There are many materials to choose from when it comes to countertops. There are natural stone countertop materials like granite and marble that are elegant but expensive. Wood is another material for use in countertops that gives a certain warmth to a home but requires proper care and maintenance. Manufactured solid surfaces, like corian countertops, are another way to go in your quest to find a perfect fit for your kitchen cabinet. Now there is another option but to look at the Alkemi countertop.
Alkemi countertops are made from recycled composite material made up of at least 60% post-industrial aluminum scrap and polymeric resins. Recycled aluminum scrap and resin are bonded together to form a solid surface material that is strong, durable, and exquisite in appearance.
As mentioned above, the Alkemi countertop is mainly made of two materials. The first is aluminum scrap. The collected aluminum scrap is post-industrial and not post-consumer because the processing of post-industrial aluminum scrap consumes less time and energy. The collection of post-industrial aluminum in the manufacture of the Alkemi countertop diverts scrap aluminum from entering the waste stream where aluminum typically burns while emitting pollutants.
The other material that makes up an Alkemi countertop is polymeric resin. This resin is made from polyester and is usually obtained from resin manufacturers. Polymer resin is used to bond aluminum scrap together to form a solid countertop surface. Polymeric resin is widely used in the eyewear industry and there is hope that in the future the polymeric resin used in Alkemi countertops may also come from recycled sources.
Since resin is toxic, especially when it is in a liquid state, Alkemi makes sure that the resin dust produced by sanding countertops is recovered and recirculated into the formula to form one of the opaque resins in the line of Alchemy countertops.
As proof of its commitment to recycling and protecting the environment, Alkemi is committed to taking back its unused products, such as unused parts from a countertop installation, to use as countertop material samples that are sent to designers. From the packaging they ship their samples in, to the paper the brochure is printed on, their passion for the environment is evident.
