Maximum Paris is the tangible example that the circular economy model is not only feasible, but also the best solution for the much needed sustainable industrial and social development. Maximum’s proposal under this firm commitment and this responsibility towards the product and the final customer clearly shows the category and quality of this company.
Today we spoke with them to learn more about their product, their company and the development model they have embraced.
What can we find behind the “Maximum Paris” brand? What is the type of product that feeds the Maximum catalog?
Maximum is simply a manufacturer of furniture from industrial waste. We use design as a tool to revalue materials that were destined for the trash.
Where does the raw material Maximum uses to manufacture its furniture come from? How is the selection process of these materials carried out?
We obtain all our materials from waste from industrial production and construction. The idea is to find waste in series to be able to design furniture that we can also mass-produce.
For the selection, we find many industrialists who offer us waste created along their production chain.
Do these by-products pass some kind of quality control in order to be selected? What does it mean that all the selected materials “are standardized products”?
The residues are actually semi-products or waste. They have been processed according to all industry standards. The industrialist does not sell them because the rigor disqualifies each defect (mixing of colors in the plastic, fallen tubes during production, etc…). We only recover the materials that we can recycle. Therefore, a sorting is performed.
These wastes are “standardized” in the sense that they are opposed to dumping: we do not recover a sum of random or different wastes to imagine a unique product, the wastes we work with are standardized because they are created during industrial processes in series.
How is the consumer’s acceptance of Maximum’s furniture, who is your typical customer, are we talking about affordable furniture or are we dealing with an exclusive, high-priced product?
We work to make our furniture as affordable as possible. Thanks to the series, we can have reasonable prices, although it is impossible to compete with Ikea at the moment. But it is normal, first of all, because of the size of the project, but also because we make the furniture by hand, with one person at each stage. All this is done in the suburbs of Paris, which is more expensive than in China… So for the moment we have a fairly wealthy clientele, but our prices are low compared to the commitments we have made. In fact, we believe that if we remain affordable, we will be able to sell more and therefore recycle more.
Taking into account the type of raw materials Maximum uses for its production process, is there any kind of pre-treatment or transformation of the by-products used or is it manufactured directly with them? Are Maximum’s products made of 100% recycled material or are there parts of new material?
The products are reprocessed in our facilities. We do not use any “treatment” because they are not toxic waste. However, they undergo some processing, as little as possible. The plastic is melted in a mold to make the chairs. Scaffolding is cut, sanded and painted. Other materials remain intact, especially the glass partitions that serve as the tabletop for the Clavex table.
By manufacturing with these materials (reusing and recycling industrial by-products), does Maximum’s furniture possess the maximum guarantees in terms of resistance, durability, healthiness, etc.?
Our products are guaranteed for 10 years. We have very few returns from our customers. This is because we design our furniture taking into account the properties of each material. Durability is an important argument for our designers. Finally, our furniture is made of materials that are used every day when they are new, so they are non-toxic.
As a company involved in the production model based on the circular economy, what value do you attach to this production strategy in the search for a sustainable socio-economic system? Does France have a real circular economy strategy institutionalized as a principle both within the industry and at the societal level?
France is looking to create new synergies in the industry and relies on projects like ours to transform its economy. This is why our project has received the support of various institutions (ADEME, the region, the city of Ivry, etc.). In social terms, we are proud to train a certain number of people, some of whom are in social integration, but we still have a long way to go. As for France’s strategy, it has been boosted by the proximity of the Olympic Games, but there is still a lot to do and the vision is not always coordinated.
Does Maximum carry out, in addition to the adoption of circular economy as a manufacturing principle, other environmental or social measures derived from its business activity?
For the time being, Maximum is still looking for ways to maintain its activity. Our goodwill allows us to grow, but we believe that we must first make some investments, continue to improve our business and employ people before we can concretely invest in other projects and socio-environmental commitments.
Undoubtedly, this is a company and a product that unequivocally exemplifies the concept of sustainable development. Its furniture is a clear example of social commitment and quality that cannot and should not go unnoticed. If you care about where you live and how you make it Maximum Paris also inspires your consumption so that you can continue to enjoy a life and a planet with a future.
Visit MaximumParis and choose from its wide catalog!!!.
