ReNEW
History comes included with Fritz Hansen’s programmes of responsible offerings. Explore our three initiatives designed to foster a circular economy for our professional clients.
A LEGACY OF QUALITY & LONGEVITY
For decades, Fritz Hansen has offered repair services and spare parts for both private and commercial customers. ReNEW is the next step in our longstanding commitment to providing furniture that can be passed down for generations. At Fritz Hansen, sustainability has always been at the core of our values. Our iconic chairs, some of which have been around for 70 years, are designed to endure for generations to come. By prioritising refurbishment and repair, we ensure that our long-lasting designs continue to stand the test of time. Through these efforts, we lead the way toward a more sustainable future for the design industry.
ABOUT RENEW
Fritz Hansen’s ReNEW initiatives are designed to advance a circular economy and ensure our products remain in use for as long as possible. For over 150 years, Fritz Hansen has produced designs that transcend time. Using only highest quality materials that age beautifully, each piece is crafted to last. Our long history and strong presence in the vintage market stand as a testament to the belief that quality, and longevity of materials and design are responsible choices. Explore our Refurbish, Repair and Recrafted programmes.
Refurbishing Series 7 Chairs
Follow the journey of 100 chairs from as far back as 1983 as they are refurbished to good-as-new condition.
Topsoe Refurbishment of Series 7™ chairs
The revitalised canteen space at Topsoe’s headquarters not only offers employees an enjoyable, multifunctional environment but also supports Topsoe’s sustainability focus thanks to Fritz Hansen’s Refurbish programme.
As a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, sustainability is at the heart of Topsoe. It made sense, then, to look at how the Topsoe could implement sustainability on a practical level during the refurbishment of the outdated canteen at their headquarters in Lyngby, north of Copenhagen.
“The canteen is the hub of the building and was historically used only during lunch hours. We wanted to develop the space so people would use it more often, implementing a designated café for connection and a more friendly and appealing environment for informal meetings throughout the working day,” explains René Jacobsen, Global Facility Management Director at Topsoe.
As a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, sustainability is at the heart of Topsoe. It made sense, then, to look at how the Topsoe could implement sustainability on a practical level during the refurbishment of the outdated canteen at their headquarters in Lyngby, north of Copenhagen.
Together with Helle Nøhr Holmstrøm, an architect specialised in workplace design, culture and human behaviour at the facility management company Coor, they worked to create a more dynamic environment conducive to collaboration and connectivity at all levels of the company. And with 900 people using the canteen on a daily basis, it was important to balance sustainability practices with financial considerations.
“Repurposing furniture is on the rise and architects and designers have long been aware of the value in salvaging quality furniture to prevent waste and maximise resources,” notes Helle. “This approach aligns with sustainability goals and also offers financial benefits, as continual office redesigns are neither practical nor sustainable.”
They discovered a number of Series 7™ chairs that have followed the company since 1983 but had been sitting in storage for years. Already familiar with Fritz Hansen’s Refurbish programme, they knew it was possible to give these old designs a second life.
“There’s a sense of emotional attachment to the chairs from 1983. They are a part of Topsoe's history,” Helle explains, adding that the inclusion of existing furniture serves as a tangible link to Topsoe's past, fostering a deeper appreciation among employees for the company's journey and values and enhancing the overall sense of connection and belonging within the workplace. “Furniture has the ability to create meaningful connections,” she adds.
“Repurposing furniture is on the rise and architects and designers have long been aware of the value in salvaging quality furniture to prevent waste and maximise resources,” notes Helle. “This approach aligns with sustainability goals and also offers financial benefits, as continual office redesigns are neither practical nor sustainable.”
While physical space can influence behaviour, true change requires concerted efforts in change management and addressing culture and behaviour. For Topsoe, sustainability holds immense importance, particularly given the historical environmental impacts of their industry.
“At Topsoe, we focus on [emission] areas that are hard to abate, in particular merchant shipping and aviation, and are developing technologies that support the world at large to make more sustainable choices. One thing is to help customers with technology to reduce emissions and another is to look at those we ourselves create at Topsoe,” René says.
Challenging the inclination to remove and discard everything when refurbishing, Topsoe wanted to focus on reusing: “In some areas we’re unable to lower emissions, but we counter this by reusing and repurposing where we can. This is one of the areas where we can mitigate our CO2 emissions significantly.”
“At Topsoe, we focus on [emission] areas that are hard to abate, in particular merchant shipping and aviation, and are developing technologies that support the world at large to make more sustainable choices. One thing is to help customers with technology to reduce emissions and another is to look at those we ourselves create at Topsoe,” René says.
The refurbishment presented an opportunity to adjust the low base of the chair to modern standards for comfort and to align the chair's colours with Topsoe's new visual identity, a blend of subtle tones and the bold Topsoe lilac.
“This colour choice, though considered daring by some, reflects the company’s willingness to embrace change and inject vibrancy into the canteen space,“ says Helle. “It’s important to use these valuable assets in the most effective manner, ensuring they are integrated into modern settings to maximise their impact. However, there’s been a shift in companies' attitudes towards such investments. In the past, companies were often more willing to invest in expensive furniture and art for their offices, whereas today current budget considerations and political agendas have led to a more cautious approach,” she adds.
Despite this, there are long-term benefits of investing in quality furniture and programmes like Refurbish further extend the life of such designs while instilling a sense of pride in the companies that are making these responsible choices.
Learn more about ReNEW in our FAQs
1. What is ReNEW, and what does it encompass?
ReNEW is Fritz Hansen's comprehensive sustainability initiative aimed at advancing a circular model for iconic chairs in its collection. It contains the Refurbish, Repair and Recrafted programmes, each designed to prolong the lifespan of high-quality furniture.
2. Can you elaborate on the Refurbish service?
Refurbish is a certified refurbishment service launched in 2023, targeting commercial customers across Europe. It revitalises iconic chairs like Ant™, Grand Prix™, and Series 7™, extending their lifespan through repair, restyling, and reintroduction while reducing carbon emissions.
With restoring and repair options for chairs dating back to 1955, Refurbish includes refitting, relacquering, upgrade options to add upholstery, quality assurance and a custom calculation of CO2eq saved compared to buying new chairs, helping companies to reduce carbon emissions responsibly.
ReNEW is Fritz Hansen's comprehensive sustainability initiative aimed at advancing a circular model for iconic chairs in its collection. It contains the Refurbish, Repair and Recrafted programmes, each designed to prolong the lifespan of high-quality furniture.
2. Can you elaborate on the Refurbish service?
Refurbish is a certified refurbishment service launched in 2023, targeting commercial customers across Europe. It revitalises iconic chairs like Ant™, Grand Prix™, and Series 7™, extending their lifespan through repair, restyling, and reintroduction while reducing carbon emissions.
With restoring and repair options for chairs dating back to 1955, Refurbish includes refitting, relacquering, upgrade options to add upholstery, quality assurance and a custom calculation of CO2eq saved compared to buying new chairs, helping companies to reduce carbon emissions responsibly.
3. What are the benefits of the Refurbish service for companies?
The Refurbish service allows companies to uphold sustainability commitments by reducing carbon emissions through refurbishment rather than purchasing new chairs. It includes options for restoring and repairing chairs dating back to 1955, along with custom CO2eq saved calculations.
Fritz Hansen is a manufacturer set up to produce high-quality craft at scale. "When it comes to Refurbish, our lean production operation is optimised to this task with a minimum of waste. Every chair is guaranteed a new life beyond aesthetics. This is what we mean when we say our pieces are crafted to last twice a lifetime." - Martin Scharff, VP Global Sales Operations at Fritz Hansen.
4. What can customers expect from the Recrafted programme?
The Recrafted programme offers restored original Fritz Hansen chairs, promoting environmental consciousness and responsible consumption. These chairs undergo refurbishment, including cleaning, repairing, and refinishing, maintaining high quality and extending their lifespan.
5. How does Fritz Hansen prioritise environmental stewardship beyond product initiatives?
Fritz Hansen has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prioritises the use of certified materials. Carbon footprint calculations are available for commercial customers, enabling informed choices aligned with sustainability values.
6. Does Fritz Hansen offer spare parts?
Fritz Hansen offers spare parts for both private and commercial customers worldwide for much of the collection. It includes the entire outdoor collection, Arne Jacobsen stacking chairs dating back to 1968, as well as essential components for the Egg™ and Swan™ chairs from 1975. This commitment to repairability ensures the longevity of many of Fritz Hansen's most known and loved designs, from iconic pieces dating back decades to the more recent additions to the collection.
7. How does Fritz Hansen ensure the quality and longevity of its products?
With over 150 years of experience, Fritz Hansen prioritises uncompromising quality and carefully chosen materials. Each piece is crafted by expert craftspeople to last, reflecting a belief that quality and longevity are responsible choices.
8. What does the future hold for Fritz Hansen's sustainability efforts?
As Fritz Hansen transitions towards a more circular approach, additional services are planned to further advance sustainability goals. The company remains committed to making a lasting positive impact on both people and the planet through sustainable design practices.
Fritz Hansen’s Climate Commitment
In a significant step toward environmental stewardship, Fritz Hansen is set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in scope 1 and 2 by 38% by 2026 (target set in 2021). As of today, the company is on track towards reaching its goal. This commitment, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, underscores the company's dedication to making a positive impact on climate change.
Additionally, Fritz Hansen is prioritising the use of certificates such as FSC, PEFC, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, Greenguard Gold, and EU Ecolabel to ensure responsible material sourcing. Since 2023, carbon footprint calculations for all its products have been available for commercial customers, thus enabling clients to make informed choices aligned with their sustainability values.
The Series 7™ chair has the lowest CO2 emissions of Fritz Hansen’s portfolio, and its footprint is significantly reduced by refurbishing rather than reproducing the design.
CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATIONS
At Fritz Hansen, we care about the environment and know you do too. In the interest of understanding environmental impact, we can now deliver a Carbon Footprint product impact calculation for commercial client projects.
Follow Us
.png?h=126&iar=0&w=86)
.png?h=126&iar=0&w=126)
.png?h=126&iar=0&w=126)
.png?h=126&iar=0&w=126)
.png?h=126&iar=0&w=126)