Hybrid workspaces that are also safe, sustainable and healthy

Now's the time to reconsider these spaces from a holistic perspective that goes beyond the functionality and practicality of the furniture, taking into consideration a sustainable and environmentally friendly value chain

The new work models, including both the home office as well as hybrid and flexible spaces, must not only be efficient and productive, but they also need to be safe, sustainable and promote the well-being of their users.

Now is the time to reconsider these spaces from a holistic perspective that goes beyond the functionality and practicality of the furniture, taking into consideration a sustainable and environmentally-friendly value chain that includes the design, materials, production process, finishes and packaging.

Actiu, leader in the design and manufacture of solutions for workspaces and hospitality, is spearheading this trend, promoting different initiatives aimed at creating hybrid spaces and multipurpose corporate environments that are more efficient, healthier and safer, where the user experience is a key factor for success.

“Today, thanks to technology and our DNA, we know that we can manufacture without destroying. -explains Soledat Berbegal, Consultant and Director of Brand Reputation at Actiu-.

Being an industry that uses recycled materials and manufactures in a sustainable way has always been one of the premises of our family business, thinking about how we care for people and the environment in the long term. In fact, in recent years, Actiu has become the first industrial company in the world to obtain the Well V2 and Leed Platinum certificates, which certify the company's headquarters as being a healthy and sustainable space, ensuring the well-being of the people who work inside it while taking care of the environment outside. But we want to take things even further and help our clients and the users of our products to incorporate sustainability into their spaces and use recycled materials that help the planet.”

0% Formaldehyde Melamine

Melamine is a key material in the design and manufacture of furniture. Actiu's designs have evolved thanks to advances in printing, which allow natural elements to be faithfully reproduced while adapting to the latest trends in decoration and architecture. Actiu has been a pioneer in Spain by incorporating 0% formaldehyde melamine in all its products as the standard. Furthermore, 85% of the boards are recycled, using low isocyanate glue on their edging, and optimising the design of the products to take advantage of 90% of the boards. The rest is used as packaging material.

Plastic

Actiu is a benchmark when it comes to the use of plastic injection for manufacturing products that weigh anywhere between one and ten kilos. Everything that is left over from production is reused to make new pieces with irrelevant levels of functional and durability requirements. In addition, Actiu technology allows antibacterial and flame retardant additives to be incorporated in order to further enhance user protection.

Polyurethane Foam

Actiu manufactures different foams with densities that are breathable, insulating and lightweight, establishing a balance that guarantees durability and comfort. PUR is aseptic, which ensures the absence of germs that can cause infection. Since 2020, Actiu has been producing its polyurethanes with HFO instead of HFC, which will be banned in 2023, and it is working on achieving continuous improvements to ensure it has minimal production losses.

Steel

The steel used is 100% recyclable. It is a light steel (less weight and fewer CO2 emissions in its transport), and it is processed by suppliers with clean energy.

Aluminium

Actiu uses 100% recycled aluminium from the automotive industry, the most demanding when it comes to quality. 93% of production losses are reincorporated into the process to create new pieces and the rest is used by a third party to manufacture parts with a smaller surface area and less demanding quality requirements.

Paints

The treatment used allows the product to be evenly covered, optimising the use of raw materials. A new pre-treatment reduces energy consumption and prevents spillage. The paints used are free from volatile organic compounds, which are dangerous air pollutants. In the process, 93% of the paint is used and the remainder is used to manufacture asphalt. In addition, Actiu reuses all the water in the process, generating no water wastage.

Fabrics

Actiu's selection of fabrics incorporates options that come from recycled plastic bottles, as well as others that reduce the concentration of viruses.

Packaging

100% of the cardboard used is recycled and 100% is recyclable. The film used is 100% recyclable and the bags are 100% compostable.

Actiu's Formula

Actiu's formula is based on working with local partners that share the same philosophy, using locally-sourced, recycled materials from sustainable production, reducing waste to a minimum, reprocessing production losses to achieve 0% waste, optimising processes and anticipating future legislation.

“We are family owned industrial company convinced that what we do has a positive impact not only on people, but on our planet as well. All our activity is aimed at the sustainable and highly efficient manufacture of products that contribute to improving people's lives and their productivity, doing so in a safe and healthy way that promotes well-being in any space, both in the new hybrid workspaces and in offices,” says Soledat Berbegal.

Source: Actiu
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