Innovation and sustainability: Kronospan brings the industry together to talk about responsible Design

On May 8, Kronospan hosted an inspiring technical event at its Design Center in Barcelona under the theme “Innovation and Responsible Design: Transformative Sustainability in Space Planning.” The event brought together architects, designers and manufacturers to reflect on current challenges in sustainability, environmental regulations and material selection in interior design.

The session combined expert talks, hands-on material experiences and a networking brunch to close the day.

Circular Economy applied to materials: Kronospan’s approach

The day began with a presentation by Joan Gaya, Commercial Manager at Kronospan, who explained how the company—global leader in wood-based panel manufacturing—integrates circular economy principles into its production processes. Founded in 1897, Kronospan operates an international network of facilities across Europe, Asia and the U.S., supplying materials for furniture, interior design and construction industries.

Gaya outlined three pillars of the company’s sustainability strategy:

1. True circularity: collection, reuse, and recycling to minimize waste.
2. Preference for recycled wood, lowering environmental impact.
3. Investments in renewable energy, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, and cogeneration projects.

These initiatives align with the European Union’s 2030 Agenda, especially in reducing the carbon footprint of the building sector.

“Building homes like cars: Industrializing Housing”

Then, architect Ignasi Pérez Arnal, CEO of ATOM Modular (modular home manufacturer), focused on the urgent need to industrialize construction. According to his data, Spain builds 84,000 homes per year, while demand exceeds 170,000. Pérez Arnal showcased fully industrialized modular wooden homes with scalable capacity. He also emphasized the strategic importance of the PERTE for Industrialized Housing—a €1.3 billion initiative aimed at building 15,000 homes.

“Material selection is not about aesthetics, it’s strategic”

Joan Ferré, CEO of Essenthia Contract (a contract furniture manufacturer), highlighted the growing importance of choosing sustainable and functional materials without compromising design. He noted the upcoming Regulation 214/2025, which will require large companies and public entities to calculate and publish their carbon footprint, with plans to extend the regulation to the wider production sector.

Panel discussion and design trends

The session concluded with a panel discussion exploring how design, materials and manufacturing are evolving in response to regulatory pressures.

Kronodesign Trend Collection: “Designing Reality”

Later, Kronospan’s team, including Carolina Franzi and Emilia Losano, introduced the new Kronodesign Trend Collection—versatile and sustainable, catering to various styles and applications:

• Pause: warm colors for spas, hotels, and residential spaces.
• Blend: balanced tones for offices and commercial areas.
• Connect: bold colors and stone-like finishes, perfect for hospitality and coworking spaces.
• Evolve: organic and futuristic designs for innovative projects.

Attendees engaged directly with the materials in the showroom, exploring their properties and discovering new potential applications.

The day wrapped up with a networking brunch where professionals exchanged ideas and forged new connections in the inspiring setting of the Kronospan Design Center in Barcelona.