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Furniture manufacturer Vestre is now opening the world's most environmentally friendly furniture factory, The Plus, at Magnor in Norway. Over 23 tonnes of Hydro CIRCAL low-carbon aluminium have been delivered for the project. Hydro CIRCAL consists of at least 75% recycled aluminium, from products that have already lived a long life as a soda can, car part or other material.

“The glass facades are specially developed for The Plus to ensure maximum transparency and the lowest possible energy consumption. The WICONA profiles that frame the glass are delivered using Hydro CIRCAL alloys,” says Frank Føleide, sales engineer at Hydro Building Systems.

The Plus aims to reduce energy needs by at least 90% compared to similar conventional factory buildings. With more than 2,000 square meters of glass facades – up to 14 meters high – there are extreme requirements for energy performance, insulation, thermal bridges and building physics in general.

Vestre's The Plus provides an open and efficient workflow, while allowing all four wings of the factory to be in direct contact with the forest. At the centre of the building lies the experience centre, which provides 360-degree views of the whole production process.
Vestre's The Plus provides an open and efficient workflow, while allowing all four wings of the factory to be in direct contact with the forest. At the centre of the building lies the experience centre, which provides 360-degree views of the whole production process. (Photo: Einar Aslaksen/Vestre)

Sustainability and inclusion have guided all aspects of the factory, from the design of working conditions to the facilitation of electrified heavy-duty transport and management of the surrounding forest areas. The factory aims to become a global showcase for sustainable and highly efficient production.

“We look forward to opening the doors to The Plus. This will be the people's factory. It will be a factory for the locals, Norwegians and the rest of the world. This is not only a big happening for Vestre, but also for mainland Norwegian industry and Scandinavian export cooperation,” says Stefan Tjust, CEO of Vestre.

Lots of light from large windows, framed in Hydro CIRCAL aluminium, is an important part of The Plus.
Lots of light from large windows, framed in Hydro CIRCAL aluminium, is an important part of The Plus. (Photo: Einar Aslaksen/Vestre)

The Plus has also used aluminium indoors. From Hydro's extrusion plant at Magnor, just a stone's throw away from Vestre's new factory, material has been delivered for the stair railings that architecturally connect the floors at The Plus.

“We are happy to be able to contribute to a project that is as future-oriented as Vestre’s The Plus. We have collaborated with Vestre for many years already, including the furniture series "Folk", and we look forward to now having the world's most environmentally friendly furniture factory as a neighbor at Magnor,” says Morten Bråten, Managing Director at Hydro Magnor.

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