Chair Database
Myto
Designed by:
Grcic K
Co-Designed by:
–
Designer:
Konstantin Grcic
Co-Designer:
–
Country of Origin (Designer):
Germany
Date of Design:
2008
Date of Manufacture:
2008
Decade:
2000s
Region:
Europe
Significance:
Cantilevered design developed to demonstrate Ultradur High Speed plastic from BASF
Manufacturer:
Plank
Country of Origin (Manufacturer):
Italy
Material:
PBT
Process:
Injection moulded
Monobloc:
Yes
Cantilever:
Yes
Renewable Carbon:
No
ERPR Score:
NA
ERPR Rating:
NA
Weight:
5.6
Note:
The stackable, cantilevered, monobloc Myto owes its existence to the German chemical company, BSAF who were looking to showcase their product, Ultradore High Speed plastic (polybutylene terephthalate – PBT). Markets had been developed for Ultradore in the automotive and electrical sectors and BASF now sought to increase demand by demonstrating the benefits of the material to the furniture industry. Ultradore has many characteristics of relevance to the furniture industry – it is less viscose than most plastics – it runs like water in a mould, allowing for much finer detailing than could be previously achieved with moulded chairs. The plastic is cold and heat resistant, does not fade in sunlight, it is strong and resilient, 100% recyclable and was awarded the eco-efficiency seal. To move the chair into production the German academics from BASF worked closely with the engineers from the Italian manufacturer, Plank. Once the 200,000 euro mould was complete it took 15 attempts to get the formulae for the plastic correct, striking the right balance between strength and flexibility for this challenging cantilevered design. The mesh for the seating and backrest had to be redesigned late in the process to ensure sufficient molten plastic could reach the thinnest parts of the design while retaining the flexibility required to enhance comfort.
Image Credit:
Plank