The excitement’s pulpable: Recyclable paper chair débuts

Milan – Tapping into all themes recyclable, ‘Parupu’, a paper pulp chair for children, has been launched at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile. The chair – which is made from composite materials that consist of pulp and PLA, a biodegradable plastic derived from maize starch and cane sugar – was developed by Södra, a Swedish producer of timber goods, paper pulp and biofuel, in collaboration with design and architecture firm Claesson Koivisto Rune.

The idea behind the chair was to create a paper-like material that feels as hard as steel, wood or plastic – thus making it suitable for its more robust users. Children can use the chair as a blank canvas on which to scribble or paint, customising it as they please, says Joakim Nygren, engineer and project manager of Södra Pulp Labs, which was formed to explore the possibilities of pulp-based materials. With a keen understanding of its exuberant target market, ‘Parupu’ is a fine example of furniture that is at once creative, durable and recyclable.