2021/08/23
Product press release

[Industry’s first] Itoki delivers furniture made from the sustainable plant “kenaf”

To realize a sustainable society, ITOKI contributes with Planet-friendly furniture.

ITOKI CORPORATION (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshiro Hirai) has jointly developed with Toyota Boshoku Corporation the first office furniture made from kenaf, and delivered it to Material Corporation.

[Industry’s first] Itoki delivers furniture made from the sustainable plant “kenaf”

Itoki's vision statement is `` Vibrant People, Beautiful Planet.'' and we aim to both contribute to the SDGs and earn profits through our business. We have recently delivered furniture made from kenaf, which was jointly developed by Toyota Boshoku Corporation and Itoki, to Material Corporation.

What is kenaf?

ケナフ

Kenaf is an annual herb that can be harvested in a short period of time and is widely cultivated in tropical regions such as Southeast Asia. It is characterized by its fast growth and high yield of fiber. It also has a high ability to absorb carbon dioxide during growth (approximately 7 times that of conifers), making it a plant that contributes to the prevention of Planet warming.

kenaf fiber

kenaf fiber

Using kenaf as a base material reduces CO2 emissions generated during the manufacturing process

CO2 absorption capacity

CO2 absorption capacity

Initiatives by Toyota Boshoku and Itoki

トヨタ紡織様 x イトーキ

While Toyota Boshoku is a manufacturer, it also cultivates raw materials, such as growing kenaf in Indonesia, with the aim of making all interior parts from plants. Kenaf board, which is made by heating and molding a mat made from kenaf fibers and polypropylene fibers, is often used in automobile interior parts, and while reducing the amount of conventional petroleum-based resin used, kenaf has the highest fiber tensile strength among natural fibers. This makes it lightweight and highly rigid.

Itoki announced the SDGs Declaration in 2019, and has set environmental management as one of its important issues, and is working to solve social issues through its business. The surface of kenaf board has a new design that allows you to feel the texture of kenaf, and in order to manufacture furniture that combines this natural design with environmental friendliness, we are collaborating with Toyota Boshoku to develop furniture using kenaf board. I did.

Products delivered to Materials

こちらのスツールと天板にケナフを活用

Kenaf is used for this stool and top plate.
By using kenaf board, which is stronger and lighter than wooden boards, it is easy to carry.

About Material Co., Ltd.

With the mission of ``making everyone involved with a brand happy'', Material, which has been involved in building many clients' brands as a PR partner, announced in July 2021 that in addition to expanding the number of employees due to the increase in group companies. In anticipation of changes in work styles due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have expanded the floor space of our Tokyo headquarters with the aim of creating an office that is full of teamwork. The new office space has many booths where online meetings can be held, as well as a number of mechanisms that encourage accidental communication among teams, and the coworking space has been designed to encourage encounters, expansion, and creation. We are creating spaces in various places to make this a reality. ITOKI supported the creation of a new office with an eye on the after-corona era.

At ITOKI, we will continue to develop new products using kenaf and consider replacing plastic components while taking advantage of kenaf's environmental performance.As a manufacturer, we aim to realize a decarbonized society from various aspects, and we will We will contribute to a sustainable society with a focus on

Itoki's SDGs

ITOKI recognizes that Planet environmental issues are the most important management issue, in order to pass on to the future a beautiful Planet that continues to live and a society rich in nature in which people live actively. Our environmental policy is to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by making effective use of limited resources, conserving biodiversity, and reducing the burden on Planet environment.

In 2019, we announced the ITOKI S DGs Declaration, which states that we will contribute to the realization of individual happiness, corporate happiness, and society's happiness by pursuing both corporate economic value and solving social issues. Masu.

Itoki SDGs Declaration: Itoki SDGs Declaration

About ITOKI's office-related business

ITOKI CORPORATION was founded in 1890. With the mission statement of "We Design Tomorrow. We Design WORK-Style." the company supports the creation of various “Space," “Environment," and “Place" with a wide lineup of office furniture, logistics equipment, ICT and audiovisual equipment, and building materials and interior equipment. In October 2018, ITOKI opened its new head office, "ITOKI TOKYO XORK" to transform its own WORK-Style and create new value. With the keywords of "freedom" and "autonomy" in mind, the company is challenging itself with new work styles that maximize the discretion of each individual and autonomously design their own work style.

To this release
Contact information

ITOKI CORPORATION

About the development of furniture using kenaf
Product Development Headquarters Product Management Department

About material delivery
Sales Headquarters Work Style Design Department

press personnel
Contact information

株式会社イトーキ
コーポレートコミュニケーション部
TEL:03-6910-3910

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