Kvadrat is PFAS free 

At Kvadrat, we are continuously researching alternatives to conventional chemical substances and treatments in pursuit of chemical safety. Building on this commitment, we have taken the decisive step to make all our products completely free from Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) by January 1st, 2024. Known as “forever chemicals”, PFAS are a group of chemicals that resist oils, stains, and water, which raise chemical safety concerns and are proven to have negative environmental and health effects. 

Kvadrat transforms ocean-bound plastic into a pioneering upholstery textile  

Kvadrat has launched Sport, our first textile woven from recycled polyester made from 100% ocean-bound plastic waste. The post-consumer plastic used to manufacture the material is collected no further than 10 km away land inwards from coastlines and rivers and maximum of 100m from the shore in the sea and on remote islands in Thailand, where better waste management infrastructure is needed. The processing of the ocean plastic waste into the final textile takes place in Europe

Accelerating plant-based mono-material design within our residential curtain collections  

We have a strong focus on sourcing regenerative raw materials responsibly and continuously research alternatives to conventional materials. In 2023, we introduced new innovative materials like Tencel™ Lux, a more sustainable alternative to silk, and a Japanese paper yarn made from abaca pulp. Moreover, we have increased the usage of regenerative materials such as linen, wool, and hemp by 40% in our overall portfolio, and we have extended the number of mono-materials and regenerative blends in our entire collection to 89%. 

Reuse of packaging at Kvadrat Shade  

We have established a packaging take-back system for major customers. During routine transport to these clients, we retrieve and reuse packaging materials (inner and outer tubes, and wooden crates) when delivering new products. This allows us to use less packaging and reduce the amount of packaging our clients need to recycle.   

Sound-absorbing acoustic felt made from our own waste  

Striving for a no-waste future, Kvadrat Really partnered up with Kvadrat Acoustics, creating a synergy that allows for polyester repurposing. In 2023, Kvadrat Really introduced a sound-absorbing solution for the Kvadrat Acoustics Tracks solution, created from 85% of Kvadrat Acoustics own textile waste. Moreover, in 2023 Kvadrat Really upcycled more than 500 tons of textile waste into Kvadrat Really products, a figure that is expected to increase to 900 tons in 2024. 

New dyehouse reduces water usage by 20%  

By embracing innovative production methods and the replacement of old dyeing and finishing machines, our wool production partner Innvik in Norway has not only reduced energy consumption but also significantly reduced our water intensity in production. So far, the new dyehouse has achieved a ca. 20% reduction in water usage, primarily driven by the reuse of hot water used during the dying process for rinsing yarn. 

Wooltex drives resource efficiency and waste reduction  

On our journey to eliminate the use of virgin plastic and minimise waste, the integration of a new spinning plant at our weaving mill Wooltex has allowed us to significantly reduce our virgin packaging by 15 tonnes. Specifically, it has enabled us to reuse plastic cones, pallets, and cardboard between the weaving and spinning sites. Additionally, we partnered with a local company to recycle our plastic waste into new packing material that we can use for shipments. 

Rug weaving technology breakthrough  

In collaboration with our production partner Kvadrat Weaving, we have developed a patent-pending technique that grants us the ability to produce tufted rugs without adhesives and the requirement for a secondary backing. Exemplified by our rugs March and July, this production technique not only reduces the need for virgin materials and chemicals during production but also simplifies potential recycling processes at the end of the rugs’ lives.