Documented environmental footprint for the entire Ekornes distribution chain
The need for comprehensive environmental information in a product is becoming increasingly important. Pla-Mek® is committed to making it easy for customers to document their environmental footprint. When we see an opportunity for improvement, we contact our customers. This time to reduce the footprint of the Stressless® Dining Chair from Ekornes.
11.06.2025
FigurFootprint throughout the distribution chain
Collaboration that delivers documented environmental benefits
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Requirements for environmental footprint documentation are becoming increasingly strict—especially in the plastics industry. Many of our customers find it challenging to obtain reliable data across the entire value chain. At the same time, expectations from consumers and regulators for sustainable products with verified impact continue to grow.
Our approach – proactive and solution-oriented
At Pla-Mek®, we take responsibility—even when it’s not expected.
When we identify opportunities to improve the environmental footprint of a product, we reach out to the customer. We assess material choices, production methods and logistics, and provide specific recommendations.
Our goal is to make it easy for our customers to make better choices—without compromising on function, design or delivery reliability.
Case: Collaboration with Ekornes
This approach led to a collaboration with Ekornes, where Pla-Mek® produces plastic components for the Stressless® Dining chair. Instead of virgin plastic, we proposed using recycled material in the seat, back and mechanism.
The project received support from the Norwegian Trade and Environment Fund, and documentation was developed in collaboration with Energiråd.
The result – measurable CO₂ savings and added customer value
By replacing virgin plastic with recycled raw material, we achieved a reduction of 14.5 kg CO₂ per chair, documented through a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA).
The experience also led to improvements in other Ekornes products. For example, the insert plate in the Stressless® stool is now produced with 50% recycled plastic, resulting in a 23.87% CO₂ reduction per unit.
Total estimated savings in the first year: 579 tons of CO₂—with further reductions expected as production scales.
Documentation and collaboration throughout the value chain
To ensure reliable documentation, we worked closely with Energiråd, who conducted a full LCA of the components. We collected data from the entire value chain—from raw material extraction to transport and production. Pla-Mek® provides customers with documentation that enables them to report the footprint of the entire component production. This makes it easier for our customers to communicate sustainability efforts to their own stakeholders.
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Partner perspectives
Based on 2022 production data, replacing virgin plastic with recycled materials results in a CO₂ saving of 14.5 kg per chair.
Modi M. Elisa
LCA-spesialist, Energiråd
Pla-Mek’s continuous focus on environmentally friendly materials and production methods gives them a unique ability to help customers reduce product footprints.
Børge Heggen Johansen
Fagsjef bærekraft og ytre miljø, Energiråd
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This is what our customers say
Pla-Mek’s documentation is essential for us to track total lifecycle consumption. It helps us reach our sustainability goals.
Solveig Gaundal
Compliance & CSR Manager, Ekornes
Pla-Mek has provided valuable expertise in material selection, design adaptation and tooling. Their proximity, collaboration and technical insight made the choice easy.
Lars Urtegård
Produktsjef Stressless® Dining
