The first Cradle to Cradle Certified® freezer
To us, product responsibility means looking at the entire lifecycle of an appliance. We work hard to be part of the circular economy by internalising the principles of Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C). Instead of following the “take-make-waste” model, C2C promotes a circular approach for continuous reuse, recycling, and biodegradation. The goal is to leave behind the smallest possible ecological footprint. This breaks with traditional thinking and encourages reconceptualising products and services from start to finish; or from cradle to cradle.
Our first appliance to follow the principles of Cradle-to-Cradle is the FNXa 522i freezer with BluRoX technology. The development of this freezer meant completely changing the way we think about freezer technology. This process took over 10 years and marked an important milestone in our journey. A journey that we believe points the way to a future where kitchens are as sustainable as they are necessary. A future that is not lineal, but circular.
10 years of development: get to know some of the people behind the revolutionary freezer in our FNXa 522i video.
“Cradle-to-Cradle is a journey; our goal is to be useful to the earth”.
Dr. Annette Winterl | EPEA Lead Consultant
The three principles of Cradle-to-Cradle
The Cradle-to-Cradle design philosophy is based om three core principles that redefine sustainability and help us to develop closed, regenerative systems and products.
Thinking in circles
Cradle-to-Cradle operates with two complementary cycles: the biological cycle where biodegradable material returns to nature, and the technology cycle that concentrates on products that have been designed for reuse, repair, or recycling.
In the technology cycle, non-biodegradable products are used in a way that they do not damage the environment. Products in the technology cycle are designed to be re-used, repaired, or recycled.
In the biological cycle products are made from biodegradable material with no harmful additives. These products break down naturally and return to the biosphere, and aids the regeneration of natural resources.
The Cradle to Cradle Certified® certification
Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a renowned certification standard for products developed for the circular economy. Products are evaluated on the basis of set criteria in the categories: material health, recyclability, clean air and climate protection, water and soil protection, and social fairness. Certification involves several levels and aims for the continuous development of products and processes.
“There are a thousand small steps that lead to big change”.
Dr. Florian Claudel
Liebherr | Material Specialist
Circular design: Our BluRoX technology
The path to our latest innovation was made up of countless small steps. It made us completely change how we think about refrigeration and freezing technology. The result is BluRoX, our revolutionary vacuum perlite insulation that follows the principles of the circular economy. The technology is not just extremely energy efficient, it also allowed us to build a freezer where all of the components can be reused.
BluRoX – our innovation in vacuum perlite technology
BluRoX is significantly more efficient than conventional foam insulation. Instead of polyurethane foam (PU), BluRoX uses a much more effective form of cold insulation: a vacuum. Finely ground lava stone, known as perlite, stabilises the evacuated components. The low thermal conductivity of perlite combined with the insulation properties of the vacuum ensures very high energy efficiency.
Once a BluRoX appliance has reached the end of its service life, the perlite can be removed and reused without the need for significant processing. In addition, the BluRoX insulation is not irreversibly adhered to the surrounding components, which means that the outer shell and interior casing can also easily be reconditioned and reused.
FNXa 522i – the first Cradle to Cradle Certified® freezer
Liebherr has been a pioneer in the development of innovative refrigeration technology since 1954. Our FNXa 522i freezer, equipped with the patented BluRoX technology, furthers this pioneering spirit. Arising out of volcanic stone and a courageous idea, we have changed how we think about freezing technology from the ground up, and revolutionised it.
From day one, efficiency, reusability, and repairability has been integrated into the product design, completely in line with the circular economy. This can also be seen on the refrigeration module in the base compartment, which can be easily removed to enable quick maintenance. IN addition, important components can be separated and sorted at the end of the life cycle and reused, which reduces the impact on the environment.
Awarded with the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze
The Liebherr FNXa 522i freezer was awarded the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze certification: proof of our commitment to sustainability and our innovative product design.
“We had to completely change the way we think about freezers”.
Jochen Hiemeyer
Liebherr | Team leader Vacuum Technology
Maximum energy efficiency
Easy to repair
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More volume
Corporate Responsibility
As a family-run company, Liebherr thinks in terms of generations and bases its actions on long-term success, sustainable development, stability, and reliability. These principles shape the value-oriented corporate culture and the self-image of the Liebherr Group, and are also reflected in the responsibility to employees, business partners, society, and the environment.