Sustainability Report 2022-23 paperturn - Flipbook - Page 18
Long-lasting functional and aesthetic designs
Every product begins with great design, and
already during the design phase, a series of
decisions are made that have crucial impact
on the product’s environmental profile and
life cycle, on which product labels it can
achieve – and, not least, that the product
has a long life for the benefit of both the
user and the environment.
Design is defining for the product’s life
At Gabriel our goal is to create designs that combine functional,
aesthetic, and environmental value as described in our design
principles. Our fundamental assumption is that design that
combines functional and aesthetic value has a longer life. Our
design principles do not limit our creativity but offer a set of
guidelines that describes our requirements and the possibilities they entail. They require that we carefully consider all
product life cycles from cradle-to-cradle, including circularity,
maintenance options, responsible use of resources, documentation, and quality.
Working closely across the organisation and with our customers ensures that we are able to utilise the know-how and
expertise of various specialists within design, quality, environment, and production. This is crucial to the development of solutions that are born with the properties we require and meet
both current and future demands.
Material selection
At Gabriel, we work hard to ensure that the raw materials and
components used for our fabrics always meet the company’s
strict quality and environmental requirements. Gabriel’s environmental standards and requirements exceed applicable
laws and comply with both international product label standards as well as market demands. The material selection at
Gabriel is defined by Gabriel’s General Requirements that set
standards for materials and products.
Gabriel continually researches new and more sustainable
materials and technologies. The overall purpose is to reduce
the company’s environmental impact even further and provide
alternatives that create further value for our customers.
Fibres that age with beauty
At Gabriel, our preferred fibres to produce upholstery fabrics
are wool and polyester, simply because we only want to use
fibres that age with beauty and offer long-lasting functional
and aesthetic value.
Wool – nature’s finest
Wool is Gabriel’s preferred natural fibre as it offers a range of
unique aesthetic and functional properties that other natural
fibres do not possess. Wool is, for example, heat and moisture
regulating and offers superior seating comfort. It is, furthermore, an extremely durable material with a long lifespan, retaining both its colour and beautiful expression over time.
Excess wool from the production processes has always been
recycled at Gabriel, and this is an integral environmental feature
that contributes positively to our complete wool portfolio.
Recycled polyester
– the fibre that can be reused again and again
Gabriel’s preferred synthetic fibre is polyester, because it is
a very functional fibre with an extensive range of technical
properties that makes it highly suitable for upholstery. Polyester is, for instance, a very durable and lightfast material that
retains its colour, shape, and beautiful expression over time
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