Consumer goods

OVEUN

CHAIRS AND ARMCHAIRS FOR THE GERIATRIC AND SOCIAL CARE SECTOR

THE GERIATRIC CHAIR MARKET IS EVOLVING. THE PROFILE OF RESIDENTS WITH GREATER COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT, demands a more adapted and resistant product; green public procurement requires a more competitive and demanding product in terms of regulations; and in addition, care homes also compete in a private market where image is vital. The absence of eco-designed products in this sector and of companies that base their commercial arguments on sustainability parameters offers an innovative opportunity for the development of eco-design and sustainable lines.

GERODAN, a company specialised in geriatric and social care equipment, leads OVEUN, with the collaboration of the eco-design and LCA consultancy IK INGENIERIA and the multidisciplinary design studio AIBA DISEÑO.

GERODAN
OBJECTIVES
  • Design a collection of geriatric armchairs and chairs for geriatric and social care equipment, applying eco-design criteria
  • Strategically position GERODAN on this market as a leading manufacturer of these products.
RESULTS
  • The LCA result of current GERODAN’s products showed an estimated lifetime of 8 years and that the raw materials (wood, varnish, foams and textiles) are responsible for 73% of the environmental impact obtained.
  • The OVEUN prototype was designed and manufactured with 47% less environmental impact: it emits 36% less GHG emissions, reducing the impact of raw materials by 47% and the impact of end-of-life management by 52%, while optimising transport volume of the chair by 40% (since the chair can be disassembled) and increases its recyclability.
  • The use of varnish and glue was reduced, as well as the weight of the wooden structure by replacing boards with pine wood, simplifying joints and eliminating iron fittings.
  • 40% reduction in the storage volume of an armchair. 
  • Redesigned joints and part configuration make OVEUN easy to disassemble and unfold, with easily-separable, mostly recyclable and to a lesser extent, reusable components.
  • The lifetime of the OVEUN prototype has been estimated at 15 years.
CONCLUSIONS
  • GERODAN will launch a new OVEUN collection consisting of new chairs with new elements (without fastenings, optional wings, wheels and footrests, extendible to two or three-piece seats, etc...) as well as applicable accessories.
  • Since the expected and estimated industrial cost of OVEUN is similar to that of the current replaceable product, it will be very positively welcomed on the market, given it provides much higher added-value, provided this assumption is met.
  • The possibility of obtaining an eco-label is considered key to adequately communicate the advantages of the product and establish it on the market over time.

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