#Japan #Chuo-ku, Tokyo #Kewpie #Ito-kis #upcycled materials

Sustainable Furniture Design: A Unique Collaboration Between Ito-kis and Kewpie

In a remarkable initiative blending design and sustainability, Ito-kis Inc., headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, has partnered with Kewpie Corporation to craft tabletops from upcycled eggshells. This collaboration not only highlights the importance of environmental responsibility but also exemplifies innovative practices within Japan's corporate sphere.

Background of the Project

Kewpie, a prominent player in the food industry, utilizes around 250,000 metric tons of chicken eggs annually, which represents about 10% of Japan's total domestic egg production. The manufacturing processes involved produce approximately 28,000 tons of eggshells each year. Aiming for 100% resource recycling, Kewpie has been actively pursuing various sustainability initiatives. Ito-kis, resonating with this vision, integrated sustainability into its space designs, making it an integral part of its furniture offerings.

The collaboration first sparked when Kewpie sought to refresh its brand image while ensuring the new furniture reflected sustainable values. Ito-kis quickly mobilized a team to explore utilizing eggshells as a unique material, leading to the creation of eye-catching tabletops to be installed in Kewpie's Senkawa Kewport facility in Chofu, Tokyo.

Material Development Process

The highlight of this new material is the striking use of finely crushed eggshells, which are coated with transparent resin, providing a tactile, 3D aesthetic. Initially, the team experimented with a pure eggshell composition, aiming for a gypsum-like material; however, the eggshells failed to present a visible design element on the surface. Recognizing this, the team shifted to amplify the prominent visibility of eggshell pieces within their design.

Throughout the prototyping phase, several challenges arose, particularly the tendency of eggshells to float or disperse within the resin. This led to repeated evaluations of adhesive methods and thickness. The final selection process involved sifting through coarse, medium, and finely crushed eggshells, ultimately choosing the coarser variety to lend a more pronounced texture. The final pressing was avoided to preserve the natural surface variations and shadows that the material provided.

Prototyping and validation occurred at the Ito-kis Shiga Factory in collaboration with research institutions, consuming approximately 30kg of eggshells during development.

Project Team Insights

The project leaders expressed their enthusiasm over the collaboration. Tohru Inoue from Ito-kis shared, "When Kewpie reached out to discuss updating their furniture with sustainability in mind, our development team was eager to start working on it. Crafting multiple samples allowed us to appreciate the unique expressions resulting from the eggshell's varying density and fineness. It's incredibly rewarding to create something truly unique as Kewpie celebrates its 100th anniversary. We hope to expand these resourceful initiatives further."

Kazunari Mochizuki, part of Kewpie’s corporate strategy team, echoed similar sentiments. He remarked, "We spent over a year considering how to enhance the entrance for our valued clients, focusing on hospitality, communication, and sustainability. The suggestion to use upcycled eggshells brought a thrilling, innovative touch to the project. The final design was selected through a vote among our group employees, ensuring a sense of shared ownership. The entrance renovation is targeted for completion by 2026."

Future Vision: Designing for Circularity

The eggshell tabletops represent more than just material development; they embody a step towards expressing corporate philosophies and initiatives through thoughtfully designed furniture. Ito-kis aims to utilize the insights gained from this collaboration with Kewpie to continue creating immersive, sustainable furniture and spaces.

The company's mission is to design environments that foster sustainability, leading to new value creation through innovative material and design fusion. Previous collaborations have included partnerships with automotive manufacturers like Toyota, utilizing waste plastics to craft sculptural furniture, and initiatives focusing on coffee grounds to develop memorable material experiences.

Kewpie’s Commitment to Resource Recycling

Kewpie has long been committed to the repurposing of food by-products since its inception. Eggshell membranes are transformed into ingredients for cosmetics and supplements, while the shells find new life as calcium-enhanced foods, soil improvers, and fertilizers, aligning with Kewpie's overarching goal of promoting health for both people and the planet through food.

Through this partnership with Ito-kis, both companies aim to set a precedent in the furniture industry, emphasizing sustainability and innovation while providing functional, aesthetically pleasing solutions that resonate with contemporary values.