Helping to Save the Planet, One Chair at a Time
Herman Miller and BASF collaborate to make Aeron Chair MBDC Silver
WYANDOTTE, MI, May 13, 2009 -- BASF's Petra® PET from the North American Engineering Plastics product portfolio and Elastofoam® Flexible polyurethane integral skin are key ingredients in Herman Miller's legendary Aeron chair that recently achieved McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) Cradle-to- Cradle Silver Certification. MBDC and Herman Miller's own Design for the Environment (DfE) protocols were used to design the Aeron Chair to eliminate waste, and develop a product that is inherently healthy and safe. DfE also emphasizes material chemistry and safety, product disassembly and recyclability of materials, and maximizing use of materials with recycled content.
Introduced in 1994, the Aeron Chair seat back and frame has always been manufactured with Petra 7030. BASF's Petra helps the Aeron realize up to 64 percent recycled content and 94 percent recyclability. Since Petra 7030 is made from recycled two-liter plastic beverage bottles, each Aeron chair can save approximately 36 bottles from landfills. Additionally, the Aeron is assembled with 100 percent renewable energy, is GREENGUARD certified, and helps to achieve USGBC LEED points.
Herman Miller, a leading global provider of office furniture and related services renowned for its commitment to environmental sustainability, was looking to replace PVC in the arm pad of their famous Aeron chair. They needed a PVC-free arm pad that was capable of meeting the MBDC Cradle-to-Cradle Design Protocol. BASF representatives, knowing that the company had the materials to handle the job, enlisted the Polyurethane team to collaborate in the design process.
The team identified Elastofoam integral skin; a two-component polyurethane system that totally integrates soft polyurethane elastomeric skin and flexible foam in one single-step process as the perfect replacement for PVC in the arm pad application.
Elastofoam integral skin offers soft feel with complex surface design, high abrasion resistance, and elasticity retention after environmental exposure. Elastofoam is 100 percent solid, solvent-free and plasticizer-free. Elastofoam also meets California Technical Bulletin 117, a stringent flammability regulation for furniture, without the use of halogenated flame retardants. Through the mold surface design, Elastofoam gives the freedom to branch out into an endless array of textures and grains. The added layer of water-based in-mold coating can be incorporated to provide UV-stability and multi-tone color options.
Elastofoam arm pads are created in one mold, with no secondary process. That means shorter cycle times, reduced labor costs, and improved productivity. For a press photo, please go to this link:
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/05-13-09_HermanMillerChair.jpg
Suggested caption: By using BASF products, Herman Miller's legendary Aeron chair is good for the environment, good for your body and an investment in sustainable design.
About Herman Miller, Inc.
Herman Miller strives to create a better world around you--with inventive designs and services that enhance the places where people work, heal, learn, and live, and through its commitment to social responsibility. In fiscal 2008, the company's award-winning products and strategic consulting services generated more than $2 billion in revenue. Recognized both for its innovative products and business practices, in 2008 Herman Miller was again cited by FORTUNE as both the "Most Admired" in its industry and among the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America, while Fast Company named Herman Miller among the world's "Fast 50" most innovative companies. Herman Miller trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MLHR.
BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $17.5 billion in 2008. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.
BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals, as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than 62 billion in 2008. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
For more information contact:
Kathy Dennis
BASF Corporation
Tel: (973) 245-6288
E-mail: kathy.dennis@basf.com
