Hydro's R100 project turns scrap aluminium into covetable design objects

Norwegian aluminium producer Hydro has launched the R100 project, a circular-economy initiative that transforms post-consumer scrap aluminium into refined furniture and lighting pieces within a 100-kilometre radius of its plant in Drunen, Netherlands. The project, a collaboration between Hydro and five leading designers, debuted at Milan's Salone del Mobile last year and was recently showcased at Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. Using Hydro Circal 100R, the company's most advanced recycled aluminium, the material produces just 0.4 kilos of CO2-equivalent per kilo versus the global average of 14.8 kilos. Designers Sabine Marcelis and Stefan Diez created pieces: Marcelis's Light Wings lamps and Diez's cylindrical rubbish bins. Plant manager Ben Mul noted the pride among workers, while business-development manager Yon van den Oever highlighted logistical challenges in finding local partners for finishing. Hydro aims to more than double post-consumer waste use from 450,000 tonnes in 2024 to 1.2 million tonnes by 2030. The project demonstrates how heavy industry and design can collaborate for sustainable production.