Global retailer IKEA has begun selling a range of kitchens with the doors and other fronts made out of PET bottles and reclaimed wood.
Together with an Italian supplier, IKEA has developed a new material that is a plastic foil made out of recycled PET bottles.
Around 25 half litre PET bottles are used to cover the reclaimed wood surface of a 40x80cm KUNGSBACKA kitchen front.
IKEA supplier 3B head of development Marco Bergamo said: “We found a way to transform used PET bottles into a foil that is laminated on the KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts.
“The biggest challenge was to create a foil made from recycled material that fulfils the same quality requirements as a foil made of virgin material. We worked hard not to compromise on either quality or price.”
IKEA product developer Anna Granath said: “We need to become better at using the planet’s resources in a smart way. Our ambition is to increase the share of recycled materials in our products.
“We are looking into new ways to reuse materials, such as paper, fibre, foam and plastic, so that we can give them a new life in a new product.”
