Recycled aluminium helps bring design gold for the innovative indoor garden Auk Mini
The “smart garden” Auk Mini captured a gold medal in product design from the 2024 MUSE Design Awards. Recycled aluminium from Hydro adds critical functionality to the product and to its appeal.
Manufactured by Oslo based Auk Eco AS, the innovative open air indoor garden enables owners to enjoy gardening all year round, in their own homes. The product needs about 10 minutes for assembly, and once done, all the necessary water, light, and nutrients will be in place.
Auk says product owners can use any seeds and plant cuttings, herbs, lettuce and tomatoes, for instance, just as in a regular garden. Further, it says the seeds will begin sprouting up to five times faster than normal outdoor cultivation, and that they will be ready for harvest in four to six weeks.
Auk Mini represents an advancement in vertical farming and one of its key ingredients is aluminium.
Aluminium is part of Auk’s sustainability profile
With sales of over 50,000 units in Europe and the United States, Auk Mini has won praise for its unique looks and functionality. Its hydroponic design consumes 90 percent less water and close to zero electricity.
Another part of Auk’s appeal is its sustainability profile.
The wood Auk uses for the product is sourced locally, and the important extruded aluminium component that it receives from Hydro Magnor, a short distance from Oslo, contains a minimum of 75 percent recycled scrap metal, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the aluminium.
“After rigorous simulations, especially on heat, and real life testing, we landed on the design of Auk Mini. We also needed very good cooling properties. Aluminium is perfect because of its heat dissipation properties, durability, environmental aspect and design aspect. It’s a timeless material that fits perfectly with our brand and our product,” says Didrik Dimmen, Auk’s CEO and co-founder.
Switching suppliers to Hydro
“We switched suppliers to Hydro because they had the best price, the best quality, the best environmental footprint and the best service. And we are both Norwegian companies selling on a global scale and promoting a greener future. That’s very rare!” says Dimmen.
Managing director Peter Uhrenholt of Hydro Extrusion Norway AS says he is happy with the way the collaboration is progressing.
“We are extremely excited to have been chosen as supplier for a unique product like the Auk Mini. I really like the design and the functionality of it, but also the concept of working together on a local level, and using recycled aluminium, is definitely part of our sustainability journey,” says Uhrenholt.