Landscape & Urban Design Issue 30 2018 | Page 17

manufacturing within a contained area will bring environmental benefits by keeping ’road miles’ to a minimum. All Vestre’s production is carried out in Scandinavia, using the shortest possible delivery routes. is solvent-free and applied using advanced nozzles that ensure full coverage. The resulting high quality finish of Corrosion Class C5 will withstand the most corrosive of atmospheric conditions. Investment in modern production facilities brings about improvements in efficiency: robotic cutting and welding, for instance, ensure high quality and precision, minimal use of resources, and less waste than traditional methods. Timber - is impregnated with natural linseed oil (the eco-friendly Linax system) which offers lasting protection against rot and is virtually maintenance-free. Vestre’s production utilises renewable energy, with major benefits: A long product lifecycle is good for the environment and ‘disposable’ solutions are avoided so as not to unnecessarily use finite resources. Initial outlay will ideally deliver a lengthy lifespan with minimal maintenance requirements, along with the availability of spare parts should a product be damaged. The use of only Nordic steel means greenhouse gas emissions for the material are 30% lower than the average global steel producer. Hot-dip galvanising, which provides permanent rust protection, is carried out in a bath of molten zinc, at a temperature o f 450oC. This energy intensive process has a significantly lower impact due to the employment of renewable energy. Material Selection Choice of materials also plays a key role in sustainable production; Vestre uses only Nordic materials: Steel – only Nordic steel is used, which is dimensioned to cope with rough use and processed to maximise durability. High quality steel also ensures excellent adhesion of the galvanising alloy layer that protects against rust. Polyester powder coating – the powder Whole Life Cost Lengthy warranties bring certainty that a product will be fit for use for many years: Vestre’s warranties are lifetime anti-rust warranty for steel components, 15-year adhesion warranty for painted surfaces that have not been subjected to mechanical damage or corrosive chemicals etc, 15-year warranty on timber applies to damage caused by rot. Vestre works systematically to reduce its impact on the environment and it is their aim to obtain climate certification for all products. The first supplier of climate-neutral furniture for urban environments, sustainability information can be downloaded from www.vestre.com 17