interzum goes green: start for sustainable future

The first step on this journey involves working with ClimatePartner to scrutinise the trade fair’s own carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – ranging from event technology and energy to logistics and waste disposal along the way through to food service. These emissions will then be reduced wherever possible. Any emissions that can’t be reduced (yet) will be offset by financing two certified, internationally recognised climate protection projects.

“Through these measures, interzum is assuming responsibility and taking an important step towards becoming a more sustainable trade fair”, explains interzum Director Maik Fischer.

The first interzum-funded project in Bhatel in the Indian state of Gujarat harnesses wind energy to supply renewable electricity. This low-emission form of power generation saves around 167,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Also in India, degraded agricultural land in the Indian state of Karnataka is being reforested as part of the second project. The project is helping a total of 1,296 farming families from 155 villages to plant trees and manage the land. Both projects are certified in accordance with the Gold Standard VER (GS VER), which has particularly strict requirements regarding sustainable development and the involvement of the local population.

“In order to achieve our long-term goal of comprehensive climate protection, it’s crucial that we prevent and reduce emissions”, emphasises Maik Fischer. “With the global lead theme Neo-Ecology, we’re also highlighting our ambition to generate vital momentum for the sustainable design of tomorrow’s living and working environments together with our exhibitors.“

interzum’s multifaceted engagement with the central theme of neo-ecology is evident in the topics and presentations at this year’s trade fair from 9 to 12 May 2023.

Aspects such as resource efficiency, smart materials, renewable energies or recycling and upcycling are key to many of the exhibitors’ innovations.

This becomes clear, among other things, on the Boulevard of Sustainability at interzum. The presentation on the north boulevard of the trade fair presents current innovations for sustainable design of furniture and interiors. In the exhibition area, for example, wood specialist EGGER will show how the valuable resource wood is conserved by means of a circular economy, what it means to act sustainably and to promote climate protection.

Achieving maximum resource efficiency is just as high on the agenda of many furniture companies as the recyclability of the materials used and the transformation to a circular economy.

The interzum event programme therefore focuses on these topics. For example, in the Trend Forum “Materials & Nature - Sustainability Matters”, the future agency Haute Innovation will present more than 100 pioneering material innovations of neo-ecology on an area of 400 square metres. The exhibition will elaborate on the application potentials for the furniture and furnishing sector.

“A global race is on to find the best ideas for developing recyclable materials“, says Hon.-Prof. Dr. Sascha Peters of Haute Innovation on the current innovation climate. “Manufacturers who want to remain competitive in the future must show how their products fit into the concept of the circular economy”.

Examples are materials based on natural resins, fibreboards made from fast-growing plants and algae or leather alternatives from fruit residues. Above all, the realisation of the use of CO2 as a resource in panel and textile production will lead to the development of new production methods.

The interzum award 2023 will provide further inspiration for trailblazing eco-friendly solutions in furniture production and interior design. The new award category “Neo-Ecology" will recognise innovative products, processes and concepts that reduce resource consumption and carbon footprint or raise social and ethical standards. The products awarded "Best of Best" will be exhibited on the North Boulevard of the upcoming interzum - another opportunity for diverse impulses on the leading theme of neo-ecology.

Are you interested in concepts for the sustainable design of furniture and interiors? Then you will find the complete programme of interzum 2023 and all events around the central theme of neo-ecology in the trade fair's event search.