Fagerhult has been a manufacturing company for over 75 years. Throughout this time, we have always been careful with details and quality. But, what was right and real in 1945 is no longer an undisputable fact. In 2020 we started a rigorous sustainability work, with goals linked to the UN's global goals for sustainable development, to provide direction for our journey.
Among other things, we want our luminaires to consist of 80% renewable or recyclable materials before 2030. Multilume Re:Think, made of Solid Board, an entirely new material for the industry, is one step on that journey. Here you meet some of the people behind it.
OUR FRIENDS, AND OUR FRIEND’S FRIEND
But, where to start when you are a producing factory facing a challenge as big as this? Elin Stjernholm, R&D Manager at Fagerhult, explains.
– Well, first up we´ve started to introduce our suppliers to our ambitions in 2030 - how can we reach this quite ambitious goal together? We got a more in-depth knowledge about our suppliers; where their material comes from, which energy they use in their production and so on. But we did not stop there- the suppliers supplier was also of huge interest for us.
Parallel to the external sustainability check with the suppliers, Elin describes that there was also an internal process at Fagerhult.
– To get the big picture we made a life cycle analysis* for some of our products, Elin Stjernholm says. It was to clarify how big impact the material had, since we already knew that it mattered. We´ve always optimized the material in our products and made conscious choices, and moving towards more sustainable materials feels both natural and necessary. On top of this, we´ve also started projects with different universities in Sweden, focusing on sustainable materials.
"One of the first times we showed it, one of the reactions was “is that a pizza box or what is it?" Martin Bååth, design engineer
PAPER PLANES AND PIZZA BOXES
So, in order to put the knowledge into practice, the design engineers at Fagerhult got together for their reoccurring innovation forum to come up with new ideas. Martin Bååth, design engineer at Fagerhult, describes:
– The team and I started to brain storm and asked ourselves – would it be possible to change the material in a recessed flatpanel, our Multilume Slim? It is one of our high runners, and already a very good luminaire, so it would be quite a challenge. We reached out to one of our suppliers, and started to discuss how it could be done. Together we did some prototypes in different materials, until we found a material that would be suitable for this luminaire.
Even though it was the sort of innovation that the team was looking for, it was not an immediate hit for everyone.
– I remember one of the first times we showed it, and the reaction was “is that a pizza box or what is it?”, Martin says with a laugh. But most of all, my co-workers had an open mindset regarding this paper experiment, and it was exciting to continue the development process.
MAKING THE (PAPER) CUT
Since this material was totally new to all the members in the project, it raised new questions for the team to handle. Would it be safe? Would the luminaire break during installation? Is it possible to develop a luminaire in paper, without compromising with the light quality?
– Given that this material is organic, it behaves completely different compared to the dead materials that we are used to, such as steel and plastic, Martin Bååth explains. We needed to investigate thoroughly how the material would react to temperature shifts and moisture. Would it shift form or shape because of it? That material tolerance was something we needed to include in the design.
– Never have we tested so much, as on this one, says Martin Bååth with a smile. This material has cleared all tests that we need to perform, according to branch standards. It has really been a journey, and we have learned so much by bringing in a new material. Our supplier has been so helpful in learning us understand the whole chain. We have aquired a great in-depth knowledge on what we can do with this material, and it’s not only for packaging industrial. You can do so much more. For an example a very good flat panel.
"There is a lot of interesting investigations going on, and sustainability is certainly in the air." Elin Stjernholm, R&D manager, Fagerhult
NO MORE PLASTIC IN 2030?
But how will the future look, will we all have paper luminaires at home in 20 years?
– Well, we are just getting started, says Elin Stjernholm. It might be a luminaire with a lot of renewable- and recycled material. Or maybe, if we let ourselves think out of the box, which in important in this stage, there will be a technical plastic with no oil offered on the market. Maybe we can reduce so much material that the focus is just on the light source and its distribution, or perhaps can we take it all the way? Reused luminaries with light as a service? There is a lot of interesting investigations going on, and sustainability is certainly in the air.
* A life cycle assessment is an overall calculation of a luminaire's environmental impact during different stages of its life - such as manufacturing, distribution, usage, recycling etc.
If you wish to learn even more on Multilume Re:Think, you find the campaign site here.
Related News
The flexible office in a new light – the innovative lighting design of the future
The office is a place in constant change, and regardless of how the design, furnishing, and operations look, lighting is an important part of the work environment. However, the path to good light can be winding and inefficient, and many factors must align throughout the construction process through property owners, interior designers, and lighting planning. With Fagerhult's Control Track Versa track system, the flexible office is taking a significant step towards more sustainable and flexible lighting. Cecilia Niva is a product manager and has driven the development of the system. The goal has been to let the lighting of the future for innovative offices take shape, and now new, circular possibilities appear. “The dual track provides completely new freedom around lighting design and allows the light to follow the tenants' wishes and needs. You can easily combine indirect and direct light and reach 300 lux with only uplighting. The track provides the right basic level, totally independent of the luminaires, as well as more solutions for control. For example, you can have common uplights that turn on when someone is in the room, while the direct light at the workplace only turns on when someone sits down there,” says Cecilia Niva. Cecilia citat Today, many luminaires are discarded before the tenant has even moved in because the property owner wants to complete the premises at the same time as the tenant is happy to plan or change the lighting and interior design at a later stage. Control Track Versa is based on a 230V system, meaning each luminaire has its own driver. The system can, therefore, grow and change with the needs of the business, and the luminaires can be reused in a completely new way. “Many of our clients have asked for and will appreciate this. Our focus has always been to create a track system that separates infrastructure and luminaires and makes installation and use independent of each other. This provides benefits for both sustainability and flexibility,” continues Cecilia Niva. Flex office block FAGERHULT PRODUCTION OFFICE Greater flexibility also comes with more efficient use of the luminaires. The track system's easy handling and versatility mean that each luminaire can be moved, adapted, and reused repeatedly throughout its entire life cycle. “Long-term use positively affects sustainability over time and as the business and furnishings change. It also creates great creative space for lighting designers, architects and interior designers.” says Cecilia Niva. Creativity and flexibility During the development of Control Track Versa, one of the goals has been to make it easier for lighting designers, architects and interior designers to plan lighting and create high-quality environments. The track system can be described as a toolbox for lighting, as each lighting component is independent, and you can create lighting environments and effects more flexibly. The VIL luminaire makes uplights and downlights completely independent of each other as they can be mounted along entire rows, which provides an evenly lit ceiling in desired zones. Unlike a 48V system, no new calculations are needed when luminaires are added or moved along the track. “In a way, the track becomes its own infrastructure, offering endless combinations and great flexibility. It provides new opportunities to easily combine indirect and direct light without extensive lighting planning or major decisions before the tenant moves in. It also makes it easier for property owners and tenants to maintain, update and create good lighting environments over time,” concludes Cecilia Niva.
The office of the future — A place of change
Lighting offices has long been quite simple. Go-to solutions with 60x60 tiles, proven calculations, and an even and general light result. The advantage is that everyone can move around and sit anywhere—with the result that the light is not good for anyone. As the way we design and use the office changes, new needs arise regarding lighting. The office is a place for work, meetings, collaboration, and creativity. It follows the development of the business and changes among employees. At the same time, the general work environment in Sweden is regulated by the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s recommendations, and lighting is often designed according to established patterns. Henrik Clausen heads the Fagerhult Lighting Academy and believes that both businesses and employees feel good if the office is a pleasant environment—and that lighting contributes to this. The right light also affects many, but despite that, people often take the easy way out to achieve the work environment requirements. “I’m not saying that 60x60 tiles are bad. But they’re not good either, as the premises get the atmosphere of a rainy day. With well-thought-out flows and the proper lighting, we can create a light environment that resembles daylight and varies between the different parts of the office, and then we feel better,” - says Henrik Clausen. Quote Henrik Clausen But before an office is ready for occupancy, many parts need to fall into place, and lighting is one of them. Lisa Sandvik is a project manager at Tenant & Partner in Gothenburg and works with value-creating and sustainable property development with a focus on offices: “When we changed offices and got good lighting, it became clear how much it adds to the work environment. Nowadays, together with the architects, we like to raise the lighting issue with property owners at a much earlier stage and try to challenge them more.” says Lisa Sandvik. Flexible office bildcollage artikel 1 FAGERHULT PRODUCTION OFFICE At the same time, property owners are often far along in their design, and their processes around procurement and planning are in charge. If the costs are too high, they often settle for changing the lighting in one zone or a couple of rooms. “We have far too little knowledge about light, which is strange when we need it so much. Employees and individuals, as well as property owners, know very little about how light and contrasts affect us in everyday life – and not least in the workplace. Here, we need to learn more together and become better at finding the correct arguments and the right products to present to property owners,” says Lisa Sandvik. Quote Lisa Sandvik All projects involving offices are based on the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s recommendations and directives. But it is often difficult to demonstrate the value of good light. “Partners like us and the architects can convey more clearly to tenants what effects good lighting can have. At the same time, I would like to see property owners take a step forward in wanting to deliver prosperous and well-functioning workplaces. We need to learn more about light in Scandinavia. We have it both with us and against us,” says Lisa Sandvik. A trend that Tenant & Partner see today is that larger employers are advocating for employees to be in the office for a larger part of the workweek. Surveys show that people want to be able to work undisturbed and focused. “We see an increased need for focus rooms and quiet workplaces with good technology and the right ergonomics. Shared spaces are, of course, still needed, but above all, you want to be able to work focused and undisturbed in the same way you can do at home. The office, therefore, needs to be an environment where our employees feel comfortable, feel good, and are productive, and lighting is an important factor there,” concludes Lisa Sandvik.