. At the same time, adjustability needs to be simple and intuitive, because most people don’t adjust their chairs as much as they should.

C.H. Let’s talk about our latest product we’ve developed together – the Savo 360 chair. I remember one of the boldest requirements of the brief was to minimise plastic. In the end, we achieved around 3% on a work chair, which is remarkable. I think the most innovative feature of the product is actually the wooden J-bar. Was it a result of the no-plastic requirement?

O.L. We wanted to create a new chair suited for the modern office – where people move more, have more team meetings, and spend less time sitting at a desk doing computer work.

I learned something valuable from working with luminaires: round shapes tend to sell more than square ones because they’re easier to place in different environments. A square shape needs to fit in; a round one just blends in. So in one of our early workshops, I suggested trying a round seat.

While we set out to minimise plastic as much as possible, the last 3-4% is unavoidable – we need it for functionality and production. But then we explored alternatives, which led to the wooden J-bar. The J-bar not only reduced plastic but also gave us opportunities to experiment with different expressions, while still retaining that tactile wood feel.

C.H. The timing of this product was also particularly good for us. Not long after we launched, the world saw a massive shift to remote work. Savo 360 is a truly versatile hybrid chair that blends effortlessly into a home environment.

O.L. I remember from our research phase that we conducted interviews asking people if they would want a typical office chair in their homes. The response was often a resounding “no”. That insight shaped our approach. We needed to create a chair that people would accept in a modern home. And I think we achieved that with Savo 360.

C.H. As workspaces continue evolving at such a rapid pace, what’s your perspective on the next generation of work chairs? I remember you once said a work chair should function like a smartphone.

O.L. I still believe that – the chair should intuitively adapt to the user’s body. People no longer have a designated seat; they move around and sit in different environments every day. So I think the demand is shifting towards intuitive seating that fits all users.

C.H. We touched on sustainable materials earlier, and I think Savo has done particularly well in this area on the Soul chair. It’s not just about designing new products with sustainability in mind; it’s also about improving existing ones.

O.L. One of the things I really appreciate about working with Savo is that we don’t just focus on launching new products. You don’t always need to reinvent the wheel. If you have a strong product, you can refine it over time, just like brands do with cars or smartphones. That approach is also a form of sustainability – creating longevity instead of constantly replacing products.

C.H. Absolutely. It’s not just about the materials we use but also about how easy it is to replace components. If you need to change any part of the chair, you don’t have to replace the whole chair.

On that note, it’s been great to visit your studio, see the work in progress, and hear about all the exciting projects you’re working on. Thanks for having us and for your long-term collaboration – we’re looking forward to building on that success together.

O.L. Thank you for coming – it’s been a pleasure.

Savo Soul Air is the ideal solution for shared and flexible office spaces that prioritise comfort, hygiene, and functionality. Constructed according to the latest ergonomic research and built to withstand the test of time, our latest office chair doesn’t just reduce environmental impact but also enhances the seating experience.

Made for sharing

Perfect for shared spaces, Savo Soul Air features a hygienic mesh back and seat to promote airflow, reduce heat buildup, and allow for effortless cleaning. The breathable design assures comfort throughout the day, while its adaptability makes it ideal for environments with multiple users. Constructed with Flexi Back™️ technology, Soul Air automatically adjusts to the user’s weight and movements, offering personalised support with minimal adjustments.

In-built sustainability

Savo Soul Air reflects Savo’s commitment to sustainability through its conscious and durable design. The chair is crafted with 79% recycled mesh material and constructed with a foam-free, air-based structure as opposed to traditional foam padding, reducing overall material usage. With 97% recyclability, the chair supports a circular economy by minimising waste and environmental impact. The mesh back and seat withstand heavy, long-term use, ensuring the chair maintains its form and function for years to come.

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Scandinavian design

The latest addition to the Soul family, Soul Air combines Scandinavian minimalism with the latest in ergonomic research. The mesh design creates a lightweight, airy look that both minimises the chair’s visual impact in the workspace while enhancing the overall office aesthetic. It’s the perfect choice for contemporary offices, balancing style and functionality without sacrificing comfort or longevity.

To product page →

Held at the Savo showroom in Stockholm, the panel was made up of Craig Howarth, CEO of Savo; John Löfgren, co-founder of design studio Form Us With Love; and Niklas Madsen, founder of research and design laboratory Superlab.

Speakers discussed how, with the rise of hybrid working practices, office chairs are increasingly being shared by several users across a range of different tasks.

This is fuelling demand for chairs that offer greater flexibility and multifunctionality, but which are simpler and more intuitive to operate.

“When you come into the office, it could be that four or five other people have been sitting at the same workstation on the same chair already that week,” Howarth told the audience.

“So the chair has to be intuitive and easy to adjust,” he said. “There is only one adjustment you should have to think about and that’s the height. It should do everything else for you.”

Multiple users and multiple tasks

The panellists agreed that this cultural shift has been ongoing since the turn of the century, particularly with the uptake of co-working. But it has accelerated significantly in the years since the Covid-19 pandemic, which led many people to adopt new working rituals.

With more people now dividing their working hours between the office and home, it has become more common for chairs and desks to be shared by multiple users.

“In the late 90s, everyone had a chair that was set up for them ergonomically,” said Madsen.

“You had ergonomic companies coming out to big corporations to help everyone adjust their chairs. But that doesn’t happen anymore,” he continued.

“We now have a situation where we need chairs for multiple users and multiple tasks. It has created a whole new pitch for what the office chair actually is.”

Löfgren explained how this thinking informed the design of the Savo Spine, the modular task chair that Form Us With Love designed for the brand.

“We were well aware that this product would be used by a lot of different people,” Löfgren said.

“We had the ambition to do something with a low-tech aura to it,” Löfgren explained. “You don’t need an instruction manual to cater for different adjustments.”

_{From left to right: John Löfgren (Form Us With Love), Amy Frearson}

“Just the right amount of comfort”

As with other Savo chairs, the Spine is designed to reflect the latest research in ergonomics. Löfgren said the aim was to offer a balance between comfort and active sitting.

“There are definitely more comfortable chairs!” he quipped. “This is just the right amount of comfort – that’s how we see it. You maybe do something for 50 minutes then get up and make a coffee or use the restroom.”
Howarth said that one of the most important factors in ergonomics is human behaviour. A key tip for sitting better, he explained, is to not stay in the same position too long.

“The best position is your next position,” he told the audience, reciting a quote from the late Norwegian industrial designer, Peter Opsvik.

_{From left to right: Niklas Madsen (Superlab), Craig Howarth (Savo), John Löfgren (Form Us With Love), Amy Frearson}

Madsen said that he sits on a Savo Joi stool while working because it finds it encourages him to move between seated and standing positions.

The Superlab founder believes that young people have a similar mentality when it comes to working rituals, unlike the generation before them.

“There’s an older generation that defines work within a specific place, while the younger generation defines work mentally, that it can happen anywhere,” Madsen said.

He believes the future of workplace seating is task-based rather than place-based. “As our tasks change, so will our task chairs,” he suggested.

Regulations and aesthetics

Sustainability will continue to shape the evolution of the office chair, panellists said. A key driver of change will be the arrival of digital product passports, which will be a requirement for all new furniture sold in EU countries from 2027 onwards.

By scanning a QR code, customers will be able to access detailed information about what a product is made from and where those components were sourced.

Howarth said this new layer of transparency will have a huge impact on product development. “I think it will change the way that products are designed,” he said.

Savo is already planning for this, with the new Savo Soul Air set to become the brand’s first product with a digital passport. “It will be interesting to see the development,” Howarth said.

Aesthetics are equally important, according to the panel. A task chair needs to look good in other environments besides the office, for optimal flexibility.

“For our design process, it has been important to understand which chairs can be designed and produced to work in multiple environments,” said Howarth.

“I would like to have a chair that I can place anywhere, in my house, in an office or in a co-working space,” added Madsen.

“I think this is something that we’ll see much more of in the future – that the chair will have more of a home feeling to it, but it will still be super ergonomic.”

The panel discussion took place on 6 February in the temporary Savo showroom in Stockholm, which hosted the exhibition ‘Studies in Seating‘ for Stockholm Design Week 2025. The exhibition marked the pre-launch of the Savo Soul Air, the latest addition to the brand’s collection.

Visitors explored curated material from our extensive library, engaged with interactive research on work habits, and experienced our latest designs firsthand – including Soul Air, the much-anticipated addition to the Savo Soul family.

Throughout the week, we also hosted an event with some of the design industry’s most prominent voices, including Amy Frearson, Niklas Madsen (Superlab), John Löfgren (Form Us With Love) and Savo’s CEO Craig Howarth. This captivating discussion about the future of office seating was a highlight of the week-long exhibition, inspiring meaningful conversations about the role of seating in the modern workplace.

Guests were treated to Swedish fika from a local bakery while connecting with our team, exchanging ideas, and receiving tailored advice from our seating experts on healthier ways to sit and work.

We’d like to thank everyone who stopped by, shared their insights, and celebrated the
over-overlooked but no less fascinating world of office seating with us. It’s moments such as these that motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of ergonomics and seating design. For those who couldn’t make it, we hope to see you at our next event.

Evening event – ​​Thursday, February 6

Hosted by Dezeen’s editor-at-large Amy Frearson, ‘Sit better: Designing the office chairs of tomorrow’ will explore the evolving role of office chairs in modern workspaces, highlighting the importance of this often-overlooked staple where office workers spend up to eight years of their lives.

When: Thursday, 6th February, 2025, 17:30-20:30
Where: IOFFICE; Sveavägen 34, 111 34 Stockholm

Please RSVP here.

About the products in the exhibition

Two groups of talented Product Design students were given access to Savo’s production site and tasked with reimagining office seating. They explored ergonomics, sustainability, and the balance between aesthetics and functionality, drawing inspiration from Savo’s expertise in the field.

Group one: Resimmercial seating

Students: Siri Lövén, Karin Forsberg, Victoria Johansson.

One group of students explored seating that bridges residential and commercial, focusing on the balance between active and restful postures. Their innovative concepts merged kneeling and lounge chairs, aiming to create a hybrid solution that feels at home in any workspace.

The team explored existing designs, particularly the 1980s kneeling stool by Peter Opsvik, with the goal to create a chair that encourages taking breaks by offering distinct positions – one for work and another for relaxation. Prototyping involved testing angles and materials, with metal being favoured. “We chose a lot of metal and warm tones which works well for home offices since many people still work from home,” the team shared.

Group two: Task seating

Students: Ellen Nilsson, August Bällgren, Emelie Svensson.

The second group delved into active sitting, designing a chair that combines ergonomics with the warmth of home. They used steel threads for prototyping which allowed them to explore and iterate more freely. The stool is intended for short periods of sitting, such as during breaks, and was intended to be inclusive and easy to use.

The team explained that they wanted to “encourage active sitting and accommodate all body shapes without the need for adjustments.” Future steps include the potential to incorporate environmental considerations and personalisation options.

The future of seating design

The students approached the project with a thorough and thoughtful research process. They studied the brief in detail to fully understand the challenge and conducted in-depth research into existing designs and trends in office seating, including closely studying the research and Savo products gathered and exhibited at Studies in Seating. To gain deeper insights and ensure their concepts were rooted in real-world needs and preferences, they conducted questionnaires to gather perspectives and feedback.

“The students were meticulous with their research, exploring every detail of their designs with curiosity and focus. It was inspiring to see how they pushed boundaries to reimagine what office seating can be,” says Andreas Mattisson, Manager of Product Development at Savo.

You can see the results of the students at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in “The Greenhouse”, the dedicated space for tomorrow’s designers, between 4-8 February 2025. Head along to experience how these young designers are making their mark on the workspaces of the future.

Creative design with purpose

SBY celebrates individuality, offering customers the freedom to personalise leather accessories with a focus on craftsmanship and personal expression. Rooted in creativity and a keen attention to detail, SBY has created a space that reflect its values.

With its adaptability and custom design, Savo Spine exemplifies SBY’s ethos. In the SBY studio, the chair in a bright yellow is a functional piece that sparks curiosity and elevates the space. Its vibrant colour and versatility perfectly align with SBY’s mission to blend creativity and personality with purpose.

“From the moment I saw the Savo Spine chair, I knew it was the right fit. Its clean, simple lines with that confident pop of colour perfectly captured the essence of what I wanted SBY to stand for,” Ali explains.

A shared vision

For Ali, choosing the Savo Spine chair was about more than aesthetics – it was about shared values.

“When building a new brand, values and visions are crucial, and I feel we share the same ideas about creating something that feels both genuine and sustainable,” he reflects.

The chair has become a key feature in the SBY studio and creative process, which Ali plans to integrate into their brand identity.

“It’s an exciting connection between our worlds, and I look forward to continuing to work with colours and styles in our upcoming pop-ups—with the Savo chairs as an essential part of the experience,” adds Ali.

About Savo Spine:

Developed in collaboration with Form Us With Love, Savo Spine redefines conventional office seating with its modularity, sustainability, and user-focused design.

– Modular and flexible: From stools to work chairs, Spine evolves to meet changing needs and workspaces.

– Active sitting: Its 360-degree movement mechanism supports focus and comfort, encouraging active sitting.

– Layer-by-layer design: Created with replaceable, repairable, and recyclable components, Spine is made for long-term sustainability.

– Timeless aesthetic: Spine blends both into creative or professional spaces while offering a standout design element, like the yellow chair that now defines SBY’s studio.

Challenges when recycling plastic

Tender documents often contain tough requirements to verify that certain chemicals are not included, which is indeed good as it shakes out many substances hazardous to the environment and health, but it can also mean that certain recycled materials are rejected. This is because no supplier can guarantee there are no traces of the forbidden chemicals present. This applies to things like certain plastics and plastic granule suppliers. Furniture producers are then faced with the choice of meeting procurement requirements by using virgin plastic, or by prioritising one more use of already-extracted natural resources. Because a large part of the Swedish furniture industry is dependent on meeting tender document requirements, it often results in their following requirements while continuing to look for solutions.

One solution is for plastic granule suppliers to test every batch with the recycled plastic material. However, this is costly, which is one of the reasons recycled plastic is often more expensive than the virgin version. Thus tender documents that do not factor this into their price comparisons are not to the advantage of recycled plastic. Another solution would be to use pre-consumer recycled plastic, which means the plastic was recycled during the manufacturing or delivery process before it reached the consumer. For example, this might be industrial waste that is used again instead of being sent for disposal. The problem is the post-consumer recycled plastic, i.e. plastic that has been out on the market and collected after use. Pre-consumer recycled material does not provide the same environmental gains as post-consumer material, but it is still much better than virgin material. On the other hand, pre-consumer recycled material has an advantage as its traceability is unbroken and producers know exactly what it contains.

Recycled metal relatively cheap

In contrast to recycled plastic, which is often more expensive than the virgin variety, recycled metal is cheaper than virgin metal. Thus there is a functioning circular process for recycled metal for financial reasons, and all metal that can be recycled uses this process. This means the total amount of recycled material does not increase if the customer demands recycled metal. On the other hand, steel that contains more than 20 percent recycled material can have a negative environmental impact because it requires steel from special scrap smelters in Europe as there are none in the Nordics, and this entails extra haulage for a material that has still been used by someone else.

Recycled wood is unusual

Fibreboard is one of the few wooden products that sometimes actually contains recycled wood. Otherwise, recycled wood is relatively unusual. On the other hand, wood forms part of the biological cycle and is thus a renewable, climate smart material. However, be careful when demanding that furniture contain a certain proportion of recycled material as this tends to prioritise plastic and metal furniture at the expense of wooden furniture. It’s better to demand a certain percentage of recycled or renewable material in furniture.