Lithuanian furniture and interior design brand EMKO has introduced a series of products developed from manufacturing waste, reinforcing its alignment with circular economy frameworks. The company's approach repositions leftover materials as a resource stream, resulting in modular seating systems, textile objects, and small-scale wooden artefacts that address material overuse within the sector.
Erika Markovska-Mikulskienė with the Not-A-Sofa system.
'At the moment, we are concentrating further on the circular economy and responsible production, alongside bringing added value and (re-)fresh design,' said Erika Markovska-Mikulskienė, founder and CEO of EMKO. 'The EMKO customer is smart, educated, and doesn't want cheap, polluting products, instead, we always head on into honesty and responsibility.'
The Not-A-Sofa system exemplifies this transition. Composed of foam waste typically discarded in traditional upholstery workflows, the design offers a modular structure ranging from two-seaters to extended lounge configurations. Lightweight and component-based, the product is designed for adaptability and assembly flexibility across both residential and contract markets.
Another recent output, KLOD, is a patchwork blanket developed in collaboration with designer Annette Abdrashitova. The project sources its raw materials exclusively from leftover upholstery fabrics, consolidating them into unique textile surfaces. Each blanket is equipped with detachable belts for transport or outdoor use, aligning with dual-purpose and mobile living trends.
Piccolini figurines.
In parallel, EMKO has also launched I Piccolini, a series of small geometric figurines designed in collaboration with Viviana Degrandi Studio. Carved from reclaimed hardwood offcuts, the collection introduces a symbolic narrative around biodiversity and resource conservation, presenting waste in a refined sculptural format.
All three product families were developed with the aim of addressing the broader lifecycle of materials used in the interior design industry. 'We design with purpose,' said Markovska-Mikulskienė. 'The future of interiors lies in solutions, not excess.'
EMKO's continued emphasis on circularity reflects ongoing industry pressure to reduce environmental impact through smarter production and reuse of materials. While the company has not announced formal sustainability targets, its current portfolio development suggests a deliberate integration of waste-based inputs into its design and manufacturing processes.
As the European design sector prepares for more stringent regulations around material traceability and lifecycle impact, brands such as EMKO are positioning their operations around transparency, adaptability, and post-industrial resource use.
KLOD blanket.
More information:
EMKO
T. Sevcenkos Street 16A – 122
LT-03111 Vilnius
+370 614 18759
[email protected]
www.emko-place.com
Lithuania