Materialising Sustainability
What makes a surface exceptional goes beyond what you can see. Behind every Formica surface is a commitment to reducing impact and creating lasting value.
Durable surfaces with a renewable content
Since 1913, when Formica Group invented the original high pressure laminate, the goal has been to create resistant and durable long lasting products. Durability means preventing the need for product replacement and, consequently, reducing the use of resources and the production of waste, with the associated environmental impact. This has a real significance if we consider the sustainability circularity model. Additionally, the primary material used to create our decorative laminates is sustainably-sourced paper, a renewable raw material.
Making Real Impact For Less Impact
Our sustainability mission underlines the constant commitment of Broadview, the holding company we are part of. It means putting into action investments to minimise the environmental impact in all of the operations and products and, consequently, reduce our footprint. This long-term strategy consists of two main pillars: the replacement of the most impactful inputs and the improvement of the efficiency of our materials and processes.
Besides acting on manufacturing process, our Group is continuously exploring less impacting raw materials. Although Formica® Laminate is already prevalently made of renewable materials (wood fibres), Nemho—our centre of excellence for technology—is focused on further increasing products’ renewable content by replacing raw materials of fossil origin with bio-based alternatives.
Moreover, durability granted by the laminate surface properties, for instance resistance to scratches, impact, abrasion, chemical substances, and heat, 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.
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.
So, even though we still have an impact, we are actively working on reducing it.
Besides acting on manufacturing process, our Group is continuously exploring less impacting raw materials. Although Formica® Laminate is already prevalently made of renewable materials (wood fibres), Nemho—our centre of excellence for technology—is focused on further increasing products’ renewable content by replacing raw materials of fossil origin with bio-based alternatives.
Moreover, durability granted by the laminate surface properties, for instance resistance to scratches, impact, abrasion, chemical substances, and heat, 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.
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.
So, even though we still have an impact, we are actively working on reducing it.
Sustainability Approach
As part of the global materials division of Broadview Holding - alongside other well-known brands, like Trespa, Arpa, FENIX, Westag, Homapal and Direct Online Services - reducing the carbon footprint is a key part of our overall sustainability policy.
Carbon Footprint and Certification Schemes
Reducing Formica® Laminate’s carbon footprint is a key component of our sustainability approach. We are convinced that improving our environmental footprint is not only the right thing to do, but it is also essential to the continuity of the brand.
