SWEDEN: Electrolux has developed a prototype refrigerator where all the visible plastic parts are made of recyclable bioplastics from renewable sources.
The bioplastic for the refrigerator is said to have a more than 80% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional plastics used today.
Unlike ordinary plastics that are oil-based, the bioplastics in the Electrolux fridge come directly from renewable resources, such as corn or sugarcane, and are recyclable.
The prototype follows several years work by Electrolux’s Global Connectivity & Technology Centre into how bioplastics can be applied in its products and packaging. The material used in the refrigerator has been provided by NatureWorks, a world-leading supplier of biopolymers. The bioplastic for the refrigerator has 80% lower CO2 equivalent emissions compared to the conventional plastic used in current fridges.
“We are very excited and proud to have developed the world’s first bioplastic concept fridge, which is truly groundbreaking. Our ambition is to develop even more innovative, sustainable home appliances that we might see on the market in the future”, said Jan Brockmann, chief operations officer at Electrolux.
The bioplastic refrigerator is still in development and Electrolux says there is currently no timeframe set for when the product will be officially launched on the market.
