Aloha Pro: Haworth’s latest sustainability milestone

Haworth’s latest sustainability milestone: the Aloha Pro office chair

At Haworth, our goal is to create workspaces that help people perform at their best. Circular design principles are a crucial part of that goal, because healthier products mean healthier people. We aim to be more sustainable with each product, from our materials to our manufacturing processes to our shipping strategies. With that in mind, we are thrilled that our newest office chair is also our latest sustainability milestone.

Not long ago, we launched Haworth Cardigan Lounge™, the most sustainable lounge chair we’d produced up to that point. In each material category – including foam, fabric, and metal – we used the most sustainable option available. We’re extremely proud of that product, and the lessons we learned during the process proved invaluable.

We brought everything we learned from Haworth Cardigan to Aloha Pro. For each material, we’ve taken the same approach: we used the best feasible option. That led to different choices in Europe and Asia; we’ll share what we’ve done for both regions. 

Why is Aloha Pro such an important step in our sustainability journey?

Available in either mesh or full fabric upholstery, the Aloha Pro office chair is our latest sustainability milestone.

From the start, Aloha Pro was designed to last. Circular principles informed the choice of each component. Every part, from the wheels to the backrest, is crafted for durability, ease of repair, and recyclability. And Aloha Pro shares components with other Haworth products, which streamlines maintenance while decreasing waste. 

We emphasised extended life and end-of-life throughout Aloha Pro’s design process. Because using fewer products for longer is usually the most sustainable option, we made Aloha Pro easy to repair and refurbish. And we planned for as many components as possible to re-enter high quality use cycles.

With Aloha Pro, you’ll get a premium office chair experience for many, many years. In Aloha Pro’s budget class, this longevity and comfort is unprecedented.

We pursued two different foam options in Europe and Asia.

What is biomass balance foam?

Aloha Pro chairs made in Europe use mass-balanced foam, which performs like traditional foam, but with a smaller carbon footprint. During production, mass-balanced foam replaces fossil fuels with certified renewable or recycled inputs, lowering overall emissions.

What is bio-based foam?

Aloha Pro chairs made in Asia use bio-based foam. Bio-based foam performs just like traditional foam, but it is crafted with a certain percentage of renewable materials. (Aloha Pro’s foam uses 29% bio-based content.) These renewable materials include plant oils and organic waste. Using renewable materials reduces reliance on fossil fuels, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint.

Global manufacturers have a frequent challenge: different regions offer different material possibilities. For Aloha Pro, we decided to make the most circular chair we could, based on the materials that were locally available – leading us to choose two different sustainable foam alternatives. 

For seating products, foam alternatives are surging – but this alternative foam revolution is in its early stages, which means the most sustainable option varies in each market. In Europe, Aloha Pro uses foam produced with a mass-balanced approach, substituting part of the fossil resources with certified renewable or recycled feedstocks. In Asia, Aloha Pro uses bio-based foam that contains 29% renewable materials such as plant oils and organic waste. This local approach not only meets strict environmental standards but also supports local supply chains and helps reduce emissions.

We minimised the size of Aloha Pro’s packaging, which reduces freight cost and increases fuel efficiency while shipping. 

Aloha Pro’s mesh back connects easily without glue, so assembly is tool-free. Disassembly is also simple, so parts can be recycled at end-of-life. 

On average, the recycled content in Aloha Pro’s plastic components is 20% in both Europe and Asia Pacific.  Aloha Pro’s base is made of 98% recycled resin, and the arms contain more than 60% recycled content. At the end of Aloha Pro’s product lifecycle, 87% of the materials can be recycled.

The most sustainable products are not always the most accessible. That’s why Aloha Pro is such a gamechanger: this is sustainable, premium task seating – and it’s affordable. 

From the start, we aimed to make premium sustainability more accessible. Startups and small businesses need furniture that enhances their flexible work styles and aligns with their environmental values. Aloha Pro is ideal for designers, startups, or creative firms that want to bring eco-conscious comfort to everyone on the team. 

Even with our strict sustainability standards, Aloha Pro’s colours and finishes are extensive. With a myriad of aesthetic options, Aloha Pro will fit right in, whether you’re designing an energetic space for teamwork or a calming area for solo focus work.

Seen here in mint mesh, Aloha Pro can match any aesthetic.

Aloha Pro is a milestone in our sustainability journey. From the castors to the top of the backrest, Aloha Pro embodies our circular design philosophy. We used the best materials we could feasibly use, adapting our approach in Europe and Asia. We kept extended life and end-of-life in mind, with a special focus on repair and refurbishment. With innovative foam alternatives, minimised adhesives, and a thoughtful approach to packaging, Aloha Pro is our latest sustainability milestone. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. 

Our journey toward sustainability is ongoing. We’ll continue proposing new ideas through open dialogue with designers, customers, and partners. Aloha Pro is just one step, but it's a big one. Office chairs can be supportive, responsible, and accessible – Aloha Pro proves it.

If you’re looking for a comfortable office chair that matches your environmental goals and design preferences, Aloha Pro is ready to go for your next project.

Aloha Pro is a starter office chair well suited for hybrid and remote workers, fast-paced startups, and any budget-limited workplace.