Challenges we face… Sustainable alternatives to foam rubber are expensive and scarce. What can we do to increase their availability and material quality? Raw materials from our own country are limited in the Netherlands. Can we still produce our furniture 100% locally? Every production process generates residual materials. Can we add value to them through upcycling? Even after intensive use, our furniture can be refurbished. How do we motivate people to choose our restoration services? Our products compete on quality and lifespan. Can we make a larger audience recognize the value of sustainability? With our service and spare parts, you can perform small repairs yourself. Are you willing to do that? Once our product is sold, we lose sight of its use. How can we continue to support the consumer? Laminates like HPI are strong and scratch-resistant, but recycling is challenging. What do you prefer: a pristine or a reusable tabletop? People care for what they love. Can design help users cherish a piece of furniture? Foam rubber for seats is made from petroleum. Is it entirely replaceable by natural latex or plant fibers? Sustainably developed materials are sometimes not immediately available. Do you accept a longer delivery time for a truly sustainable product? Natural fibers for the furniture industry need to grow somewhere. Is it acceptable to repurpose scarce farmland for this? Public attention to circularity encourages 'greenwashing.' When does clever marketing turn into unverifiable claims? Innovation in materials, techniques, and systems comes at a cost. Who is willing to contribute to the expenses of circular production and consumption? We value the physical lifespan of our products. How can design best contribute to prolonging that lifespan? Even in 'vegan leather,' there is often still plastic. Is euphemistic language helpful if we genuinely want to work circularly? The easier materials are to separate, the simpler the recycling process. Is that more important than the structural strength of our furniture? There is increasing sustainable material innovation. Is there room in your home for a chair made from mushrooms? A solid wood tabletop has a long lifespan. Is solid material always the most sustainable choice? Many of our furniture pieces are sold outside the Netherlands. Is a European network of restoration workshops a realistic scenario? In every production chain, materials are glued. Can we make furniture without glue? We strive for perfection. But perfection is fragile. Is it time to redefine our unique qualities? Each year, 1 million kilograms of sheep's wool are discarded in the Netherlands. Can we revive the traditional wool processing industry? Sustainability progresses step by step. Do manufacturers and users know where the most significant gains can be made? Due to a lack of clear regulations, the sector has endless certificates. Is it realistic for medium-sized companies to keep up with them? At the European level, there is a lack of uniform regulations. How do we as an industry determine which standards to meet? As manufacturers, we work for the market, and you are that market. How do you want sustainability translated into the products we make tomorrow? Our furniture is sold globally. Should we collaborate with local furniture manufacturers? Raw material chains are often not transparent. How can we still make the most sustainable choices? The Netherlands faces a shortage of skilled craftsmen. Will that eventually make high-quality local production impossible? We outsource a small part of our production. What can we do to help our suppliers become more sustainable? The most sustainable sofa is probably the one you already have. What makes an object cherished enough not to replace? Some certified wood types are limited in availability. What is needed to work exclusively with certified wood? Short chains are desirable, but labor in the Netherlands is expensive. Are you, as a consumer, willing to pay for a sustainable production chain? While your life changes, your furniture does not. Is it a problem to sit at the same table in 20 years? Furniture making is a beautiful and respected craft. How do we pass on the love for the craft to a younger generation? By renewing our furniture, we can give them a second life. Do you prefer a slightly cheaper refurbished model over a new one? Sustainability certifications rarely provide clarity. Should producers use their knowledge to tighten regulations? Local production offers our employees the best working conditions. Do you consider that when buying furniture? Designers worldwide experiment with sustainable materials. What is needed to incorporate their experiments into our production?
