IKEA launches “FÖRÄNDRING” – a “Made in India” collection using rice straw material
- The collection created using rice harvesting residue from North India will help curb air pollution. It is globally available across countries like Spain, Germany, etc.
- In 2018, IKEA launched the ‘Better Air Now’ initiative with the aim to take action on a global environmental issue by turning rice straws - a harvesting residue that contributes heavily to air pollution when burned - into raw material. The first results are seen in the upcoming collection FÖRÄNDRING.
Hyderabad: IKEA India has launched FÖRÄNDRING, a collection of sustainable products created from rice straw, a residue of rice production that is traditionally burnt and contributes heavily to air pollution in North India. This ‘Made in India’ collection includes rugs, lampshades and other decorative items. With FÖRÄNDRING, it’s a small step towards contributing to better air by turning rice straw into a renewable material for products.
FÖRÄNDRING means ‘change’ in Swedish and illustrates the desire to contribute to positive change. It implies changing current habits where rice straw is being burnt as well as a change for the many people by contributing to better air.
“Sustainability is integrated into the way we do business. Forandring is a special collection and is a small contribution from IKEA to cleaner air and to support farmers to practice more sustainable farming. We will bring more of such initiatives and hope that they can be replicated other companies as well to create bigger a positive impact for our planet” said, Preet Dhupar, Chief Finance Officer and Sustainability Lead, IKEA India.
The colours in this collection shift from dark blue to light blue and illustrate the present situation with smog and air pollution, as well as the hopes for a more optimistic future with crisp and clear blue skies. The collection includes 9 items, such as rugs, table runners, pendant lamp shades as well as decorative items such as storage boxes and baskets.
They are handmade by skilled artisans from Northern India and the material is based on leftover rice straw, giving each product a unique shape and look.
IKEA is exploring different options of how to make use of rice straw in the value chain. Apart from raw material for IKEA products in the collection FÖRÄNDRING, IKEA is also looking into using it for packaging material and/or bioenergy. For now, FÖRÄNDRING is available only in Hyderabad. One can buy it from the IKEA store or order it online.
