Kettal: Weaving a Sustainable Tapestry of Outdoor Living

For nearly six decades, the Spanish brand Kettal has been synonymous with a sophisticated and sustainable vision of outdoor living. Founded in 1966 as a family-run business in Barcelona, Kettal has evolved from manufacturing aluminum camping gear into an international powerhouse for high-design outdoor furniture . Under the second-generation leadership of the founder's son, Alex Alorda, the brand retains its startup spirit of relentless innovation and experimentation, even as it approaches its 60th anniversary . Its core mission is to create furniture that is both timeless and contemporary, a harmonious blend of creativity, personality, and modern production methods .

A Holistic Commitment to Sustainability

Kettal's dedication to environmental responsibility is deeply woven into its operations, focusing on material innovation, local production, and long-term goals.

• Eco-Friendly Manufacturing and Materials: The brand prioritizes the use of recycled and recyclable materials, with its aluminum being 85% recycled and 100% recyclable . Through ongoing research, Kettal avoids harmful materials and processes, utilizing eco-certified supplies like CFC-free polyurethane, fluorocarbon-free fabrics, and FSC-certified wood .

• Local Craftsmanship and Durability: To ensure quality and reduce its carbon footprint, Kettal crafts its products locally in Spain, with 85% of the process being handmade . The company sources materials within a 100 km radius and even keeps 30-year-old technical drawings to guarantee the longevity and repairability of its pieces . This commitment to durability is a testament to its belief that good design should last for generations .

• Ambitious Environmental Goals: Looking to the future, Kettal has set a clear objective of achieving zero emissions by 2036 . This goal is supported by analyzing the carbon footprint of its products and continuing to innovate in sustainable design.

International Design Masters

A key to Kettal's enduring appeal is its collaborative spirit. The brand has built partnerships with some of the most acclaimed designers in the world, including Patricia Urquiola, Jasper Morrison, the Bouroullec brothers, and Konstantin Grcic, among others . This collaborative model is not about collecting famous names, but about working with people who share a passion and a vision, helping to transform their designs into reality .

The influence of designer Patricia Urquiola, in particular, has been pivotal. She is credited with helping transform the company "from one that made garden furniture to one that makes design furniture for the outdoors" . Collections like her Plumon line, which features light teak structures with ribbed paddings, showcase this innovative, tailor-made approach . Other notable collaborations include Vincent Van Duysen's Giro collection, which experiments with recycled polypropylene rope, and Rodolfo Dordoni's Grand Bitta, a collection inspired by the braiding of boat mooring ropes .

Expanding the Concept of Space

While renowned for defining outdoor luxury, Kettal's innovative spirit has led it to expand into new territories. The brand now offers comprehensive solutions for both hospitality projects and modern workplaces .

Responding to changes in how we live and work, Kettal has introduced a range of workplace solutions like the Kall Phone Booth and modular sofa systems such as Insula by Patricia Urquiola, designed to create flexible and community-focused office environments . Furthermore, Kettal has extended its architectural capabilities with modular leisure Pavilions, including a collaboration with Dion Neutra, the son of modernist architect Richard Neutra . These structures create seamless indoor-outdoor experiences for high-end hotels and private residences.

Kettal's story is one of harmonious balance—between artisanal heritage and industrial innovation, between timeless aesthetics and contemporary needs, and between the joy of outdoor living and a profound responsibility to the planet. It is a brand that doesn't just furnish spaces but thoughtfully curates experiences, inviting us to live beautifully with nature.