INTERVIEW Creating quality comfort Norbert Müller tells Amber Hickman how Continental designs practical and sustainable materials for cruise ship interiors Continental made its debut in the cruise and marine sector in 2010 with an upholstery material for bed headboards. Following this, the firm worked on several different projects across the cruise sector and further intensified its focus on material development three years ago after realising its products could meet some of the industry’s specific needs. “Furniture onboard a cruise ship will have many people using it every day, meaning easy-to-clean and high durability materials are crucial,” says Norbert Müller, senior sales manager for the cruise industry at Continental. “We developed our materials to perform outstandingly well on nearly all types of upholstered furniture that can be found within the demanding environment of a cruise ship. Our materials provide a unique combination of value, design, robustness and cleanability.” Continental has developed several new technologies to improve the quality of its coverings. For example, its staynu technology is used to create dirt-resistant and hardwearing surface materials to ensure substances such as food and drink won’t stick to the material. According to Müller, “even permanent marker can be easily removed with isopropyl”, making it ideal for areas such as dining and entertainment spaces onboard cruise ships. Throughout its development process, Continental maintains high environmental sustainability standards. For example, its range of artificial leathers includes skai Evida Fiber, which is made with 90 per cent bio-based materials, and skai VyP Coffee, which is made with used coffee grounds and combined with Continental’s laif technology to make the surface breathable. “Our commitment to sustainability has intensified in recent years, guided by our motto ‘sustainability starts at the surface’,” says Müller. “Through our global research and development departments, we continuously strive to enhance the performance and sustainability of our products. “Furthermore, the creative expertise of our international design team ensures our materials also feature trendy designs, colours and haptics so they are not only environmentally friendly, but visually appealing too.” Furniture onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas was upholstered with Continental materials Photo: Continental/Royal Caribbean International “ We continuously strive to enhance the performance and sustainability of our products” 151
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