KITCHEN & BATHROOM
KITCHEN & BATHROOM LIFESTYLE Combining Innovation with Style Beurer takes an aesthetic approach to wellbeing Beurer, the family-owned business from Ulm, unveiled a diverse range of new products at its press conference on Friday. A naturalistic theme pervades the new MaterialLIne, which includes the PS 890 bathroom scales, a weighing device consisting of hundreds of natural pebbles. The GS 360 3D, meanwhile, is a premium glass set of body scales decorated with a dramatic 3D water droplet design. An equally striking aesthetic is on show in the new multifunction KS 39 solar kitchen scales, where environmental compatibility takes centre stage. In the same line, the KS 80 is a glass set of scales combined with a sophisticated weather station, based on hourly air pressure comparisons. Another innovation is the KS 45, a folding bowl with a capacity of 1.6 litres, that presses flat in one simple step. Beurer’s Shiatsu seat cover brings together the relaxing properties of Asian Shiatsu massage and the calming power of music. The cover has two integrated loudspeakers that deliver the user’s music via an MP3 player, smartphone or similar device via a 3.5mm audio cable. While users are enjoying this treat for the ears, two rotating massage heads, three different massage settings, and a light and heat function, The Remington Touch Control Hair Clipper features touchscreen technology that allows the user to adjust the length of the blades by tiny amounts, from 0.4mm up to 42mm for long hair and fringes. There are also three different trimming speeds which can be switched on if desired, take care of their physical wellbeing. In the beauty range, Beurer showcased its new Elle by Beurer facial skincare range, a professional range for facial cleansing and care. The highlight of the collection is the innovative FCE75 Pureo Skin Clear antiacne stick, which removes skin impurities gently and without irritating the skin. All appliances provided by the Tri Boost system. The clipper also features ergonomic design and, for the thoroughly modern executive on the move, can be charged via a USB port. According to Remington Session feature an elegant design in understated white, combined with metal applications. » HALL 4.1 / STAND 205 Hair Sculpting Made Easy The GS 360 3D –glass scales decorated with a dramatic 3D water droplet design Stylist Chris Appleton: “Many men think that clippers are only suitable for hair that is uniformly short – the buzz-cut look – but in fact you can create depth, texture and definition,” he says. “In fact you can use a wide range of settings to create lots of different styles.” » HALL 3.1 / STAND 104 LESS FAT, MORE FLAVOUR Philips is unveiling its next-generation Airfryer, which promises to deliver fried food with 80% less fat but 100% of the taste. The new Avance Airfryer XL features Philips’ new and improved Rapid Air technology, which not only produces deliciously crispy food, but also makes grilling, roasting and baking possible. Despite its compact size, the Avance Airfryer XL offers 50% more capacity. Optional extras include an extra-large baking accessory and a double-layer accessory with skewers for grilled kebabs. » HALL 22 / STAND 101 Philips’ Avance Airfryer XL 36
Green Page 30 Years of Sustainability Sharp’s continuous sustainability reviews have resulted in some of the world’s greenest products GREENPEACE Greenpeace’s Cool IT leader board evaluates global IT companies on their leadership in the fight to stop climate change. The IT sector possesses the innovative spirit, technological know-how, and political influence to bring about a rapid clean energy revolution. Companies , like Google, IBM and Microsoft have already redefined many parts of the global economy with business that emphasizes rapid innovation, iteration and unprecedented gains in productivity. The current version of the leader board is Greenpeace's fourth evaluation of the IT sector's climate leadership. Companies have been and will be added or removed from future editions of the leader board in accordance with their leadership performance. The leaderboard includes a cross-section of the most significant and influential companies in the sector, and those which have previously demonstrated their ability to drive innovative change. Greenpeace’s Cool IT Leaderboard In 1971 Sharp founded its Environmental Technology Centre, and ever since then, the company has been amongst the leaders in long term sustainable manufacturing practices. Sebastian Stiegler, Sharp’s Manager of Environment Promotion tells IFA International what’s next… Ever since we started the Environmental Technology Centre we have constantly revised and reviewed how we work and its environmental impact. So from a historical point of view it’s clear that Sharp is fully committed to ecological initiatives, and that we are in this for the long term, and we will continue to go forward and develop these projects in the future. Ever since you opened the factory at Sakai it has been described as an ultra green facility, how is the factory evolving? Sakai is our flagship plant, and just last year it was certified ISO 14001 which is proof of continuous improvement and upgrades in ecological protection. Currently our focus is on further reducing emissions at Sakai, for example the whole factory is now using LED lighting which will drastically reduce emissions. We have also done everything we can to eliminate short distance cross-factory transport, which again reduces C02 emissions. We also have a centralised energy management system which allows us to make full use of our energy reduction potential. So we have an exemplary production plant and we are using it as a model for the factories that we intend to build in the future. Our efforts have also been recognised by independent third parties with several awards, including an excellence award from Nikai as well as a Sustainable Architecture Award from the Osaka regional authorities. How is Sharp making its products greener? When you take a critical look at what our competitors are doing, what the media is saying, and what the public believe, sustainability is generally perceived as only being about energy efficiency, but this is not how we see things. For us a green product is not defined by a single specification, or even by a particular region of the world, we regard environmental sustainability as a global issue, and that we have to meet green standards in every region. So we have a monitoring system looking at how ecological trends are developing, and we regularly revise our green guidelines “We have a monitoring system looking at how ecological trends are developing, and we regularly revise our green guidelines according to the information we collect” Sebastian Stiegler, Sharp’s Manager of Environment Promotion according to the information we collect, and we adjust our budgets accordingly. This is something that we started in 1998 and update on an annual basis, but not in terms of downsizing, it’s much more a question of upsizing our guidelines and commitment. For example in Europe we adhere to the Eco Flower standard which is the highest benchmark for sustainability, and is recognised by third parties much more than eco labelling made by an individual company for its own products, that are not trusted by consumers. Sharp was the first company to be awarded the EU Eco label for its TVs, and we found that there was significant positive feedback from both dealers and consumers. What are the mid to long term goals in further developing sustainable initiatives for Sharp? From a European perspective we are currently undergoing some restructuring, which I believe will give us more room to tailor our products to the European market. We will still have a corporate and global strategy, but I think we should take on other regional challenges , and move towards greater resource efficiency as well as producing advanced ecological products which we can then market even better. Hall 18 Stand 102 www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Tuesday 4 th September 2012 37
