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Innovation is a key driver in the creation of valuable, more sustainable and durable materials for interior design. To reduce our impact, we also act on raw materials by exploring less impacting ones.
Renewable materials
Although our surface materials are already prevalently made of renewable materials (wood fibres), Nemho, our centre of excellence for innovation and technology, is focused on further increasing materials’ renewable content by replacing raw materials of fossil origin with bio-based alternatives.
One of the last achievements is well represented by the Bloom technology, with the introduction of a renewable material like lignin in the core of our laminates.
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Durability
As the sustainability performance of products is evaluated throughout their entire lifetime, durability is one of the major features of sustainable products.
The central aim of a circular economy is to maintain the function and value of products, components and materials at the highest possible level and to extend the lifespan of such products. Maintaining a product’s value for as long as is sensible avoids the use of resources and the environmental impacts associated with creating a replacement.
The durability granted by the HPL surface properties, like for instance resistance to scratches, impact, abrasion, chemical substances, and heat, as well as, the FENIX signature properties, plays a strategic role in preventing the need for a product replacement.
This means reducing the use of resources and the production of waste, and the associated environmental impact.
One example of our efforts in making our surfaces even more durable is represented by the VIS technology.
Our suppliers play a key role too. We want to encourage an active dialogue with them on how to improve our environmental performance. Moreover, we aim to support our customers in their sustainability challenges. This is also well related to durability thanks to the creation of products that have a long lifespan and, thus, limit the need for their replacement.
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Innovation is a key driver in the creation of valuable, more sustainable and durable materials for interior design.
Innovation as a key driver
Technologies that produce results:
more renewable materials, more durability
Bloom Technology. Beyond the Surface.
Core innovation for Arpa high quality surfaces and for FENIX Innovative materials
Innovation and sustainability are key drivers in the creation of valuable and durable materials for interior design. True to its values, our centre of excellence for innovation and technology (Nemho) developed Bloom, a core technology for Arpa HPL and FENIX® innovative materials.
The core of our surfaces are made of paper (a renewable material of natural origin) and thermosetting resins containing phenol. The Bloom technology has introduced the use of lignin to reduce the amount of phenol in the core resin by 50%. Lignin is a natural bio-based polymer and a by-product of the wood industry. Defined as the glue that holds wood fibres together, it is very abundant and normally used by the pulp industry to produce energy. This use in thermosetting resins is innovative.
Bloom technology increases the bio-based composition of Arpa HPL and FENIX, while maintaining their well-known characteristics of strength, resistance, and durability.
The bio-based content of Arpa thin HPL with Bloom core technology, verified according to the NCS 16785:2016 certification scheme, is certified by an accredited third party with a declared minimum 64% bio-based content. The certificate is available for download on arpaindustriale.info.
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The bio-based content of FENIX NTM Bloom, verified according to NCS 16785:2016, is certified by an accredited third party with a declared minimum 67% bio-based content. The certificate is available for download on fenixforinteriors.info.
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VIS technology
VIS is an engineered surface with mineral components that significantly increase wear resistance and organic components that enhance the tactile experience of the textures.
With a wear resistance up to 20 times higher than standard HPL, VIS technology allows surfaces to be more durable.
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