Kataba, editor of contemporary, ethical and local furniture
Some time ago we told you about the various measures taken by leaders in the office furniture industry. Ambitious policies in terms of ecological impact. While Uncle Sam’s manufacturers are organizing for a more circular economy, French industry is no exception. By creating one of the first structures dedicated to short-circuit production of artisanal and contemporary furniture, the Kataba brand relies on a network of craftsmen in order to produce in a virtuous way.
Kataba calls on artisans all over France to produce its creations. Thus allowing it to position itself as close as possible to its customers. Furniture in the circular economy: or how to manufacture while being eco-responsible. With the help of ADEME, KATABA’s approach has been enriched with a rigorous eco-design.
Eco-design, a product-oriented approach.
The complete analysis of the life cycle of products and their use, helps the user to achieve responsible consumption. Eco-design meets the principles of sustainable development. “Our collection is thus intended to reflect your ambition and your commitments, both generous and resolutely sustainable”. Rigorous work has been carried out on material supplies. Assembly processes or finishing products as well. All in a perpetual concern to minimize the impacts associated with the steps preceding the use of offices. Result, a carbon footprint divided by 4
Second life raw materials.
To exceed the environmental performance achieved with eco-design, the company has developed processes using second-life raw materials. Undoubtedly sober thanks to these reuse methods, Kataba has truly entered a circular economy. The “upcycled” version of his Kompa collection (designer Samuel Accoceberry) is now 87% less CO2 emitting. Well below the average for market offices. This is how, with environmentally friendly products, the Kataba collection strives to tell the story of its customers’ commitment to desirable sobriety. And without ever giving up aesthetics and quality,
Reparability, another environmental lever.
The company has done everything possible to extend the life of its furniture. In particular by increasing their “repairability”. Secondly, it was possible to apply an “upcycling” method to the eco-designed KOMPA office. Developed in partnership with VALDELIA and the integration group ARES. This technique consists of re-using the waste of elements related to the furniture industry. Thanks to this process, carbon emissions have been reduced by up to 87% compared to the average reference. The goal of further reduction seems very reasonably achievable in the future. This encouraging prospect confirms Kataba in its approach. The ecological transition is possible thanks to the alliance of design and eco-design. Up-cycling thus makes it possible to respond to the ecological emergency. It is essential to think about the use of waste in order to promote the circular economy without delay. In this new system, waste turns into secondary raw material
Aesthetics are not left out.
KATABA calls on contemporary and committed designers. Artisans who are always concerned about their relationship to the material, to the nature and to the purpose of their work. KATABA has surrounded itself with the know-how of the best French ceramists, cabinetmakers and sheet metal workers. Thus allowing him to offer, through his collection, the fruit of decades of experience. An expertise acquired by these women and men over the hours spent in the workshop. To confront their tools with the material.
A Social Approach.
By producing in France, KATABA defends social standards among the best in the world. It works with several integration companies for its logistics and certain stages of production. KATABA is thus committed to a human and inclusive society. The environmental aspect is paramount, through local, eco-designed production, favoring reuse and circular economy logics. “Furniture made by artisans represents less than 5% of the market”, according to Luc Monvoisin, founder of Kataba. He seeks to rebuild a missing link in the furniture value chain. “The aim of the game is to get designers and craftsmen to collaborate on the development of furniture, in order to produce efficient and coherent pieces”. It is also a “guarantee vis-à-vis customers, in terms of the quality of the design and the positioning of the products”.