OUTER PLANET 46 PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 06/24 www.petpla.net OUTER PLANET From simple partitions to complex ceiling structures Acoustic products made out of 100% PET bottles The company Impact Acoustic AG has the mission to make a real difference in the architecture and design industry. In 2020, the product Archisonic Felt was launched, a Cradle-to-Cradle certified acoustic absorber that forms the basis of all products of Impact Acoustic made of PET. PETplanet talked to Andrea Romano, Sustainability Manager at Impact Acoustic. PETplanet: Was there a special situation that triggered the founding of the company and what is the idea behind it? Andrea: The increasing global plastic pollution problem and the lack of effective PET recycling led Sven Erni and Jeffrey Ibañez to found Impact Acoustic in 2019. The idea behind our company is rooted in a mission to make a real difference in the architecture and design industry by driving sustainable development and innovative design. We saw an opportunity to address environmental concerns while also delivering superior acoustic control and stunning design. By embracing sustainability into every aspect of our business, from product development to manufacturing processes, we aim to lead by example and inspire positive change across the industry. Our goal is to create products that are not only beautiful and functional but also environmentally responsible, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for all. PETplanet: Where do you get the PET bottles from and how do you produce the material? Andrea: We purchase 60% recycled post-consumer PET from certified recycling facilities in China, which ensure strict recycling standards such as SCS Global. We then set up a Swiss start-up specialising in recycling facilities to produce high quality rPET with an efficiency of 97% using our products. This rate of 60% rPET and 40% PET represents a necessary trade-off to achieve a significant reduction in the use of virgin plastic, thereby increasing the circularity of the system and reducing the demand for new plastic. PETplanet: What is made from the material and where is it used? Andrea: Our product line, including Archisonic Felt and Archisonic Textile, offers a wide range of stylish solutions designed for environments requiring high acoustic control, such as offices, restaurants, hotels, and public spaces. Our product range features aesthetically pleasing ceiling and wall claddings, room and desk dividers, acoustic lighting, and various acoustic accessories. PETplanet: How do you create new products? Andrea: With our in-house design teams we develop and research the acoustic materials of the future. Every design process at its core includes sustainable and practical aspects to not only satisfy but also transform how acoustic products are used to improve spaces and aesthetic design. In addition, collaboration is at the heart of our ethos. We work closely with the world’s leading architects, designers and developers to bring their creative visions to life. Through open communication and a deep understanding of their needs, we create bespoke acoustic solutions that are perfectly tailored to each unique project. PETplanet: You believe that upcycling bottles is only a small part of the solution in the fight against plastic pollution. You support a worldwide ban of the production of PET bottles. What do you think is an alternative for the numerous applications in which a PET bottle is used? Andrea: It is important to note that there is no single, straightforward solution. The objective is to develop a framework that can support and facilitate collaboration between manufacturing and designers, enabling them to evaluate a prospective sustainability analysis in the context of the principles of the circular economy. One additional example is to close the loop with each material, applying the 10 R principles to ensure that the same product is used for the same functionality. PETplanet: What is your opinion on the current EU legislation? Andrea: These steps represent a significant move towards reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability. However, we must ensure that we have more experts in this field to guarantee thorough and effective implementation and innovation.For example, bio-PET could be produced using bio-sources on average for 30% of. In this way ethylene glycol is extracted from bio-sources. While this seems eco-friendly, it can lead to competition for resources between energy production and the food industry. Furthermore, a thorough examination is necessary of other impact categories, such as the use of pesticides in biosource cultivation, which can result in the loss of biodiversity and water consumption and so on. Therefore, a comprehensive approach involving professional expertise is essential to achieve a balance between sustainability goals and economic and resource considerations. PETplanet: How do you imagine the design and construction industry of the future? What are the three most important factors that you would change? Andrea: The design and construction industry must work together to evaluate different approaches and frameworks and form multidisciplinary teams that are able to evaluate design for X practices (design for reuse, design for remanufacturing, etc.). This will enable them to address the best optimal strategy for each specific case. The three main important factors that will change for the future are: 1. Increase collaboration and integrated design process 2. Investment in R/D and training 3. Regulation support and incentives. PETplanet: Thank you very much Andrea. www.impactacoustic.com
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