IKEA Älmhult (Sweden) has become an investor in new sustainable materials that assist with mitigating climate change. Working collaboratively with ZwickRoell, IKEA is using the versatile LTM 3kN machine to research and optimize the properties of recycled materials.
This investment allows IKEA to develop products digitally and efficiently while saving time and money for materials testing and modifications.
Furniture Company IKEA: Focus on Sustainability
Swedish furniture company IKEA was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad. It began as a small mail-order business that sold household products like wallets, pens, and picture frames. IKEA began producing furniture in the 1950s. Its clever concept for reducing costs and easing transportation was to sell flat-packaged furniture and allow customers to assemble it themselves.
This approach was a great success and significantly contributed to the company's global expansion. Today, the world knows IKEA for its large array of affordable, high-quality furniture and home accessories.
IKEA employs over 200,000 people and has over 400 stores in over 50 countries. The company is committed to sustainability and produces most products using eco-friendly materials.
Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG
ZwickRoell Top Competences
- Reliable and precise results in developing high-quality products.
- High-level machine quality and robust design for daily use.
- Reliable service and great support from ZRS Testing System.
- Materials testing under axial and torsional load.
- Excellent collaboration with ZwickRoell demo lab in Germany.
Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG
The Task
Environmentally-Friendly Products Based on Recycled Materials
IKEA is dedicated to creating sustainable furniture and has the ambition to raise the proportion of recycled material in its products to actively contribute to environmental protection. Through the use of recycled materials, IKEA aims to provide eco-friendly products that satisfy the needs of the customer while reducing environmental impact.
To ensure that product quality remains high while utilizing recycled materials, IKEA is investing in research and development that offers a better comprehension of the properties and performance capabilities of materials and continues to optimize them.
These efforts are seen in IKEA’s long-term goals of producing high-quality furniture that is environmentally friendly while satisfying the customer and contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG
The ZwickRoell Solution
LTM Supports Materials Testing Under Axial and Torsional Load
To determine the necessary properties for recycled materials used in product development, IKEA's branch in Älmhult, Sweden, acquired an LTM testing machine from ZwickRoell. This machine supports highly precise materials testing under axial and torsional loads.
The new material data gained from these tests is utilized for computer system calculations, where new products are developed (finite element method).
The computers calculate the product strength, allowing digital and virtual product development.
Anders Sandahl, Service and Maintenance, Mikael Östensson, Test Development Engineer, Marko Kokkonen, Test Development Engineer (left to right). Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG
Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG
By using flexible and versatile instruments, we save a lot of time and money. After a thorough preliminary analysis, we chose the LTM 3kN from ZwickRoell. Now we can offer even higher quality products developed with sustainability in mind.
Marko Kokkonen, Test Development Engineer, IKEA
The Result
Saving Time and Money
Historically, IKEA quality developers could only perform static tests until the specimen broke. Because of its greater flexibility and versatility, an LTM testing machine can run more extensive tests.
It is also possible to carry out dynamic tests to obtain detailed results useful for modifying materials to fulfill the product purpose and ensure high quality. This improves the efficiency of developing the correct material and designing for the appropriate application. The materials and prototypes developed with the ZwickRoell LTM testing machine are subjected to physical tests. By using this method, IKEA saves time and money.
“We have high demands when it comes to our development department, and have therefore carried out a thorough feasibility study. Through close cooperation with ZwickRoell's demo lab in Germany, which was quick and accommodating, we were able to make an informed and very good decision,” says Marko Kokkonen, IKEA Test Development Engineer. He goes on to add: “Other important factors that led to our decision were the strong local support and service provided by ZRS Testing System.”
Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG
Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG.
For more information on this source, please visit ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG.