Mattias Virsgård
Sustainability at Gustavsberg
INTERVIEW WITH MATTIAS VIRSGÅRD – BUSINESS DEVELOPER IN SUSTAINABILITY
Gustavsberg has been a pioneer in the bathroom industry since the early 20th century, with a focus on developing products that combine functionality, quality and long service life.
Our history is full of innovations – from early efforts to improve hygiene and sanitation to today’s smart solutions that can help reduce water and energy use.
Today, we continue to develop products and solutions with a focus on resource efficiency, long service life and reduced environmental impact.
Can you tell us something about how we are working with sustainability?
Today, sustainability encompasses more than simply products with smart solutions that save energy, water and money for years and years.
We are taking the long-term view with the support of these three pillars that we believe can have a major impact and do a lot of good:
1. A sustainable society distinguished by well-being
We believe that our solutions in the field of water and sanitation are crucial to people’s health and well-being. We strive to continuously improve hygiene standards, with a focus on quality, resource efficiency and long service life.
2. Long-term prosperity for everyone we come into contact with
We are an ethical, inclusive and proactive partner, committed to contributing to a sustainable society. Our goal is to be financially viable and innovative.
3. Improved resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact
We are constantly developing new products and processes that minimise resource consumption and environmental impact throughout the life cycle of the product.
What challenges do you see in the work with sustainability?
We need to come up with the right technologies and solutions to reduce our total carbon impact in the long term. We are working tirelessly to implement new and efficient solutions at our production facilities. At the same time, we are working closely with external operators to make sure that we have the right resources – such as technology, knowledge and calculation models.
How do we ensure sustainable product development?
Sustainability is at the core of our business, and our products are the message carriers for our work. We apply our “Sustainable Design Logic” to make sure that every aspect of the product’s life cycle is carefully thought through from the perspective of sustainability.
This framework helps us consider all relevant factors, from material selection and design to use and recycling, to develop products designed for long-term use, with the possibility of upgrading and recycling. By closely monitoring sustainability from the birth of the initial idea to the end of the product’s life cycle, we can make conscious decisions that make a difference in both the short and the long term.
![[Translate to English:] Modernt badrum med gröna väggar, toalett, handfat, dusch och ett stort fönster som släpper in dagsljus.](/fileadmin/user_upload/Nautic_bathroom_sideview__2_.jpg)
Nautic is a complete range of toilets, washbasins, bathroom and kitchen taps, showers and thermostats. All packed with smart features for every kind of project.
Water shortages and rising water prices – how can our products make a difference?
Water shortages are an increasing issue in Sweden, and we have noted a rise in demand for solutions that reduce water consumption. One project that provides great benefit to society is “Drop it”, where we are working with the Municipality of Värmdö , Ecoloop and the RISE research institute. The project is intended to secure access to water on the island of Sandön in the Stockholm Archipelago. The “Drop it” project is financed by Formas and involves a combination of technological solutions and communication about saving water.
By using water-saving products, such as toilets and taps, households and commercial operations can reduce their water use. For taps, lower hot water use can also help reduce energy use. This is particularly relevant in areas where water availability is limited and can also contribute to lower water and energy costs over time.
Nautic offers a wide range of shower mixers and sets – from classic models to premium designs with overhead showers. The shower is where the biggest water and energy savings happen. Choose a Class A-rated mixer and save automatically.
What does reuse mean to Gustavsberg?
As I mentioned previously, we use our “Sustainable Design Logic” framework to support this process. We are striving to optimise each and every phase of the product’s life cycle – from design and manufacture, to the user phase and on to reuse and recycling. One important aspect as regards reuse and upcycling is that we design products that can easily be upgraded or reused. For example, by upgrading a component in a WC, we can extend the service life of the product, thus reducing waste. So it’s not simply a question of creating products that are sustainable from the start, but also of facilitating a circular economy in which our products can be recycled and upgraded over time.
Nor should we forget that Gustavsberg products are reused on a daily basis – and have been for decades – through the utilisation of our spare parts. In the future, there will be even more parts and upgraded parts available, which will allow reuse via finely functioning processes.
Can you give us a specific example of reuse?
New working relationships are essential in achieving the best possible overall result as regards reuse and upcycling. One such relationship we are particularly proud of is the one with Holgers Stugmaterial, whereby we work together to provide cost-efficient solutions for reusing bathroom products. The final objective is for the entire flow – from dismantling to upgraded product with assured functionality and warranties – to make reuse a simple and self-evident choice for sustainable projects. One of our pilot projects is at Västerhöjd High School in Skövde, where we are reusing WCs and washbasins as part of a major renovation. Through this project, we are showing how reuse can be integrated into ordinary supply chains so as to create a more sustainable construction industry. The work we do is centred on making sustainability a natural part of business processes, thereby helping to reduce environmental impact.
At the same time, it is important to ensure that reuse does not take place at the expense of the environment. This is why all our reused products are upgraded with the latest technology to minimise both water and energy consumption.
Our extensive family of taps in the Nautic range is energy class A, locally produced and, in many cases, lead-free. The taps consist of approximately 90% metal, which is recyclable. Förutom att de når högsta energiklass uppnår de även de hårda kraven kraven för miljöcertifieringssystemen oavsett om det är BREEAM, LEED, Miljöbyggnad, Svanen, EU taxonomin eller DGNB.
Products with a focus on resource efficiency
Our Nautic and Atlantic ranges of mixers for kitchen, bathroom and shower are excellent examples of products that combine functionality and sustainability. They are both energy- and water-efficient and designed for a long service life, with the potential for reuse and recycling. By choosing these products, customers not only receive only high-quality everyday heroes for their bathroom and kitchen, but they are also making a long-term durable choice that reduces environmental impact and resource consumption – which creates a genuine win-win situation with significant financial savings.
What are the next steps in the work with sustainability?
The future holds more challenges, but also enormous potential for sustainable development. Our journey towards climate-neutrality in 2045 and our work to boost the circularity and reuse of products have a key role to play in our long-term plan. We anticipate continued development where new technologies and business models can contribute to shrinking our footprint even further. For the industry as a whole, it is a question of continuing to press for innovation and working relationships in order to come up with new solutions that are both sustainable and functional. Together, we can create a future where sustainability is no longer simply an ambition, but taken as read.
