DSM bio-based PA boosts circularity for noho’s comfort, stackable chairs

DSM Engineering Materials announces the launch of its first collaboration with New Zealand-based direct-to-consumer furniture brand noho: Lightly stackable chairs. The new plant- and recycled-based product is the first chair to be manufactured from DSM Engineering Materials’ EcoPaXX bio-based polyamide, which is derived from the castor bean plant.

This renewable resource is highly CO2 absorbent while it is growing, giving EcoPaXX a lower carbon footprint compared to fossil-based alternatives. Combining high functional performance, durability, and aesthetics with a significantly reduced environmental impact, EcoPaXX is facilitating noho’s goal of creating furniture that is better for people and the planet.

The launch of Lightly marks the second entry in noho’s portfolio of ergonomically designed and more sustainably produced chairs for work, home, and events.

The chair is created using both EcoPaXX (~71%) and recycled post-consumer waste materials (28%). EcoPaXX is 70% bio-based and has a wide range of uses across industries such as automotive, water management, consumer goods and electronics, and food packaging.

Latest noho Lightly stackable chairs made with EcoPaXX bio-based polyamide from DSM Engineering Materials.

Combining comfort and convenience, Lightly is designed to be light and easily stackable for simplified storage, mobility and versatility: one chair weighs only 2.7kg and a stack of 10 chairs reaches just 106cm from the ground. This compactness also reduces the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to shipping the products, as more chairs can be loaded into a single container.

Lightly offers users comfort thanks to its award-winning, research-based design. Nevertheless, its thin frame is manufactured using as little material as possible to reduce GHG emissions related to raw material sourcing. This means the material used must meet demanding performance standards, and EcoPaXX provides combination of strength, durability, low moisture uptake, and surface finish – resulting in a product that is as attractive and robust as it is sustainable.

A key material proof point within DSM Engineering Materials’ Simply Circular initiative, EcoPaXX helps manufacturers such as noho to close the loop on material flows.

Paul Wilkinson, Co-CEO at noho, commented, “We’re excited to be bringing to market a product that offers users superior versatility and ergonomic design while reducing the carbon emissions caused by its manufacture. The opportunities that DSM Engineering Materials offers in the areas of recycled and plant-based materials fit well with noho’s philosophy.”

Martin Wolffs, Global Business Manager EcoPaXX at DSM Engineering Materials, stated, “It’s a pleasure to help bring to life noho’s future-focused vision of minimizing its environmental impact by considering the entire product life cycle, from manufacture to shipping – designing more sustainably wherever possible.”