Working with Pikolin Group at the forefront for more sustainable Bultex mattresses
The Pikolin Group has grown from its roots in Zaragoza, Spain to become a leading player in the Spanish and French mattress industry. Its market-leading brands include Bultex, Epeda and Merinos in France and Pikolin, Lattoflex and Bultex in Spain. Responding to growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious products, Pikolin sought a cost-effective way to improve the so-called "HABITONS MIEUX" sustainability score1 of their Bultex polyurethane foam mattresses in one of their target markets. Their goal was to enhance sustainability while maintaining the excellent comfort properties of their products.
Bultex is a brand of polyurethane foam mattresses known for its unique cellular structure that ensures temperature regulation, breathability and high durability. To meet regional regulations in the French target market and increasing consumer demand for mattresses with a reduced environmental impact, Pikolin aimed to reach a specific threshold of sustainably sourced materials in its mattresses. The key challenge was to identify alternative raw materials for Bultex that could meet these requirements while maintaining production flexibility across their diverse product range - all while managing cost implications.
It takes vision, courage, and commitment to drive real change—Pikolin is pioneering sustainability in the industry, setting new standards with bold action. We at Covestro are proud to support and collaborate with such forward-thinking partners, as together we push the industry toward a more sustainable future.
Our collaboration with Pikolin began with an open, strategic dialogue to fully understand their sustainability goals and market requirements. While every product in our CQ portfolio offers substantial CO2-reduction potential in the end product, increasing the use of renewable feedstock while balancing economic impact was a key priority. Together with Pikolin, we identified Desmodur® CQ TDI mb as the optimal solution to meet their targets for the Bultex brand. This analysis was supported by our new innovative CQ-Configurator, a digital tool designed to help identify the most effective solutions for more sustainable mattress applications.
By incorporating our Desmodur® CQ TDI mb into their production, manufacturers like Pikolin are able to provide a sustainable alternative to conventional mattresses without compromising essential properties like comfort, durability, and quality. The solution allows foamers and mattress manufacturers to implement PU foam formulas gradually and scale up quickly while making significant strides toward their climate goals.
At the same time, Pikolin, its customers and consumers now profit from the highest standards in terms of sourcing transparency and traceability of the renewable material used according to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC).
Consumers are thinking about the environment when making major purchase decisions. Together with Covestro we are developing more sustainable solutions while ensuring high quality standards.
Key Benefits
- More sustainable: Renewable-attributed materials from certified sources help the industry to achieve its climate targets.
- Durable and Comfortable: High-quality products, excellent comfort properties, and long-lasting performance.
- Seamless Integration: Readily implementable; no need to alter formulations, equipment and processes.
- Scalable and adaptable: Gradual, flexible transition from virgin fossil resources to renewable ones.
- Value chain impact: Innovative, high-performing, and more sustainable products.
