Sustainability-LKH

Sustainability

Contents 1. Vision & values Long-lasting love Our philosophy of creating furniture that grows more beautiful with time. → Our vision → Our strategy 2. Circular craftsmanship From local hands to lasting design How we craft responsibly, source locally, and design for repairability. → Made in Norway – a symbol of quality → Local sourcing and production → Quality materials for longevity → Circularity in design → Circular principles in practice 3. Sustainability in practice Furniture that lives on for generations Proof that circular design works — and what comes next. → Sustainability over time – the Ami chair → Environmental certifications → Sustainability through innovation → Looking to the future

Imagine falling in love. With a piece of beautiful furniture.

You buy it.

It gets used every day. For many years.

You get older. The furniture ages too.

It acquires marks. You develop wrinkles. You replace parts.

Well, not on yourself, but on the furniture.

Over time, a grandchild visits. Their eyes light up.

They sit down. And they also fall in love.

They inherit it. Because you know how long it will endure – and how much joy it will bring. Besides, you bought two.

We call it Long-lasting love.

Our vision At LK Hjelle, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.

We’ve been crafting quality furniture in Sykkylven, Norway, since 1940, and our commitment to sustainable design and local craftsmanship has only grown stronger over the years. With every piece, we’re not just creating furniture; we’re creating products that last for generations, reflecting our deep respect for both people and the planet.

We make products built to last. It’s not just about design—it’s about creating furniture that stands the test of time, from both a functional and aesthetic perspective. We aim to produce pieces that aren’t just beautiful, but ones that people won’t need to throw away. Our vision is simple: No one should want or need to throw away an LK Hjelle product. Ever.

Our strategy

Crafting with integrity Every piece of furniture we make is crafted at our own factory in Sykkylven, the heart of Norway’s furniture industry. Local production ensures quality, reduces transport emissions, and supports the Norwegian economy - with nearly all suppliers located within 90 km of our factory.

For us at LK Hjelle, sustainability means more than environmental responsibility. It’s about creating meaningful jobs, ensuring fair conditions, promoting health, equality, and preserving Norwegian craftsmanship. By fostering long-term value creation, we help sustain local communities and keep vital competence in Norway.

With full control over our production, we remain one of the few who still craft in-house. A tradition of integrity and sustainability we’ve upheld for over 80 years.

Made in Norway – a symbol of quality We are proud to carry the "Made in Norway" label. This certification not only signifies our commitment to producing locally but also reflects our dedication to the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality. By choosing LK Hjelle, you are choosing authenticity, sustainability, and a product that has been designed and built with care.

Local sourcing and production We take pride in producing our furniture in Norway, with a strong commitment to local value creation.

Nearly all of our components are sourced from suppliers located within a 90 km radius of our factory in Sykkylven.

This close collaboration ensures short transport distances, reduced emissions, and full control of quality throughout the production process.

Quality materials for longevity At LK Hjelle we never compromise on materials. True sustainability begins with selecting components that last, both in form and function.

Every element is chosen with care, from solid natural wood and durable upholstery fabrics to sheepskin, not just for their beauty but for their ability to endure.

One of the most critical components in our furniture is the highresilience cold foam we use. This foam is of exceptional quality, designed to retain both shape and comfort for decades. It far exceeds industry standards, ensuring lasting support and reducing the need for replacement.

We believe that furniture should grow more beautiful with age. That is why we focus on materials that improve over time, creating pieces that accompany people through life in a sustainable and responsible way.

Circularity in design One of the key elements of our sustainable approach is circularity. We design products that can be easily repaired, refreshed, and restored.

Many of our products are built with replaceable components, so when a part wears out, it can be replaced, not thrown away. Our design philosophy revolves around creating furniture that lives on for generations, reducing waste and environmental impact and all our new designs are now formed with this philosophy.

Circular principles in practice At LK Hjelle, circularity is not just an idea but a practice. Most of our furniture is built with replaceable components and are built for reupholstering, refurbishment, and renewal.

Modular construction and timeless design make it possible to extend each product’s life cycle, reducing waste and securing long-term value through responsible production.

Our circular products are: Siesta, Falcon, Ada, Less, Gaia, Ami, Lobby.

Sustainability over time

Year 10 Seat cover replacement due to wear.

Year 20 New full upholstery - possibly a new owner.

If discarded, the environmental impact would remain 90,1 kg CO₂ eqv.

Instead, the customer simply replaces the seat cover - an easy process thanks to the chair’s smart, repairable design.

Added footprint: 10,3 kg CO₂ eqv.

After two decades, the chair can be fully refreshed with new fabric, giving it a new life and perhaps a new home.

Added footprint: 30,15 kg CO₂ eqv.

Year 1 Ami chair produced: 90,1 kg CO₂ eqv.

Year 15 Seat foam replaced.

At this stage, the full climate impact of producing the chair is accounted for. Highquality materials and a long-lasting construction lay the foundation for a product made to endure.

Wear over time is addressed by replacing only the cushion insert keeping the rest of the chair intact.

Added footprint: 11,68 kg CO₂ eqv.

Year 40 If we stop here, the Ami chair has served several generations with only a fraction of the footprint of producing new furniture over the same period.

But in reality, this is not the end - thanks to its circular design, the chair can continue to be renewed, repaired, and reimagined for decades to come.

Its life can go on indefinitely, as long as we care for it.

Environmental certifications At LK Hjelle, we take our commitment to sustainability seriously. We hold several environmental certifications that demonstrate our dedication to reducing our environmental footprint. These certifications ensure that we meet high standards in sustainable practices, from sourcing materials to energy-efficient production.

We are happy to provide our environmental certifications upon request, offering transparency in our efforts to create furniture that lasts, while protecting the planet.

Sustainability through innovation Innovation is key to driving sustainability forward. From our eco-conscious material choices to new design concepts, we’re constantly exploring ways to improve our production processes and reduce our carbon footprint. We believe in the power of innovation to create products that stand the test of time while respecting the environment.

Looking to the future At LK Hjelle, we believe in creating products that bring lasting value to our customers, while making as little impact on the environment as possible. Our journey is one of continuous improvement, where every decision, from design to production, considers its long-term impact. We invite you to be part of this journey with us as we continue to craft beautiful, sustainable furniture that will be loved for generations to come.

Thank you for supporting Norwegian craftsmanship and sustainable design. Together, we’re creating a future where furniture doesn’t just serve a function - it enriches lives and nurtures the planet.