Eco-look vs. real sustainability
The eco-look is a design trick that uses appealing aesthetics to convince us of its environmental friendliness. It plays with colors and materials: natural, earthy tones, raw textures such as linen or jute, and pieces that look like they are handmade.
When we see such a product, we automatically perceive it as being kind to the planet. But beware, this attractive “eco look” often serves only as a disguise and may not say anything at all about the actual environmental impact of the material, which can be measured by the life cycle assessment (LCA).
Why is LCA important for interior design?
LCA allows us to objectively compare materials that appear to be environmentally friendly at first glance but actually have a large footprint due to transportation or processing.
Most wood-based materials (OSB, DTD) have excellent origins, but LCA reveals that synthetic binders (adhesives) significantly reduce recyclability. In contrast, recycled plastic may appear to be an industrial material, but if it is monomaterial (like ours) and can be recycled many times, its LCA footprint is dramatically lower.
LCA therefore shows us where the biggest problem lies and which material demonstrably helps to save CO2 emissions and resources.
Natural vs. Circular Materials
Natural materials
Wood-based materials – these are materials created by breaking wood down into small particles (chips, fibers, sawdust) and recombining them using heat, pressure, and synthetic binders (adhesives). These include:
Chipboard (DTD) and MDF: Used for basic structures and surfaces that are further modified.
OSB boards: Popular for their distinctive appearance in modern and industrial design. Used as floor coverings, designer wall coverings, or for the production of raw, minimalist furniture (shelves, tables).
Plywood and blockboard: Valued for their strength and stability.
- Plywood: Used for durable designer furniture and visible elements. Its layered edge is an aesthetic feature in itself.
- Blockboard: Ideal for the production of large, stable boards and furniture parts where warping needs to be prevented (e.g., wide cabinet doors).
As mentioned above, these types of materials pose a circularity problem! The adhesives used complicate recycling. It is very difficult or impossible to separate the binders from the fibers, which often means that these boards cannot be recycled to the same quality and end up as raw material for lower applications (downcycling) or must be incinerated.
Circular materials
The use of circular materials represents a transition from a linear “take, make, dispose” economy to a circular economy, in which valuable raw materials are kept in the production cycle and out of landfills.
Metals (aluminum, steel, copper): Used in furniture construction (chairs, tables), lighting, and fittings. Aluminum, often recycled, is popular for its lightness.
Glass: Ideal for partition walls, table tops, mirrors, and decorative items. Glass is almost 100% recyclable.
Monomaterial plastics (PET, HDPE, PP): These plastics are key because they can be effectively recycled into boards, panels, cladding, or design objects (e.g., interior boards, which are becoming a modern and durable alternative). Our Minus Panels fall into this category.
Mycelium: A new, innovative material used to make insulation panels, cladding elements, or lightweight furniture and packaging. It is valued for its acoustic and fire resistance.
Why is circularity important in interior design?
The use of purely circular materials in interior design reduces waste and contributes to better indoor air quality, as they do not contain toxic substances and heavy adhesives, which are a problem with conventional composites (such as DTD). It is a combination of ethics, aesthetics, and functionality.
