Nordic brand, Orthex, has partnered with Stora Enso to create a new range of bio-based kitchen tools, reducing the carbon footprint of the products by up to 80 per cent
Orthex and Stora Enso have teamed up to bring to the market a new range of kitchen tools made from a new biocomposite material which combines the best qualities of wood and plastic, which will be on show at upcoming housewares show, Exclusively Housewares in London, June 11-12.
The bio-based material used to replace fossil-based plastic is made from spruce and sugarcane which reduces the carbon footprint of the products by up to 80 per cent.
“The properties of the GastroMax BIO range correspond to those of plastic utensils: the products are durable, hygienic and dishwasher-safe. The spruce in the biocomposite makes the material tough and hard,†says Orthex CEO, Alexander Rosenlew.
Consumers are increasingly interested in durable, bio-based materials as well as Nordic quality and reliability. The material and product design in the Nordic countries has been led by the needs of home kitchens.
In the GastroMax BIO products, the fossil-based plastic is replaced by a bio-based material made from spruce and sugarcane in Sweden. The kitchen range is produced at Orthex factories in Finland and Sweden.
“In the new GastroMax BIO kitchen products, the plastic has been replaced with a 98 per cent bio-based material. This completely new kind of product range is a unique novelty also on the international market,†Alexander adds.
The new product range contains nine different products for the home kitchen: three cutting boards of different sizes, a turner, butter knife, cheese slicer, peeling knife, potato masher and can opener.
The active development of biomaterial into food-grade products has now yielded concrete results in the new range of kitchen tools.
“The properties of the GastroMax BIO range correspond to those of plastic kitchen tools: the products are not only durable, but also hygienic and dishwasher-safe. The spruce in the biocomposite makes the material tough and hard,†says Alexander.
“The products designed and manufactured in the Nordic countries are made to last for years to come. We will strive to invest in bio-based and recycled raw materials also in the future. Our ambitious objective is that within two years, 20 per cent of our production is bio-based and recycled plastics.â€
Orthex will present this new range at Exclusively Housewares, June 11-12, 2019, in London.
