IKEA is transitioning from fossil-based to bio-based glues to reduce the climatic impact caused by board production.
According to the company, Glue in board materials currently accounts for 5% of IKEA’s overall value chain’s climate footprint. IKEA hopes to reduce its use of fossil-based Glue by 40% and its greenhouse gas emissions from adhesive by 30% by the fiscal year 2030.
Exploring alternative adhesive choices is one of the core strategies for decreasing IKEA’s climate impact, with most glue use occurring during board production. After years of testing and innovation, IKEA discovered and implemented bio-based alternatives, resulting in a 40% reduction in the use of fossil-based Glue and a 30% reduction in the climate effect of adhesive.
The transition from fossil-based to bio-based glues will be gradual, to have the majority of IKEA supply chain board-producing firms utilise lower carbon footprint glues by FY30. Following ten years of research, the first factory in Lithuania uses a glue system derived from corn-based technological starch. Likewise, different glue systems are being tested extensively.
One primary method for reducing particle board production’s climate impact is investigating new glue solutions and converting them to 100% renewable energy consumption.
This is consistent with IKEA’s goal of using only renewable and recyclable materials by FY30. In addition, IKEA has launched an accelerator programme with external partners to test innovative bio-based glue solutions.