Category Archives: Environmental

Miele at IFA2022

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Sustainability and climate protection will dominate the presentation of the world’s leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances at the IFA in Berlin. A keen focus will be on the new technologies and features with which Miele aims to protect the environment and support users in acting more responsibly. These will feature alongside clever innovations for creative cooking and lifestyle which are only available from Miele. The family-owned company will present More than 400 appliances at a their booth in Building 2.1, accompanied by inspirational live events and starred chefs-de-cuisine offering food to sample. Trade fair motto: ‘Discover quality ahead of its time. For a better tomorrow’.

A contribution towards reducing food waste comes for example in the form of new free-standing refrigerators from the K 4000 series with their innovative PerfectFresh Active system in which the combination of a temperature of around zero degrees with humidity and a fine mist of water keeps vegetables and fruit crisp and attractive for up to five times longer. In addition, further improved smart cooking assistants and recipe apps as well as intelligent energy management, ensure more sustainability in the household. And more new products at the IFA trade fair mainly focus on the kitchen, starting with a well-known, particularly tasty, nutritious, and healthy preparation method: steam cooking.

In this field, Miele is expanding a model range which is already more than impressive by adding further models both at the top and the bottom ends of the lineup. In concrete terms, these are steam ovens which combine an oven or wall oven with first-class specifications with a fully-fledged steam cooker. Firstly, Miele will be presenting new models with top features, such as improved cleaning convenience. Secondly, there will be a new entry-line model series which will reduce the starting price in this sought-after product category by around one-third, making cooking with steam more accessible to a larger target audience. Miele will also be presenting a new entry-level series of ovens, with a new design, significantly more features and offering better value for money. And, in the booming market for induction hobs with an integrated downdraught extractor, there will be new models at IFA which guarantee more efficient extraction than their predecessors – whilst at the same time being noticeably quieter. All models have been tested to last 20 years. For that reason alone, a decision for Miele is a contribution towards everyday sustainability.

Did you know?

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Did you know? 94% of all adults are unaware of how much plastic is in clothes, according to our latest report into attitudes and behaviors towards laundry. When put to a fiber test, 68% of Europeans were unaware that Nylon is a plastic fiber and 62% didn’t know Polyester, the world’s commonly used fiber, is plastic.

Part of the problem, according to sarah schaefer, Electrolux VP Sustainability Europe, is a lack of awareness of what ‘synthetic’ means.

“We have become so accustomed to the phrase ‘synthetic material’ that the majority of us have lost sight of the fact that most of these synthetic materials are actually plastic,” said Schaefer. “Our research shows that there is an urgent need to help people understand more about the materials they are buying and how best to care for them as well as encouraging as many people as possible to adopt more
environmentally positive laundry practices,” continued Schaefer. “By taking a series of small steps, including installing a Microplastic Filter, each of us can reduce our environmental impact from textiles.”

Grundig built-in microplastic filter to washing machines

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Grundig expanding its sustainable product range, offering a solution to avoid microplastics in the water: the world’s first washing machines with built-in microplastic filter. The new technology filters up to 90% of textile microfibres from the washing water before they enter the wastewater and pollute the environment.With every wash, clothing and textiles release up to 3,000 fibres that reach our rivers, lakes and seas via wastewater. There, the microfibres are taken up by fish and other marine creatures, entering the food chain and ending up on our plates.

Grundig wants to stop this pollution cycle and brings the first washing machines with an integrated microplastic filter.

The first Grundig washing machines available with built-in microplastic filter technology are the models GW7P79419W for 9kg laundry and the 10kg model, GW7P510419W. The filter is located in the detergent compartment and is automatically activated in the Easy Care, Shirts and Outdoor/ Sport programmes. Several times during the washing cycle, the water is passed through the microplastic filter before it is pumped into the wastewater. Up to 90% of the synthetic microfibers are collected from the washing water inside the filter.

Panasonic 2022 strategy for Middle East and Africa

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Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa (PMMAF) restated its commitment of MEA market expansion and consumer wellbeing at its regional convention, held in Dubai, that unveiled the brand’s new global motto – “Live Your Best.”

The new slogan embodies Panasonic’s commitment to providing solutions that make life simpler, safer, healthier, and more enjoyable for the customers helping them to live their best. Meanwhile, the brand will focus on expanding its regional market share to cater to the evolving customer demands with solutions that make homes, public premises, and businesses a healthy and convenient Panasonic plans to introduce a lineup of 64 new products to support this mission in 2022.

Some of the new products with superior technologies and Japanese excellence were spotlighted at the event. Key highlights amongst many were the nanoe™ X Air conditioners which can inhibit pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) and allergens. The ACs will not only cool and heat the surroundings but also clean the indoor air, offering 24-hour protection to keep living spaces fresh and clean, so consumers can benefit from a healthier life.

New Abaya Wash washing machines were positioned as distinctive hygiene systems that protect families by eliminating 99.99%* of bacteria from the clothes while washing. The brand also emphasized on nutrition and food hygiene through its latest “Nutri TaFreez” refrigerator series that feature speedy freezing technology specifically for preserving nutrients of meats stored in the freezer.

To further support health and wellbeing, Panasonic encourages home cooking for its consumers by introducing new kitchen appliances line up such as Kitchen Machine, Bread Maker and more appliances that enrich cooking experience.

ELECTROLUX WINS EIGHT MORE SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS

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Electrolux announced that eight more of its appliances have been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2021-2022 ENERGY STAR® Emerging Technology Award (ETA), creating a total of 12 ETA awards for the company. All these appliances have been recognized for their significant greenhouse gas reductions driven by energy efficiency.recent winning appliances include:

Frigidaire 20 cu. ft Upright Freezer in White and Carbon

Frigidaire Professional 19 Cu. Ft. Single-Door Refrigerator

Electrolux 18.6 Cu. Ft. Single-Door Refrigerator

Frigidaire 30” and 36″ Induction Cooktop

Electrolux 30” and 36″ Induction Cooktop

Electrolux and SolarizEgypt join forces to build solar power plants for sustainable development

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Electrolux, the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of electrical appliances with well-known brands including Zanussi,

signs an agreement to develop a solar power plant at its factory with SolarizEgypt, the leading implementation and Construction Company in Egypt and the Middle East. The energy will be used to produce washing machines, refrigerators, Delta electric water heaters, and stoves. This deal supports the Egyptian government’s efforts to transition to clean energy and achieve long-term sustainable development

Daikin new heat pump facility

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Daikin Industries announced the intention to invest 300 million euros to establish a new factory for heat pump units at the Ksawerów Industrial Park in Lodz Province, Poland. The new production base will start operations in July 2024 to meet the rapidly increasing demand for heat pumps in Europe.

Over the past decade, the European heat pump heating market has grown by an average annual rate of 10% to achieve sales of 1 million units in 2021. The European Green Deal policy, which aims to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in the EU region by 2050, has further accelerated the spread of heat pumps. Market expansion is forecast to hit annual sales of at least 3 million units by 2025.

Sustainability targets achieved for Whirlpool’s plant in Italy

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Whirlpool Corp. site in Cassinetta, northern Italy, reached its zero waste to landfill goal a year ahead of schedule, and reduced its carbon emissions by 38 percent in just four years. Cassinetta is one of many manufacturing, research and development centers in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region for the American household appliance company, which is aiming for carbon neutrality at all of its 54 sites around the world by 2030.

Other sustainable improvements at the plant that manufactures built-in ovens, refrigerators and microwaves include cutting electricity during breaks, recycling plastic, reducing the use of polystyrene, and opting for electric power over fossil fuels.

Employing nearly 3,000 employees, the plant sits in close proximity to 80 percent of its supply chain suppliers, reducing the carbon footprint needed to transport components and raw materials to the plant.

Arçelik Eco award

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Arçelik was ranked third in the Top 50 of the Real Leaders Eco Innovation Awards for its washing machine with FiberCatcher technology. The Real Leaders Eco Innovation Awards reward products, projects and initiatives that actively contribute to a healthier planet. FiberCatcher is a microfibre filtering and collection technology: the system retains and collects over 90% of the fabric microfibers that would otherwise go into the environment. “We are honored that our innovation has been recognized by Real Leaders and we are delighted to be together with our colleagues, award winners – said Hakan Bulgurlu, CEO of Arçelik -. The climate crisis is the most pressing problem of today and we need of creative solutions and collaborative actions to ensure a sustainable future. Our FiberCatcher technology is a worldwide innovation to prevent synthetic fiber waste from ending up in waterways and demonstrates our commitment to develop effective and concrete solutions to face some of the major environmental challenges, as well as to encourage others to have a more sustainable lifestyle

Electrolux has set the ambition to make healthy and sustainable eating the preferred choice by 2030

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Food is not only the single most critical factor in human health. The current food system has also severely damaged the climate and our ecosystems. How we eat, cook, and shop thus needs to be transformed to sustain our planet. Through a collection of modular solutions powered by advanced sensors and AI, based on behavioural science and the planetary health diet from the EAT-Lancet report, Electrolux has created what it terms “a vision of a better tomorrow”, with GRO.
The EAT-Lancet Report is described as the first full scientific review of what constitutes a healthy diet from a sustainable food system, and which actions can support and speed up food system transformation. The report was prepared by EAT and is an adapted summary of the Commission Food in The Anthropocene: the EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems. The entire Commission report can be found online at thelancet.com/commissions/EAT.

Electrolux has set the ambition to make healthy and sustainable eating the preferred choice by 2030, and GRO is our testament to that. By challenging conventional thinking of what a kitchen is, we have rethought everything from the start – aiming to help change behaviours by making planet-friendly eating effortless and enjoyable through groundbreaking design,” says Tove Chevalley, Head of Electrolux Innovation Hub.

In an official statement, Electolux explains, “The GRO concept is entirely built on data and behavioural science, which has been the foundation for every design decision and product feature within the kitchen system. It’s also about exploring how kitchen products can contribute to eating more sustainably. Inspired by experts, chefs, early adopters and thousands of consumers, GRO empowers people to act on key recommendations in the renowned EAT-Lancet report, designed to support people’s personal needs to move towards a more sustainable diet.” The way we currently produce food to feed the planet is tragically at the expense of the planet itself. Research shows, one important action we can take to change this is to dramatically reduce consumption of animal source foods in places where they are currently over-consumed. This will help ensure enough healthy food can be produced for every person on the planet without destroying it. Food must be elevated as a key solution by anyone serious about tackling climate change and restoring nature,” says Brent Loken, Global Food Lead Scientist at WWF. Previously, Brent worked for EAT, where he was a lead author on the EAT-Lancet report.

With this in mind, Electrolux created the “jewellery box,” a storage solution within the GRO kitchen system, nudging people to eat less but better meat and explore new and diverse sources of protein.

There is also a global trend in the plant-forward world of reinventing new dishes by mixing techniques and flavours to enhance the taste experience. Specific techniques previously used to prepare meat dishes are now part of the plant-forward world. GRO’s “nordic smoker” enables people to smoke their ingredients at home, inspiring them to combine different flavours.

The concept’s digital platform will help to visualise the user’s eating habits and planetary impact, providing personal goal setting, guidance, and progress measurement over time. For example, tips on recipes, local produce and sustainable ingredients based on personalised taste, nutritional needs and what is in the fridge, is also a service that GRO can provide.The insights from GRO form the basis for Electrolux product development with the aim that future products will be even better at supporting more sustainable living.

“GRO is our vision of what a kitchen could look like. A vision that will inspire and guide our company’s innovations going forward, whilst pushing us forward to meet our sustainability goals,” Chevalley adds.