BAUX’s New Acoustic line and colors

Swedish sustainable acoustic solutions brand BAUX has launched Bio Colours, new shades across the Acoustic Pulp range. The pastel palette, inspired by the Nordic country’s architecture, is a continuation of the company’s commitment to providing sustainable products that perform and enhance corporate, education, and hospitality settings. ”For us, everything starts with natural materials, circularity, and a low carbon footprint,” said Fredrik Franzon, BAUX CEO and co-founder. 

The groundbreaking Acoustic Pulp panels were introduced in 2019 at the Stockholm Furniture Fair, a 100% bio-based product made solely from natural ingredients, including cellulose fibers and citric acid from potato starch. Durable yet lightweight, each panel is finished with a nano-perforated surface, which allows sound waves to enter and get trapped in the honeycomb chambers on the backside—while reducing the amount of material used in the manufacturing process. 

BAUX has launched Bio Colours, new pastel shades available on Acoustic Pulp panels. Photos courtesy of BAUX

Franzon explained that from concept to launch, the timeline was extended for the original  Acoustic Pulp as they worked through the difficulties of bringing the innovative panels to market. “We spent almost two years with a biotech company here in Sweden developing the product, based on their chemical research. It was a challenge to launch because the production is one of a kind.” 

When the line was finally introduced the positive response was immediate, and interest has only grown as specifiers continue to request eco-friendly acoustic products. “When we meet with architects and designers, sustainability is one of the first things that they mention. It’s not just talk anymore.” Franzon noted. “Companies are considering acoustics as part of well-being, to get employees back in the office.” 

The paint colors feature plant extracts, minerals, and earth pigments.

The textured surfaces, which call to mind the folds of origami, not only help to mitigate noise, but also have the variation that designers want to view in materials. Franzon said that there has been a shift away from pieces that look too neat to those with a more organic style. “In the past, people wanted something that was perfect all over,” he noted. “With Acoustic Pulp, the edges are not exact, and you really get irregularities in terms of the surface and the color. It’s a natural product and you can actually see that.” 

Indeed, the first version of Acoustic Pulp is colored with non-GMO wheat bran, to maintain the integrity of the product. Yet clients were hoping for a selection of more hues to complement a variety of interiors. “It was quite clear from the beginning that people wanted this in a number of colors, but we conducted several tests last year because we wanted to stay true to the sustainability, even with the paint,” Franzon added. 

Swedish architecture and design served as inspiration for the color palette.

The new resulting paint colors feature biodegradable raw materials such as plant extracts, chalk, minerals, and earth pigments. These VOC-free, plastic- and petrochemical-free paints have a matte finish and ensure a healthier indoor environment. The new shades, Bio Blue Chalk, Bio Green Soil, Bio Red Mud, Bio Yellow Terra, and Bio Rose Clay, echo the colors found in Swedish architecture and design throughout history, from lime and linseed oil-based paints to buildings with six or seven contrasting colors.  

The pale tints are aligned with current trends, but because they are lighter, they allow the panel to be visible. “The colors that we have now are a bit semi-transparent. That’s what we wanted, because with too much paint on the surface you can’t see the material that you are holding in your hand,” Franzon said. He added that the paint manufacturer was unable to formulate black or darker hues compatible with the material, and they may explore different options in the future. 

The colored panels complement existing materials within an interior.

For now, the company has scaled up production with a fully automated factory, and the team  is now considering more versions of Acoustic Pulp. “We have improved our manufacturing processes quite dramatically over the last year,” Fanzon explained. “We are able to do things at a much lower cost, and we would like to explore expanding the Acoustic Pulp assortment, because it is key.” 

Currently the panels are designed for wall use only, but Franzon noted that other applications are possible. “We already have a handful of ideas. The material is light, so we can see the panels formed into a screen that can be attached to desks or used to create ceiling baffles.” He added that all of the BAUX products will emphasize the organic story that is central to Sweden’s identity. “We live quite close to nature here, and we take pride in that. We want to communicate it in any way that we can.”

A close-up of the textured surface of an original Acoustic Pulp panel, colored with wheat bran.
The panels can be mixed to create endless color and texture combinations.