A loudspeaker for treehuggers with golden ears - the first speaker ever built using holocellulose
Teenage engineering and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden have built a speaker cabinet of holocellulose – a newly researched material with some unique properties. It is wood as we know it – but in pure white. Most importantly, it is easy to recycle to become something completely different like apparel, transparent film or even a moisturiser.
The material, holocellulose, is developed by researchers at RISE through an innovative way of controlling whiteness in wood. the end result is pure wood free from additives such as paint or dye in a purely white color.
The pureness of the wood gives it some unique properties in addition to the color. In RISEs preliminary testing, it doesn’t become yellow when ageing like a sheet of office paper or gray like a wooden deck does when exposed to outdoors – it remains completely white. Since there are no additives, it is perfect for reuse.
The holocellulose cabinet can easily be repurposed to become something completely different like apparel, transparent film or even a moisturiser —without the need of separating out additives.
“At teenage engineering we design products to last for decades. We spend a lot of time on all aspects. design, engineering, manufacturing – it all requires a lot of effort to create something stands the test of time. Building this unique edition of the OD-11 together with RISE is an exploration in how we can push that envelope even further,” says Jesper Kouthoofd, head of design at teenage engineering.
“Teenage engineering and RISE both share the vision of creating a more sustainable society and we play different roles in making that happen. for us, it’s a lot about developing materials that are useful for companies like teenage engineering while being sustainably sourced and viable for manufacturers to produce in an environmentally friendly way. Challenges remain with products like the OD-11 since it still contains materials like metal and glue that complicate recycling, but this is a big step in the right direction. It is together that we can make a difference,” says Dina Dedic, research leader at RISE.
For more information please contact
Marcus Blom, digital marketing manager, teenage engineering: +46 70 611 68 20, press@teenage.engineering
Dina Dedic, research leader RISE: +46 76 876 71 39, dina.dedic@ri.se
teenage engineering
Teenage engineering develops highly acclaimed products for people who love sound, music and design. The company's first product OP-1, the portable wonder synthesizer, is used by world famous artists and was unveiled 2010. In 2014 the OD-11 ortho directional wireless loudspeaker was exclusively launched at moma nyc. The pocket operator series released 2016, with currently nine units available, now represents the most affordable musical instruments available. Teenage engineering is based in Stockholm, Sweden. The company was founded 2007.
RISE
RISE is the Swedish Research Institute and innovation partner. In international collaboration with industry, academia and the public sector, we ensure the competitiveness of the business community and contribute to a sustainable society. Our 2,700 employees support and promote all manner of innovative processes. RISE is an independent, state-owned research institute that offers unique expertise and about 100 testbeds and demonstration facilities, instrumental in future-proofing technologies, products and services.
http://www.ri.se
