Press releases | 09/05/2024 Liebherr: for the first time, a freezer achieves Cradle to Cradle Certified® status

For seven decades, Liebherr has been characterised by its high-quality solutions and pioneering spirit, driving the company to create innovations that are unparallelled in the industry. These values are also reflected in its commitment to greater sustainability. The most recent example was the launch of the BluRoX insulation technology last year, which enables a recyclable product design. While developing the technology, the manufacturer was guided by the science-based cradle-to-cradle principle.

FNXa 522i follows the principles of circular economy

Designed for efficiency, recyclability and ease of repair, the FNXa 552i freezer follows the principles of circular economy. These efforts have been rewarded with the industry-leading Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze certification.

“The FNXa 522i is a work of real innovation that highlights our role as a pioneer in the industry. For us, Cradle to Cradle Certified proves two things. On one hand, it shows that by thinking in new ways, it is possible to create recyclable product concepts in our appliance category. On the other, it is a reliable mark of sustainability for responsible consumers who are looking to buy a product that is kind to the environment”, explains Steffen Nagel, Managing Director Sales & Marketing of Liebherr-Hausgeräte GmbH.

Comprehensive certification process according to worldwide standards

Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a registered trademark of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute and serves as proof of the particular environmental quality of a product. The certification is awarded following an extensive evaluation process, which Liebherr has undergone in cooperation with the research and consulting company EPEA. The process is based on a comprehensive global and industry-wide standard that products are designed and evaluated against to ensure that they are contributing to a healthy, fair and sustainable future. The Liebherr FNXa 522i was assessed across five categories: material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness. Once the freezer had been evaluated and optimised in collaboration with EPEA, an audit was carried out and, once complete, the certificate was issued by the independent certification institute Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII) on 2/9/2024.

FNXa 522i combines the advantages of BluRoX with practical customer benefits

The new FNXa 522i, which Liebherr is presenting at this year’s IFA in Berlin, is the first freezer to make full use of BluRoX technology. Instead of conventional polyurethane (PU) foam, BluRoX utilises a far more effective form of cold insulation: a vacuum. Finely ground lava stone, known as perlite, stabilises the evacuated components. The housing of the FNXa 522i consists of a vacuum body that is stabilised by perlite. Once the appliance has reached the end of its service life, the raw material perlite can be removed and reused without the need for significant processing. Moreover, because the BluRoX insulation is not bonded to the surrounding components, the outer shell and inner container can also be easily reprocessed and reused.

The FNXa 522i promises consumers more than just a sustainably thought-out product concept. However, the use of BluRoX technology offers consumers even more practical benefits. The 185-cm-high freezer will attain the highest energy efficiency rating, energy efficiency class A. To make this long-lasting appliance even easier to repair, the technology is compactly installed in the base in an easily replaceable module. Not to mention, the thinner BluRoX outer walls mean a larger usable volume. The FNXa 522i boasts 30 percent (equivalent to 80 litres) more capacity when compared to a conventional freezer with the same exterior dimensions. This makes the FNXa 522i ideal for customers who value sustainability and efficient use of space.