IKEA Korea launches KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts made from recycled materials

In alignment with ‘People & Planet Positive Strategy’ of IKEA, they are the first kitchen fronts in the IKEA range made from discarded PET-bottles and wood. Using recycled FSC® certified wood as a base, the kitchen fronts are laminated with the plastic foil – a new material made from recycled PET-bottles. 25 half-litre PET-bottles are needed to make a 40x80 cm KUNGSBACKA kitchen front.

Made from sustainable materials, the kitchen fronts are also coupled with practical design and function. Like all IKEA kitchenware, they have 25 years guarantee.

“The biggest challenge was to create a foil from recycled material that fulfils the same quality requirements as a foil made of virgin material,” adding, “We worked hard not to compromise on neither quality nor price,” said Marco Bergamo, head of development at the Italian IKEA supplier, 3B.

Anna Granath, the project leader of the team that has developed KUNGSBACKA, said, “What we do at IKEA has a big impact on the environment because we work with large quantities,” adding, “We are looking into new ways to re-use materials, such as paper, fiber, foam and plastic. Our ambition is to increase the share of recycled materials in our products.”

Under its ‘People & Planet Positive Strategy’, IKEA has been continuously working on 1) consumers’ sustainable life at home, 2) energy & resource independence, and 3) better life for people and communities. On September 2015, IKEA switched its entire lighting range to energy-efficient LED, and has been sourcing all cotton and 61% of wood used in its products from more sustainable sources. Moreover, the company aims at having 100% renewable energy to be consumed in its operations by 2020.

Starting from February 1, KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts are now available at IKEA Gwangmyeong store .