THE STORIES BEHIND THE IKEA DESIGN

Hey everyone, it’s Hailey here, your Chief Storyteller at Summurai, and today I’m thrilled to dive into some exciting innovations happening at IKEA.

They’re really pushing the boundaries of sustainability, and I can’t wait to share what they’re up to!

Imagine this: over seventy percent of our planet is covered by ocean, and IKEA is recognizing the untapped potential that lies beneath the waves.

In two thousand twenty-two, they took a bold step into marine exploration by launching an accelerator program.

This initiative is all about discovering startups that can help unlock the possibilities of marine materials.

Robert Carleke, the Innovation Ventures Manager at Inter IKEA, along with his dedicated team, is leading two groundbreaking investment projects aimed at creating low-impact material solutions and healthier, more sustainable food options for the future.

Now, let’s talk about something that’s been on many minds: plant-based alternatives to our favorite foods.

While fish is often seen as a healthy choice, popular species like salmon are becoming increasingly scarce.

IKEA is exploring the potential of a plant-based salmon that not only tastes amazing but is also affordable.

This is a win-win for both salmon lovers and those who prefer a vegan lifestyle.

Recently, Inter IKEA Group invested in a Canadian startup called New School Foods.

Their mission? To accelerate the transition to a lower-impact food system by creating delicious fish and meat alternatives.

Robert explains that collaborating with external innovation partners brings unique expertise and insights, which is crucial for transforming strategic business topics.

New School Foods is a pioneer in the alternative protein industry, and IKEA is excited about the innovative production technology they’ve developed.

While New School Foods’ plant-based salmon is still in the testing phase with chefs, there are already alternatives on the market.

What sets this version apart is its remarkable resemblance to real salmon.

Thanks to cutting-edge technology, it not only looks and tastes authentic but also cooks, freezes, and flakes just like the real thing.

This plant-based option is made from ocean algae, pea, and soya protein, delivering the same protein and Omega 3 fatty acids as traditional salmon, all while being more affordable and environmentally friendly.

Now, let’s shift our focus to seaweed.

Studies show that seaweed is a true sustainability hero.

It improves water quality by absorbing nutrients and carbon dioxide, while also providing food and shelter for marine species.

It’s vital that we protect these ecosystems, but the potential of seaweed doesn’t stop at the ocean.

It can be responsibly cultivated for various uses.

At IKEA, the search for innovative and renewable raw materials is ongoing.

Ulf Johansson, the Raw Material Manager, highlights their collaboration with Nordic SeaFarm, a leading producer of sustainably farmed seaweed in Europe.

This partnership aims to explore opportunities in aquaculture materials, utilizing seaweed fibers for wood, fabric, and protective films.

Nordic SeaFarm, founded by marine biologists, is on a mission to democratize seaweed by cultivating highly valued species at scale.

Located on the west coast of Sweden, they grow sea lettuce and sugar kelp for food, biomaterials, and fertilizers.

Their proximity to IKEA’s product development hub allows for close collaboration and innovation.

Looking ahead, it might take some time before you can grab a delicious frozen fillet of plant-based salmon from the Swedish Food Market, or see seaweed-based packaging on the shelves.

However, IKEA’s investments and explorations are paving the way for a positive impact on climate goals, and they hope to inspire other companies to join them in this blue revolution.

So, let’s keep our eyes on the horizon and embrace the future of sustainable innovation together! Thanks for tuning in, and I can’t wait to share more insights with you soon!

Hello everyone! It’s Hailey here, your Chief Storyteller at Samurai, and today I’m thrilled to dive into a topic that’s close to my heart: the future of our forests and how companies like IKEA are stepping up to the challenge.

You see, at IKEA, their love for wood runs deep, tracing back to their roots in the lush forests of southern Sweden.

They understand that wood is not just a material; it’s a precious resource that needs to be safeguarded for future generations.

That’s why they’re actively supporting global forestry research, striving to enhance forest management standards, and exploring innovative ways to work with wood responsibly.

Now, let’s talk numbers.

Wood and paper make up a staggering sixty-nine percent of IKEA's total material consumption by weight.

That’s a significant portion, and it comes with an equally significant responsibility.

IKEA recognizes the opportunity they have to make a positive impact on the global forestry industry.

While there’s always more to be done, they’ve already made remarkable strides in various areas.

As a proud partner of the IUFRO World Congress taking place in Stockholm, IKEA is eager to share some of their ongoing initiatives.

For those who may not know, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, or IUFRO, is a non-profit network of forest scientists dedicated to promoting global cooperation in forest-related research.

Their World Congresses are among the largest gatherings focused on forests and trees, making this partnership a vital one for IKEA.

This collaboration underscores IKEA’s commitment to science-backed action plans that are crucial for businesses and organizations involved in forestry.

As part of their Forest Positive Agenda leading up to the year 2030, they are dedicated to making responsible forest management the norm, halting deforestation, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting the rights of communities that rely on forests for their livelihoods.

Now, let’s play a little guessing game! Can you guess how much of the world’s surface is covered in forest? If you said thirty percent, you’re spot on! While that may sound like a lot, deforestation remains a pressing issue, especially in tropical rainforests.

Even though the rate of deforestation has decreased in recent years, an area roughly the size of Iceland is still cleared every year.

Speaking of partnerships, IKEA has been working closely with WWF since two thousand two.

Together, they’ve tackled various environmental challenges, from safeguarding natural resources to transforming business practices for the benefit of both people and the planet.

Their joint efforts focus on managing and protecting forests, combating illegal timber trade, and addressing issues related to cotton, water, and climate.

One of their standout initiatives is the Sow a Seed project, launched in nineteen ninety-eight in Borneo.

This project has led to the protection and restoration of eighteen thousand five hundred hectares of degraded rainforest, making it one of the largest and longest-term tropical forest restoration projects in the world.

Research from this initiative is guiding others who wish to restore rainforests, which is incredibly inspiring.

Now, let’s test your knowledge again! Which country provides the largest percentage of wood used by IKEA? If you guessed Poland, you’re correct! In the fiscal year twenty twenty-three, Poland accounted for thirty-two percent of IKEA’s wood supply, followed by Sweden and Lithuania, each contributing ten percent.

IKEA is also making strides in traceability.

They’ve implemented a comprehensive wood control system to ensure that all the wood used in their products is responsibly sourced.

At the IUFRO World Congress, they’ll unveil an exciting forensic method that enhances the accuracy of identifying wood species and their origins.

By partnering with organizations like World Forest ID and FSC, they’ve developed a unique AI model that maps chemical variables of key timber species against land use information from satellite imagery.

This innovative approach allows them to double-check the origin of the wood they use, ensuring that it meets their critical requirements.

Let’s not forget about rattan, a fantastic renewable material that IKEA incorporates into many of its products.

However, over-harvesting from wild forests in Vietnam and Indonesia poses a significant threat to biodiversity.

In twenty twenty-three, after four years of research, IKEA, in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, launched a groundbreaking DNA database of rattan species.

This database will help identify and protect threatened species, ensuring that IKEA sources responsibly and inspires other businesses to do the same.

Now, here’s another question for you! In the fiscal year twenty twenty-three, how much of IKEA’s total wood use was recycled wood? If you guessed seventeen percent, you’re right! And they’re aiming to nearly double that figure in the next six years, with a goal of at least one-third of their wood being recycled by the year twenty thirty.

In terms of recycled content, IKEA has made impressive progress.

In the fiscal year twenty twenty-three, thirty percent of the particle board they used contained recycled material, although only zero point three percent of their fiberboard did.

But they’re not stopping there