Dekker Zevenhuizen on green chain transparency: ‘We know everything!’

On green chain transparency and sustainable message to consumers

Architects are also increasingly faced with the MKI (Environmental Cost Indicator) during the design process. The lower the MKI value, the less environmental damage and the more sustainable the product is. And, the more interesting it becomes for the end user. At Dekker Zevenhuizen, they know all about it. “For the vast majority of our countertops, Greengridz® is the best sustainable option,” says Ben van Elk, responsible for marketing. “What is additionally becoming more important in the current zeitgeist is that architects should be able to see how we arrived at the MKI value of a product. There is a need for transparency. And, rightly so.”

The green chain is therefore becoming more visible than ever, as far as Ben is concerned. “An architect wants to know the difference between Greengridz® and other alternatives such as plywood. The difference is mainly in less CO2 emissions, less water consumption during the production phase and less material, which means we need less forest and land area.” But exactly how much is that difference? Green chain transparency is therefore essential for scoring a good EQI. “Insight is the real success story. Thanks to our own life-cycle calculations, we have a complete picture from tree to end-of-life.”

(The pursuit of) sustainability has been in the DNA of the company from the start. This is exactly why Dekker Zevenhuizen feels it is a positive booster in the chain. “Thereby we are always looking for long-term collaborations”, explains Ben. “Only then you can develop and innovate good (thus: sustainable) products. In addition, we notice that the demand for sustainable products is also growing among consumers. Fortunately, we have reached a point where design and quality no longer require any concessions. The end customer ‘simply’ wants a beautiful kitchen worktop, but also wants to be sure that everything has been done properly in production. In other words, sustainable.”

With Greengridz®, that sustainability is demonstrably recorded in the EPD. The EPD can be downloaded from the MRPI website.

What is Greengridz®?

Greengridz® is an innovative and sustainable base material that is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional board materials such as particleboard and plywood. The material stands out for its unique grid structure, which requires up to 60% fewer raw materials for production. This results in significant weight savings, which not only facilitates installation but also drastically reduces CO2 emissions during transportation.

Despite its light weight, Greengridz® is strong, impact resistant and, thanks to its TopLaminate finish, water resistant. This makes it suitable for intensively used surfaces, such as kitchen countertops and office furniture. The material can also be reused and is FSC-certified, which means it can be recycled at the end of its useful life without harmful residual waste.

In the Netherlands it is widely used by manufacturers such as Dekker Zevenhuizen. By choosing Greengridz®, consumers and companies contribute directly to a smaller ecological footprint, without compromising on quality or design. It is a tangible example of how technical innovation is paving the way for a circular economy in interior design.