Responsibility is concrete actions

We invest in the circular economy thinking and go through the product life cycle from the designer’s desk to a finished piece of furniture. We prefer environmentally sustainable materials and manufacturing methods. This comes to life for example through our certified quality (ISO 9001) and environmental systems (ISO 14001) and by employing the certified tracking system for wood origin, PEFC (CoC) to support sustainable forestry. We emphasize the origin of materials, energy consumption, the use of chemicals, and the volume of waste generated up until the recycling at the end of each product’s lifecycle.

To learn more about ISKU’s responsibility acts 2011-2020, see the Gallery of Achievement here.

Forerunner in eco-friendly materials, production and packaging

For us at ISKU, responsibility means concrete actions in developing our quality and lifecycle thinking. The long lifespan and high level of recyclability of our products save natural resources and reduces the amount of waste.

Because of the low level of VOC emissions and other environmental burdens, ISKU’s production operations have not required an environmental permit since 2015. We are also the only industrial company in the Finnish furniture sector that uses a PEFC (Chain of Custody) system to track the origin of the used timber. A number of our products have also been awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. ISKU’s Still and Step+ are the world’s first office chairs with M1 classification which proves that the emissions into indoor air are demonstrably low.

We also collaborate with other companies to embrace the circular economy thinking. For example, a Finnish luxury brand Lovia uses ISKU’s leftover leather to produce bags its ideology being based on ecological and ethical values.

Nook - the GESS Awards 2020 Winner

Nook is a novel space-in-space learning solution, successfully combining pedagogical sustainability and eco-friendly manufacturing methods.

The easy set-up of the lightweight Nook felt elements encourages team work, creativity and problem-solving skills with an emphasis on the concept of joyful learning. The manufacturing material consists mainly (60%) of recycled Polyethylene Teraphthalate (PET) plastic bottles and is further fully recyclable.

Nook was awarded as the Best Sustainable / Eco-friendly Product in the GESS Education Awards 2020. Read more here.

Kivikko - the GESS Awards 2019 Winner

We use the surplus material from the production of one product as the raw material for another. This is how, for example, the award-winning Kivikko seats and Amphi seating system designed by Henri Halla-aho, were created. The surplus material generated by the waste and cut-off pieces of foam plastic products is used as the raw material of Kivikko and Amphi. Again, the waste generated in the manufacture, is returned to the manufacturing process as raw material.

Kivikko seats were awarded as the Best Sustainable/Eco-friendly product in the GESS Education Awards 2019.

Read the story if Kivikko here

Environmental responsibility

More than 90% of all the wood we use is PEFC certified. For the treatment of wooden components, we use UV-curable and water-soluble varnishes, wood stains and paints. In our products, the metal parts are 100% recyclable and the upholstery fabrics do not contain harmful substances nor do the plastic parts include phthalates.

We have implemented geothermal and solar power systems at our HQ and over 99% of the waste generated at our production can be recycled as material or energy. Also, by using mostly renewable materials in our packaging, we have reduced the amount of plastic by 20 000 kilograms/year. In our purchases, we prefer Finnish, environmentally-friendly materials.

Social Responsibility

To us, social sustainability means close collaboration and responsibility for our customers, staff and partners. ISKU creates employment for thousands of Finns throughout its supply chain. By ensuring good working conditions, creating jobs in Finland and acting globally in a responsible manner, we carry out corporate social responsibility and long-term sustainability.

We embrace good corporate citizenship-thinking. Having actors such as the world’s best education innovation (WISE, 2014) “Me & MyCity” concept located within our HQ, is one vivid example of the social impact of innovative collaboration. Me & MyCity is a learning module on the economy, working life and society targeted at 12–13-year-olds, encouraging entrepreneurship in them.

All products are carefully tested

We carry out committed work to ensure that ISKU products are safely manufactured and safe to use. The foundation of ISKU’s product development is formed by compliance with the requirements of EN and ISO standards and comprehensive testing. We test the strength, stability and safety or our products and the durability of the surface materials.

The products are tested at various stages of the product development process and in spot tests during production. ISKU has its own testing laboratory where hundreds of products go through the process of multiple tests every year.