Haworth Announces Closed-Loop Manufacturing Process
The first-in-the-industry sustainable milestone is for plastic on the Fern ergonomic chair
Holland, Mich. – March 31, 2025 – Haworth has announced a closed-loop manufacturing process, a first in the furniture industry. The process focuses on the plastic in Fern ergonomic office chairs and will be in production by second quarter 2025. Haworth partnered with vendors Royal Technologies and PADNOS on this achievement.
Haworth’s closed-loop manufacturing process for Fern is a significant milestone. While using post- industrial materials isn’t unique, this process is a true closed-loop innovation – plastic generated during the production of Fern and recycled from end-of-life chairs is used to create new chairs without losing value and utility. This process reduces waste and raw material usage while saving energy.
“Haworth has several significant achievements on our sustainable journey and is pushing forward with innovations like these. We look at every process and part, continuously figuring out ways to do it better,” said Katie Chapman, Haworth Senior Sustainability Engineer. “We were able to move from a process deemed not possible to a true closed-loop breakthrough with incredible teamwork from Royal Technologies and PADNOS.”
“This is certainly important for Haworth’s sustainability… it’s also exciting for innovation,” said Michael Warsaw, Haworth Vice President & Design Officer – Global Design, Innovation and Sustainability. “This is an example of the organization and our partners moving beyond the way the industry has always done things. We are taking another step toward truly no waste processes.”
Closed-loop materials reduce the embodied carbon of the component and product, which makes progress toward Haworth’s circular economy and net zero goals. Haworth is on a continuous sustainability journey – this process will be used as best practice for the seating portfolio, as well as additional pieces, products and material options. The closed-loop process is currently for black plastic on Fern in North American manufacturing.
Fern is manufactured in a zero landfill, ISO 9001 and 14001 certified facility and can be easily disassembled at the end of its useful life. This product is designed to endure and is made of long-lasting, high-quality materials. Fern’s Product Environmental Data Sheet is downloadable here and here on Ecomedes.
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Haworth believes great spaces empower people to thrive and work their best. As a leading global furniture maker, the company partners with customers, dealers and influencers to create spaces that result in effective people and efficient real estate. Haworth’s customer-first approach comes from an entrepreneurial spirit, design-forward thinking and multicultural perspectives. Founded in 1948, Haworth is a privately-owned company operating in more than 150 countries through a global network of 400 dealers and 8,000 employees. Headquartered in Holland, Michigan, U.S.A., the company has sales of $2.57 billion USD.