GRADO 2025 ESG REPORT: A Total Reduction of 298.7KG CO2e Through Durable Product Design

Business self-assessments about a decade of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance by monitoring all the way through material selection, manufacturing, shipment, quality assurance, and maintenance can speak louder.

Business self-assessments about a decade of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance by monitoring all the way through material selection, manufacturing, shipment, quality assurance, and maintenance can speak louder. We emphasize buying recyclable, sustainable, and durable fabrics and wood materials, such as the self-recyclable Renewed Loop and formaldehyde-minimum E0 beech, to grant a solid initiation on ESG actions. We ensure that 70% of the manufacturing power is enabled by solar energy and elevate the transport of cargo by using more compact packaging that carries up to 12 cartons per shipment. We also focus on producing at least 10-year-period durable and versatile seating options with high-quality and resilient basics to avoid fast replacements. Last but by no means least, we call for worldwide and generational patience in addressing climate change with our signature Hippo Pouf at the 2024 Salone del Mobile.



ESG FUNDAMENTAL: WOOD & TEXTILE


WOOD: E0 BEECH FOR SHEEP CHAIR






THE SHEEP CHAIR IN E0 BEECH_ ft. PUBLIC READING FLOOR



Minimal Formaldehyde Emission


E0 Beech wood is lauded for its exceptionally low formaldehyde content, measured at only 0.5mg/L.  Formaldehyde is a common environmental pollutant and a known respiratory irritant, often present in many types of plywood and engineered wood products.  By using E0-rated materials, manufacturers demonstrate a commitment to health and safety for consumers and workers alike.  This aspect aligns seamlessly with ESG principles, emphasizing the importance of choosing materials that minimize toxic emissions while promoting safer environments domestically and commercially.


Durable and Impact-Resistant


E0 Beech boasts impressive physical properties, including a weight density that exceeds oak by 20% and an impact resistance that is 40% greater than standard wood.  Such characteristics indicate that E0 Beech not only performs well in terms of aesthetics but also in durability.  This durability translates into longevity for products made from this material, reducing the need for frequent replacements and ultimately contributing to waste reduction, a key concern under environmental governance.




TEXTILE: GABRIEL RENEWED LOOP & CAMIRA OCEANIC





MART SOFA IN CUSTOM GABRIEL RENEWED LOOP FABRIC


The Renewed Loop has emerged as a priority for ESG actions due to its innovative approach to sustainable textile production and waste management.  This internal recycling system focuses on textile-to-textile recycling, aiming to create a closed-loop cycle where waste is repurposed rather than discarded or incinerated.  Through a take-back system that collects manufacturing and consumer textile waste, Gabriel's method transforms scraps into recycled polyester pellets, reinforcing the idea of self-consumption of waste within the textile industry.



RECYCLE PLASTIC FROM DEBRIS CONVERT INTO SEAQUAL FOR FELTY BOX


EVERY SINGLE FELTY MADE OUT OF 25 RECYCLE PLASTIC BOTTLES


The Oceanic is crafted entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic, including materials salvaged from the oceans through the SEAQUAL Initiative, which unites communities to combat marine debris.  By converting discarded plastics into high-performance fabrics, the Oceanic Collection not only contributes to a waste-free environment but also promotes the circular economy. Furthermore, the use of OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified materials underscores our commitment to consumer health and safety while supporting global sustainability efforts.



ESG GUIDE: MANUFACTURING & SHIPMENT OF THE DURABLE SOFA



GRADO_SOLAR POWER ENGINE FOR MANUFACTURING


Traditional manufacturing processes consume 100 kWh of electricity, resulting in carbon emissions of approximately 60 kg CO2e. However, GRADO's innovative manufacturing methods utilize 70% solar energy, reducing energy consumption to only 30 kWh and resulting in emissions of 18 kg CO2e. For traditional transportation, it is assumed that the distance from the factory to the consumer is 1000 km. Using a diesel truck with an emission factor of 0.1 kg CO2e per kilometer, the calculation indicates that if each truckload carries ten sofas, each individual sofa contributes one-tenth of the total emissions. Therefore, the emissions attributed to each traditional sofa during transportation amount to 10 kg CO2e. GRADO has enhanced its transportation efficiency by 20% through a new compact packaging design, which allows for loading 12 products per truck. This results in a recalculated emissions figure for transportation. When factoring in the same distance and emission rate, the total emissions per durable sofa are now reduced to 8.3 kg CO2e.



SOURCE_National Standard of the People's Republic of China GB/T 26694-2024


When we examine the lifetime carbon emissions for both types of sofas, traditional sofas require replacement every five years, leading to a total emissions calculation of 376.6 kg CO2e over a 10-year period. This figure includes emissions from raw materials, the production process, and transportation. In contrast, durable sofas, which are designed for longevity and only need to be purchased once every ten years, exhibit significantly lower total emissions at 77.9 kg CO2e for the same duration.


This demonstrates that, over 10 years, the use of durable sofas results in a remarkable reduction of 298.7 kg CO2e in carbon emissions when compared to traditional sofas. This reduction in emissions can be further contextualized: it is equivalent to planting 13 trees, as one tree absorbs an average of 22 kg CO2e per year. Additionally, it represents a decrease in carbon emissions equivalent to driving 1,244 kilometers in a car or reducing household electricity consumption by 495 kWh, which corresponds to around 1.5 months of usage for an average family.



ESG CERTIFICATES: QUALITY & COMPLIANCE



GRADO INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATES & ONE-DECADE WARRANTY


We update the 10-year warranty as a reminder for consumers about the expected life cycle of our products, confirming after-sales maintenance and services. Furthermore, the raw materials are labeled Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and are ensured with environmental certifications such as LEED and GreenGuard, in compliance with stringent sustainability standards. Acting upon our determination on ESG, which accordingly gains wide attention at Salone del Mobile as intended, is the eco check-in point where we lay down a Hippo Pouf, representing our concerns for the challenges of climate change. Additionally, the non-toxic, zero-VOC clear wood varnish, such as the black glossy water-based paint on the surface of the ash wood for the Ji chair, elevates its texture significantly.



2024 SALONE DEL MOBILE_HIPPO POUF_ART SCULPTURE



2024 SALONE DEL MOBILE_ GRADO SHOWROOM SIGNATURE_HIPPO POUF CHECK-IN POINT



WATER-BASED PAINT VARNISH SPRAY OVER THE NATURAL WOOD CHAIR


Designers Introduction