Published 08 October 2020 • Inter IKEA newsroom
IKEA and Flow Loop to develop water recycling shower solution
IKEA and Flow Loop are partnering to develop a water recycling shower solution to inspire and enable people to be more water efficient.
Approximately one tenth of the global fresh water is consumed in people’s home and the usage of water in the homes is expected to increase across the world. The biggest water consuming activity at home is in general showering (about 40%), however this may vary depending on where and how people live.\* IKEA has committed to inspire and enable people to live healthier, more sustainable lives.
The business collaboration with Flow Loop is one step on this journey. The solution aims to save up to 80 per cent of water and reduce up to 70 per cent of energy used compared to average shower solutions by recycling and cleaning the shower water in a closed loop.
“We are exploring innovative solutions that inspire and enable reduced water consumption and reuse of water in the home,” said Tobias Svanberg, Development Leader Range & Product Innovation, IKEA of Sweden AB. “As a brand with presence around the world, IKEA has a big responsibility – and opportunity to lead and influence a movement for efficient and more sustainable water use and we are happy to work with innovative partners such as Flow Loop.”
Flow Loop is a Danish company, and one of the ten finalists in the IKEA Bootcamp 2019\*\*. The company has innovated a water recycling retrofit shower solution that fits to any shower space. Through recycling and cleaning the shower water in a closed loop, the solution can save up to 80% of water and reduce 70% of energy use while maximizing the shower experience without shortening the shower time.
“At Flow Loop we are very proud to collaborate with IKEA, as we set out to make an impact for a more sustainable world. Flow Loop’s vision is to change the way we use water as a resource and to help secure sufficient clean water for tomorrow. We believe we can best achieve this by innovation that changes how we use water in our homes and supporting the integration of sustainable living into the mainstream market. We see IKEA as the best partner to accomplish this vision,” says Troels Grene, CEO, Flow Loop.
Beyond developing innovative and affordable products to enable reduced usage of water at home, IKEA is working throughout the value chain to become more water efficient by improving water quality and increasing the availability of water where IKEA has influence.
\* Source: World Resources Institute
\*\* IKEA Bootcamp program 2019 was a three month semi-remote program, designed to accommodate the growth-stage startups, who also manage their day-to-day business while co-creating with IKEA. Throughout the program, IKEA and the startups continuously explored whether or not to progress with the collaborations in the IKEA Bootcamp program.