SOLID SURFACE AND SUSTAINABILITY

We, at BSF Solid Surfaces Ltd , much like many of our counterparts and suppliers, are very committed to reducing our environmental impact as much as possible.

Our aim is to minimise our waste, as well as recycle more, use less paper, and generally be more aware of the little changes we can make to do our bit to be more sustainable as a business. We are always considering ways we can do better!

In the Solid Surface market today...

As an industry, we are all looking and researching ways to reduce the impact of what we do, which is the case in pretty much any industry.

At the moment there are a number of things being considered and tested in the Solid Surface market. Most products offer an element of recycled content within their ranges, some more than others.

This is not the only factor to consider, we need to think about shipping, production, reusability, and end-of-life for all products.

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Increasingly we are being made aware of ways to improve our carbon footprint, reduce waste, and compost more, yet, sadly, it is all a bit at odds with our consumerist society, where more is desired, and high-ticket brands are currency.

Perception in a world of smoke and mirrors.

But, the real issue remains, what can we do to help in being more sustainable in our everyday activities, in the work we do, and in how we spend our time?

I work in the luxury worktop market, where this subject has been on everyone’s lips for a long time…

We are all invested in doing our bit to minimise our impact on our wider world.

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As mentioned before, in the Solid Surface market, you will find that the manufacturers are making the production of more environmentally friendly products a priority.

One of the core components of Solid Surface is ATH, which is a fine white powder, produced as a by-product of aluminium mining, and acrylic. ATH is not just used in Solid Surface, it is also used in fire retardants, coatings, and plastic products such as GRP.

Durat

Durat has long been known as a product that is made using 30% recycled post-industrial plastic and is also 100% recyclable.

Durat is often used as a worktop material. It can also be used in the same manner as the more traditional materials, making items such as wash troughs, retail counters, reception desks, and wall cladding etc

Polygood

Polygood, a relative newcomer to the UK market, is also known as a cradle-to-cradle surface product made up of 100% recycled PS (Polystyrene) and 100% recyclable. Polygood is intended for use as wall cladding, shower walls, wash troughs, and door fronts. Due to the plastic composition of this product, it is not really intended for kitchen countertops, as temperatures of about 90-100 degrees will cause it to warp.

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Traditional Solid Surface materials normally comprise ATH, acrylic, pigments, and crunched Solid Surface.

Below is a list of some of the brands of Solid Surface, I have touched upon some of their attributes in this newsletter. To find out more about the brands of Solid Surface, please take a look at my previous newsletter, here

The more traditional Solid Surface materials are also doing their bit to help with this issue. Most manufacturers have reduced their carbon footprint by using different methods/routes of transportation and, in some cases, choosing to use other factories, thereby shortening transportation routes, and consuming less fuel.

Corian

Dupont, the manufacturer of Corian, the market leading Solid Surface, has taken this seriously, with a number of their colours containing recycled content, which is basically where discarded material is reused to form part of a new batch of sheet material.

They are certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) and can contain up to 20% recycled content. This is not the only way they are doing their bit though, they have also obtained both Eurofins and Greenguard certs, which highlight that the material itself produces no VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions and contains no formaldehyde. Corian is also SKA-rating compliant.

They are also researching other ways to reuse the product on a long-term basis, which is top of the agenda at the moment.

Hi Macs

LX Hausys, who provide Hi-Macs, has a very similar commitment to that of Dupont. Hi-Macs pre-consumer waste is recycled into new products, and a portion of their colours contain up to 16% recycled content and are also certified by the Scientific Certification Systems (SCS).?Hi-Macs also produces no VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions and are free of formaldehyde.

There are many more products within the Solid Surface worktop arena, which typically have undertaken many of the same tests and processes?as the market leaders, including Durasein, Hanex, Krion, Staron, and Tristone.

Durasein

Durasein who manufactures Durasein, is committed to the cause also. Durasein works to reuse its pre-consumer waste for different products. They also work to reduce the environmental impact their processes have on the wider world.

Hanex

Hanex is manufactured by Hyundai LLC, who have demonstrated their commitment as well by ensuring that Hanex has undergone a number of tests such as Greenguard, and has achieved SKA rating.

Kerrock

Kerrock is produced in Slovenia by Kolpa, and also commits to the requirements of Reach and LEED.

Krion

Krion is manufactured by Porcelanosa, who also has worked to show their commitment by getting a number of pertinent certifications for Krion

Staron

Staron is a Solid Surface produced by Lotte. Staron has achieved Greenguard certification status. They can also offer a number of colours with SCS-certified recycled content, which is up to 6% pre-consumer recycled resin and chip content.

Tristone

Tristone is another excellent Solid Surface supplied in the UK by Tristone UK. They also have a very real commitment to reducing their impact and ensuring that they operate as sustainably as possible, with Greenguard certificates and other certifications achieved.

Now let's move on to Reutilize...

There is also now a website dedicated to the reutilisation of Solid Surface, by virtue of selling stock that is no longer needed to other fabricators, as well as furniture makers, this website is known as www.reutilize.co.uk (courtesy of Counter Production). ??

There are so many other ways this can be beneficial!

Fabricators can now trade material with each other, lessening the need, in some cases, to purchase additional material, while ensuring surplus material is utilised rather than languishing in stores.

Furniture makers can also obtain smaller pieces of material which makes it more cost-effective for them, whilst using up unneeded material, making this a complete win-win situation.

Reintroducing Xen Tableau re-imagined...

We, at BSF Solid Surfaces Ltd are reintroducing our table offering, Xen Tableau.

This range will be different from before, as the aim will be to provide our customers with a choice of designs, made to order, only from material that we currently hold in stock (or is in stock on Reutilize), which will ensure that each and every item made will be entirely bespoke.

Looking to the future

If we all, as fabricators, start doing our bit, using Reutilze, collaborating with each other, us at BSF using our old stock to create Xen Tableu (as well as any other items) we can educate and innovate in our industry.

If we treat this as an opportunity to collaborate not compete, we might be able to make a positive impact, whilst still providing stylish, amazing, unique furniture for our clients.

Solid Surface is renewable, repairable and long lasting, which are some pretty strong reasons to consider it for projects, as it has the beauty that many clamour, whilst also providing the durability and longevity that most of us need.

One of the very most attractive features of Solid Surface, in general, is that it can be reused, and repurposed and that off-cuts can be used, rather than thrown away, which means that wastage can be greatly reduced at this point in the supply chain.

We, at BSF Solid Surfaces Ltd, have a commitment to reuse as much old material as possible, for tables, small items, cleats, and the underneath of units where the material will not be visible.

Solid Surface is built to last, it is warranted for 10 years, and, therefore, has a longer life cycle than many other products on the marketplace.

Really, there is so much more to sustainability than whether a product is made from recycled content or can be repurposed when no longer needed for its original use.

We also need to consider how products are cared for, do they require a lot of chemicals to clean them, and do they need regular sealing.

The challenge is on, for us all, to live our lives more mindfully of our impact on the future.

I truly believe that if we work together we can find solutions that are helpful to us all.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter, I hope you have found it beneficial.

We are all in this together.

Till next time, take care

Nicola x

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Nicola Barden is the Managing Director of her family business, BSF Solid Surfaces Ltd, offering exquisite bespoke counter surfaces from Solid Surface, a high-end, man-made stone, for commercial and residential projects, take a look at her website here ?????www.bsfsolidsurfaces.com

She can be contacted on?[email protected]?or give her a call on 01277 263603.

In her spare time, she can be found with her husband, son, three crazy cats, and bonkers dog.

They enjoy going to the cafe for " coffee and cake", walks, the woods, the zoo, the park, the rides, and anything that allows their energetic son to expend his endless amounts of energy!

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