Download the Timeline 
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1978 
- • Knoll hires full–time environmental engineer and redesigns waste water treatment plant at East
Greenville facility, reducing harmful effluents.
- • Introduces powder coating technology with no heavy metal pigments on Bertoia Chair and
other seating.
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1979
- • Initiates Clean Technology approach. Partners with vendors to eliminate contaminants at the source.
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1982
- • Introduces water–saving counter–float system for power washes.
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1984
- • Sets goal to eliminate VOCs from all manufacturing operations.
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1985
- • Initiates use of water–based glues to replace VOC–emitting solvent–based glues in systems production.
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1986
- • Develops resins and processes for converting solvent–based paint spraying to powder coating for all metal products. Reduces material waste by up to 80% and eliminates 99% of metal–coating VOCs.
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1987
- • Replaces emission–producing adhesives with non–polluting hot melt glues in seating manufacturing.
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1988
- • Becomes first OEM in Pennsylvania to adopt HVLP (high volume/low pressure) equipment for spraying water–based paints, which is now an industry and EPA standard.
- • Hires consulting firm to begin testing office furniture emissions.
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1990
- • Submits major products for voluntary emissions testing by Air Quality Science.
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1992
- • Eliminates use of ODM’s (ozone depleting materials) from all manufacturing processes worldwide.
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1993
- • Joins Green Lights initiative, replaces large portion of existing lighting in facilities with energy–efficient solutions.
- • Bulldog chair developed and manufactured for clean technology from start to finish, including returnable and reusable packaging.
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1994
- • Invests $3.5 million in UV–cured curing systems used in Toronto and East Greenville facilities for clear–coating veneer panels.
- • Awarded Pennsylvania Governor’s Waste Minimization Award.
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1995
- • East Greenville facility 65.5% below Pennsylvania state standards for VOC emissions. Grand Rapids facility so far below EPA standards it doesn’t have to report.
- • Gehry Seating introduced: product offered with an option of maple grown by the Menominee Tribal Enterprise, a sustained yield wood source.
- • Reclaimed red birch obtained from logs sunk in 19th century Midwest logging operations added to wood veneer options, as available.
- • Westinghouse Corporate Award for Excellence in Health, Safety and Environmental Practices.
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1996
- • Virtually all scrap metals, cardboard and paper in all manufacturing facilities recycled.
- • Sponsors art contests in Pennsylvania and Michigan to raise environmental awareness among grade school children.
- • First major OEM to make panel fabrics from 100% producer–colored polyester fibers (completely recyclable, benign pigments, no effluents).
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1997
- • Adds Terratex™ fabrics to textile line, made of 100% recycled PEP from soda bottles.
- • Knoll featured in study and report on American Green Companies published by the Swedish Office of Science and Technology.
- • KnollStudio offers sustainable wood and veneers as option on selected products.
- • Use of returnable packaging expanded to all United States manufacturing facilities.
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1998
- • Knoll the first U.S. OEM to receive ISO14000 Standard for Environmental Management Systems certification.
- • Knoll the seventh company in the state and first major OEM to win designation as a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen.
- • All hardwoods used in Knoll products harvested from North American managed forests.
- • Established minimums for recycled content in manufacture. Steel: weighted average 25%; Particleboard: 30% (averages 50% today, 100% in Reff, Equity and Dividends).
- • Award of Merit, National Safety Council.
- • World Class Innovations in Ergonomic Safety Award, American Society of Safety Engineers.
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1999
- • After four years of development and an investment of $2 million, Knoll introduces powder–on–wood finishing technology, reducing material waste and further reducing VOC emissions.
- • EPA publishes case study on Knoll environmental initiatives.
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2001
- • Receives Environmental Excellence Award from North York Chamber of Commerce, Toronto, Canada.
- • Receives Excellence in Achievement Award from the National Safety Council.
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2002
- • Knoll becomes a founding sponsor of Green Design Education Initiative. GDEI provides information and education on green/sustainable design to the profession.
- • Receives IIDEX/Neocon Canada Sustainable Design Gold Award for Life chair.
- • Knoll REFF included in Hewlett Foundation project-only the fifth in the nation to receive a USGBC Gold level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Enviornmental Design) 2.0 certification.
- • ISO 14001 certification awarded for all Knoll manufacturing facilities worldwide
- • LEED® Gold certification in Existing Building Pilot Program awarded to Knoll Lubin manufacturing facility in East Greenville, PA
- • GREENGUARD™ certification achieved for all Knoll North America systems, seating, KnollStudio seating and KnollTextiles
- • Knoll Environment launched as link on the website for info on Knoll environmental action
- • Knoll U.S. manufacturing facilities more than 90% HAP and VOC free.
- • Knoll FSC-certified Reff furniture chosen by NRDC for its LEED® Platinum Santa Monica Regional Office
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2003
- • Receives Chain of Custody certification for FSC–certified wood products.
- • All KnollTextiles GREENGUARD™ certified.
- • All Knoll systems, office seating and Knoll Studio seating GREENGUARD™ certified.
- • Knoll’s San Francisco showroom currently under renovation as pilot project for LEED Commercial Interiors certification.
- • Knoll Lubin facility in East Greenville accepted into pilot program for LEED Existing Building certification.
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2005
- • ISO 14001 audit approval for all Knoll manufacturing facilities worldwide under revised 2004 standard.
- • LEED® Slver certification awarded to the Knoll San Francisco showroom in the Commercial Interiors Pilot Program.
- • Core office in LEED® Gold Lubin manufacturing facility upgraded, following LEED® criteria for Commercial Interiors.
- • Knoll East Greenville facility designated an OSHA VPP Star site in recognition of exceptional health and safety programs for employees.
- • Knoll participates in development of the MTS Sustainable Textile Standard, which sets the international benchmark for sustainable textiles.
- • More than 90% of wood used to make composite board products contained an average of 93% post-industrial material.
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2006
- • Environmental data bases for Knoll systems and seating completed; help clients plan sustainable projects and achieve LEED® credits.
- • Knoll participates in Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, joins Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX®) and successfully meets Phase I (2003-2006) requirements.
- • Knoll establishes an Energy Management Program.
- • Knoll partners with non-profit International Design Center for the Environment (IDCE) to begin development of an affordable, universal computer-based Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) tool to support sustainability in product design and manufacture.
- • Knoll partners with Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS) and BIFMA to establish sustainability standards for the Contract Furniture Industry.
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2007
- • In its commitment to the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), Knoll exceeds required reductions in CO2 emissions.
- • Knoll initiates projects designed to achieve energy efficiencies in lighting, power wash processes and HVAC in all facilities, projecting CO2 reductions of 500 - 600 tons by the end of the year.
- • Knoll converts 45% of lighting in its manufacturing space to high efficiency fluorescent lighting.
- • Knoll achieves GREENGUARD® indoor air quality certification for KnollStudio Conference Tables. All KnollStudio products are now GREENGUARD-certified.
- • Knoll creates a new Energy Manager position to develop a systematic plan for implementing ongoing energy reductions throughout all company facilities and operations.
- • LEED® Silver certification (Commercial Interiors) for Knoll Philadelphia showroom and offices.
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