Sustainability Report 2023-24 - Flipbook - Page 17
Materials
Gabriel’s development processes work towards ensuring that raw materials and components meet market requirements and expectations and that materials selection focuses
on the intended use.
Fabrics
Wool and polyester are the most important materials used in
Gabriel’s fabrics. Wool is Gabriel’s preferred natural fibre as
woollen fibres possess unique natural properties that other
materials do not offer. Polyester is the preferred synthetic
fibre. Gabriel is increasingly using recycled polyester, and as
a basic ingredient in new polyester designs.
Both wool and polyester have a range of technical properties
that make them very well suited for upholstery and ensure
that the fabric retains its colour and expression over time
despite hard wear and tear. Wool is biodegradable and polyester is easy to recycle. These materials have good stretch
and upholstery properties and are suitable for a variety of
designs, shapes and applications. The materials are specified to Gabriel’s own environmental and quality requirements
and international environmental standards. More details on
pages 24-25.
FurnMaster
FurnMaster offers a wide range of materials. The main materials used are furniture fabrics, wood, furniture foam,
plastic components and metal. FurnMaster continuously
expands its range of recycled or eco-labelled components. As
part of the Gabriel Group, FurnMaster offers easy access to
eco-labelled furniture fabrics from Gabriel. FurnMaster also
offers a range of certified leather products. All FurnMaster
units are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and offer
Focus Melange is a woven and felted furniture
fabric made of 100% worsted wool.
FSC MIX certified wood. FurnMaster offers a range of foam
products that carry the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 label and
can be used in furniture carrying the EU Ecolabel. Plastic
components made from recycled plastic are also offered. In
addition, FurnMaster uses FSC certified cardboard and recycled plastic for packaging.
FurnMaster recommends that glue is avoided where possible to reduce the use of chemicals and ensure easy disassembly and recycling of furniture products. If glue cannot
be avoided, FurnMaster offers effective water-based glues.
SampleMaster
Many of the materials used in sample production are based
on customer-specific requirements, but SampleMaster also
offers its own components. Materials consumption in the
development process is optimised to eliminate or reduce
waste.
SampleMaster recommends the use of eco-labelled materials and focuses on eliminating harmful chemicals.
Customers are therefore offered water-based paint and
lacquer for metal, plastic and wood and SampleMaster only
uses water-based glue. SampleMaster offers a variety of
certified wooden components and generally uses certified
cardboard and paper. Zero Waste saddle leather, which is
excess material from other productions, is among the materials used for straps, handles etc.
The TWEET couch was made by FurnMaster for
HOLMRIS B8. Redesigned with the Cyber fabric.
SampleMaster designs and produces customer-specific sales and sample concepts.
17
