August 17 2008

Alkemi Recycled Surface Material: Sustainable to the recycled core

Alkemi_Image 01

Alkemi is a recycled aluminum solid surfacing material made right here in Baltimore (Maryland). The product is composite of a polyester-based medium and post-industrial scrap waste soft-alloy aluminum flake fillers for texture. Recycled content is 35% by weight or 60% by volume as certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). In addition, Alkemi's manufacturer, Renewed Materials LLC, claims that the product has no hazardous environmental footprint and can be applied to a variety of LEED credits including Recycled Content (MR 4.1/4.2), Locally Extracted Materials (MR 5.1/5.2), and Low-VOC (EQ).

Alkemi Textured FinishAlkemi Honed Finish 

The material is available in Textured, Classic and Honed finishes as well as a select number of opaque finishes. Installation of the product is similar to most other solid surface materials meaning that it can be cut and shaped using 'conventional woodworking machinery' such as saws, routers and CNC machines. The manufacturer recommends that Classic and Honed finishes can be sanded and joined seamlessly, whereas Textured must be cut and glued which leaves a small joint visible.

Alkemi Anodize Textured FinishAlkemi Anodize Honed Finish

Alkemi is the kind of material we as designers should search out in projects. It is strikingly beautiful. It is sustainable. And it is produced locally (for those in Maryland). I argue that a product like Alkemi has a beauty, a holistic beauty, that becomes more and more meaningful as the aesthetic, manufacture, delivery, installation and recycling aspects become exposed. Can a material be considered beautiful if it leaves a wreck of the environment and local economy? I say no. It means that designers have to set sustainability goals and help material manufacturers generate the next generation of holistically beautiful building products.

Alkemi Opaque Honed Finish - Lace 3000Alkemi Opaque Honed Finish - Rootbeer

For more information please visit the Alkemi website.

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June 1st, 2009 at 10:08 AM

Greenline Alkemi Recycled Surface Material Sustainable to the | Portable Greenhouse

[...] Greenline Alkemi Recycled Surface Material Sustainable to the Posted by root 4 minutes ago (http://greenlineblog.com) The manufacturer recommends that classic and honed finishes can be sanded and joined post a comment or leave a trackback trackback url the build up of greenhouse gases and explore the repercussions for today world and powered by wordpress amp sandbox futu Discuss  |  Bury |  News | Greenline Alkemi Recycled Surface Material Sustainable to the [...]

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