In Tokyo, cardboard beds were the stars of the athletes’ village, and here they are again at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, in a “more durable” and “easier to assemble” version. This is a feat we owe to Smurfit Kappa, who were chosen by Japanese bedding supplier Airweave to produce their famous bed bases.
“When Paris 2024 chose us, they asked us to find sustainable solutions and ensure that part of the production takes place in France,” says Motokuni Takaoka, CEO of Airweave.
High-end mattresses made from resin fibers, used in particular for some fishing nets, were difficult to transfer, so Motokuni Takaoka went looking for French companies capable of producing springs for cardboard boxes. The choice fell on Smurfit Kappa, who, through their design office, even proposed a new design for the bed base, including a place for a mobile phone.
“Sleep is one of the components of performance”
Parts are produced in the group’s four factories, and the preparation of kits for 14,250 bed bases, each weighing 25 kg, is carried out at the Breuil-en-Val plant in Loire. Watch in hand, it takes about twelve minutes to assemble everything – no nails, screws or glue – in the exact order. Everything fits together. Each kit comes with 36 elements unfolded, which will then fold up when assembled. Among these items will be corrugated cardboard plates converted in the Loire using French-made paper. In particular, a headboard with the inscription “Dream of the exploits of tomorrow”, a wedge for a smartphone or 12 patented slats that make the bed rigid.
After the Olympic Games, the bed bases will be 100% recycled in France. “This is quite a unique story and one that gives our employees a lot of pride,” said Andrew Coffey, CEO of Smurfit Kappa France. We make a bed base that will be used by thousands of athletes, but Airweave also offers a very refined mattress, resulting in an exceptional product. » During the Olympics, Airweave will help athletes use software to select the firmness level (soft, moderate, firm or extra firm) of a mattress according to their body type.
Each mattress consists of three blocks, each with its own level of density, easily adjustable thanks to the zipper. Motokuni Takaoka, CEO of Airweave, is convinced: “Sleep is one of the components of productivity. »
Therefore, the Japanese want “athletes to take full advantage of the most important night of their lives.” The one that precedes the race for a medal.
Source: Le Parisien
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a keen interest in sports and have written for many different publications. I am currently working as an author at 24 News Recorder. I cover mostly sports news but also write about other topics such as current affairs and politics. I have a strong interest in social media and how it can be used to engage with audiences.
