Fishing Nets, Used Plastic Bottles, and Post-Industrial Material: This is Path!

07/02/2023 - Path, the world’s most sustainable task chair, by Todd Bracher for Humanscale, will be exhibiting at the upcoming Stockholm Furniture Fair before its global launch on 6 March 2023. This will also be the occasion to present a new collaboration with high-performance design textiles manufacturer Kvadrat. 

Designed by Todd Bracher and the Humanscale Design Studio, the Path chair comprises nearly ten kilograms of recycled materials, including reclaimed fishing nets, used plastic bottles, and post-industrial material. 

Path is the third in a series of ‘Ocean’ chairs and the latest product addition to Humanscale’s commitment to making a net positive impact on the planet. It is designed to feel warm and natural in any environment. The simple rounded silhouette sits beautifully within both the office and homeworking environments. Exclusively created for the Path chair, the proprietary Revital textile colour palette is inspired by warm, elegant and neutral hues, bringing the natural world's beauty to the workplace.  Humanscale was the first manufacturer to launch a sustainable task chair made with ocean plastic when it introduced the Smart Ocean chair in 2018. Following that success, Humanscale introduced the Liberty Ocean chair. Both of these products use nearly a kilogram of recycled fishing nets, widely regarded as the most harmful type of plastic in the ocean. In this way, Humanscale directly supports clean oceans by using abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing nets that damage delicate ecosystems and the marine life that inhabit them.

The Humanscale stand at Stockholm will demonstrate the sustainable properties of Path with a display that allows visitors to experience why it is the world’s most sustainable task chair. For example, over 4kg of ocean plastics are recycled into each chair, and 68 plastic bottles are used in Path’s FormSense Eco Knit back. All these help make Path, climate positive. Each time a Path is made, the planet is measurably better off. 

Stockholm Furniture Fair will also be the place to see the latest collaboration between Kvadrat and Humanscale. Textiles are integral to the design and performance of Humanscale chairs, and they have meticulously selected ones that are not only high quality but better for the environment. These include more patterns and softer textures that fit any space or style. Samples of all the new textiles will be on display on the iconic Freedom chair. Humanscale will also use the fair to tell the story of its performance-centric design. Each of their ergonomic products are designed for maximum comfort, long serviceable life and a minimal environmental footprint. Visitors to the stand will discover how Humanscale’s award-winning designs have intuitive features and fewer manual controls, making them easier to use without sacrificing a stylish aesthetic. 

Across its product portfolio, Humanscale is committed to designing with the health of consumers and the planet in mind. Twenty-six products, which represent over sixty percent of sales, are climate, water, and energy positive as certified by the International Living Future Institute’s Living Product Challenge (LPC), considered the most advanced sustainability standard for products, which is 25 more than any other company in a similar industry.

In addition to using recycling materials and eliminating Red List chemicals from the coatings, finishes and additives used in manufacturing its products, Humanscale also publishes Declare labels for its products. Described as a ‘nutritional label for products,’ this gives complete transparency of materials and ingredients in each product, keeping consumers informed and reassured about their purchases. 

 

Humanscale’s showcase at Stockholm reinforces its position as a leader in sustainable products that work harmoniously together, driving well-being and productivity at work.