The Alluminio by Valcucine features Riciclantica doors that are ultra-thin and modern, a mere 2 mm, strong, yet using 86% less material than standard cabinet doors. The doors are totally flush – no handles or screw holes – with a self-closing mechanism. The entire kitchen can be pulled apart and recycled after use.

Thanks to the new Invitrum base units’ system, Valcucine has made the first kitchen in the world completely out of aluminium and glass that respects the main rules of eco-sustainable design: dematerialisation, recyclability, reduction of toxic emissions and durability. The Invitrum base units’ system has also been designed following the principle of using less raw materials and energy. The single 10mm thick glass side panel eliminates the use of two, normal, 36mm thick chipboard sides and achieves a saving of 73% on raw materials.

Artematica is the first door in the world made of a resistant and lightweight structural aluminium frame and an aesthetic finishing panel that is only 5mm thick. The evolution of Artematica resulted in the birth of Ricicla that subsequently evolved into the current Riciclantica. Thanks to the use of new materials such as carbon, aluminium and a special type of glass, it has been possible to further dematerialise the door panel without jeopardising its physical resistance and achieving a thickness of only 2mm. The top and the doors consist in an aluminium structural frame and a tempered glass surface. Sophisticated studies and high technical expertise have made it possible to obtain a slim glass panel that is extremely resistant to impact and to extend our guarantee to 15 years.

Valcucine uses sturdy, fine textured, carbon-finish runners that integrate perfectly with the aluminium profiles and the tempered glass bottom panel. The use of glass and secondary aluminium guarantees the total recyclability of this kitchen. Using secondary aluminium also means consuming only one-twentieth of the energy needed to obtain primary aluminium.

For as much as regards disposal, Valcucine knows that the environmental impact of a product is a potential raw materials’ resource if it has been designed to simplify disassembly. The Invitrum glass base unit has been designed to be easily disassembled once it has finished its life cycle: the system consists in single materials that are joined together by purely mechanical joints. Using only aluminium and glass, which are inert materials, together with the special design that employs purely mechanical joints instead of adhesives, guarantees the total elimination of toxic emissions. The doors, the carcasses and the worktop can remain soaking in water for a long period of time because there are no edges to come unstuck, nor are there external finishes that have been subsequently applied.