Green by Design

Design is not just about form; it is a process that integrates technology, function and the aesthetic into a single thought. At ALNO, this process has evolved further with the increased awareness of environmental concerns, as well as a new appreciation for our natural resources and the impact that manufacturing has on the world around us.

From the very beginning in 1927, Albert Nothdurft, the founder of ALNO, was conscious of the impact on the environment and the effect of limited and dwindling resources. Now, as then, ALNO has taken the next step forward in product design by leading the industry in a renaissance of high-design and global responsibility.

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For over 80 years, ALNO has led the industry in “green” manufacturing, long before it became fashionable. For over 20 years, ALNO has been using non-toxic paints and lacquers, free from heavy metals and low in emissions. ALNO products are manufactured using recycled and regenerated wood from certified resources as well as the continued use of non-toxic laminates, aluminum, glass and technical veneers. ALNO only uses lumber, veneers and wood panels from fully managed and sustainable forests.

The factory itself is a living statement in sustainability with its “Zero Waste” resource management system, whereby all waste is either reconstituted into new materials or used as fuel to heat the factory, saving 3 million liters of heating oil each year. As the first to implement such standards, the ALNO factory is hailed as a role model of “Green” manufacturing by the German government.

 

On the global stage, ALNO is recognized for its unparalleled production quality and is unequaled on the forefront of green kitchen technology. New technologies set the standards for efficiency in production and quality control. However, this has not made ALNO complacent; they believe that they can always improve themselves and for this very reason ALNO, her factories and products are continually evolving, so that they might sustain and push forward the industry standard. Consistently shunning wasteful habits of mainstream manufacturing, ALNO has given thoughtful consideration to the future. Those manufacturers, who utilize materials and techniques without a thought to the impact on the world around them, must now make choices out of necessity and consequence. ALNO believes that everyone has a global obligation to protect the environment and to secure our natural resources now and for generations to come. ALNO…green by choice…green by design.

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At ALNO, the reduction and elimination of waste has always been a fundamental manufacturing element.  With computerization of the manufacturing process and OTM (On Time Manufacturing) practices, ALNO controls the environment used in production and has eliminated the need to stockpile and warehouse large quantities of raw materials.  It is also a standard practice to recycle all wood cuttings and sawdust.  In addition, ALNO uses only controlled growth forests for its veneers and solid wood doors.  By managing production and waste properly, we become more aware of the environment around us and our obligation to the world at large. 

 

ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

ALNO, as well as its primary suppliers, have invested both time and money into research and development in order to manufacture without the use of toxic materials often associated with the production of lacquers and plastics. From the very beginning, ALNO had no difficulty complying with the standards of safety adopted by the European Community. At ALNO, the final quality of our product, as well as the environmental results of production, are serious matters, about which everybody feels responsible. Thus, even the things not produced inside ALNO become a part of ALNO.

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INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY

Production management is a condition that cannot be sacrificed if one wants to control the manufacturing process and the quality of the final product. Internationally, ALNO is recognized and accredited for its unparalleled, consistent, quality production. As a technological vanguard, ALNO is without equal. In fact, some of the world’s finest manufacturers of machines, as well as facilities operation managers, study and test new technologies, materials, and procedures at ALNO. Our new technologies set the standards for efficiency in production and quality control. However, this has not made us complacent; we believe we can always improve ourselves. For this reason, ALNO factories and products are continually evolving, so we can set the industry standard.

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GREEN FEATURES

  • All raw materials are toxic free, renewable and exceed all EU (European Union) standards.
  • Manufacturing waste and cuttings are either recycled or is used in the heating of the factory.
  • Lacquer Finishes are applied under environmentally controlled conditions.
  • All natural wood finishes and veneers are from renewable resources.
  • ABS edge banding (a non-carcinogen) is used when required, in lieu of PVC (a known carcinogen).
  • Exceeding the EU, E-1 requirement of “Zero to No” release of formaldehyde gases.

 

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