Built to Last: How PLC Studio Supports the Repair Economy

— 18 May 2026


Pearson Lloyd’s new design, the PLC Studio chair, is born of intelligent material choices, with a bias towards lower carbon materials, and a construction that makes it a great fit for the circular economy. Focusing on dematerialisation, repair and re-use, the design maximises the chair’s lifespan and minimises resource use. In an uncertain world, where supply chain disruption and resource scarcity are driving the shift towards a repair economy, design for disassembly is a key component in this transition. Launching this
Modus PLC Studio Lifestyle PLS003 Side

WHEN LESS IS MORE

Developed using Finite Element Analysis or FEA, a process that uses a theoretical model to identify points of weakness - which need strengthening - and points where excess material exists – where material can be reduced. The result is a chair that uses the optimum volume of materials and nothing more. This process enables PLC Studio to be dematerialised with no loss of strength or functionality.Keeping materials to a minimum is essential to keep embodied carbon as low as possible. Recycled materials and renewable, bio-based materials are also key to reducing carbon. PLC Studio contains 55% recycled and renewable content with a pressed ply seat and back. Furniture is fundamentally constructed using bio-based, or non-renewable, metals and fossil-based materials. Typically, similar chairs use plastic parts for upholstered components, PLC Studio keeps plastic parts to a minimum and focuses on using bio-based components, even for upholstered elements. To support projects that require transparency around carbon data, the PLC Studio chair, PLS002, has an LCA to the ISO14040 and 14044 standard, showing a global warming potential (embodied carbon) of just 44.8 kg CO2e.

Modus PLC Studio Lifestyle PLS003 PLS004

RESPONSIBLE MATERIAL CHOICES

Central to our sustainability strategy, all timber-based components come from sustainably managed forests and the PLC Studio chair carries FSCTM chain of custody certification supporting projects that are assessed under LEED, SKA rating and BREEAM.

The cast aluminium base contains 96% recycled material and the moulded polyurethane foam seat and back uses a proportion of recycled polymers, avoiding using land to produce bioplastics, instead, making best use of plastics already in circulation and diverting them from waste. Using recycled inputs helps reduce reliance on virgin materials and supports the foam industry in its transition to a circular economy.

049edb12 4985 4624 b527 e97d083f57a7

A CHAIR FOR REPAIR

The PLC Studio chair is the perfect product for a repair economy – a system that encourages responsible production, prioritises repair, and looks to support the longest product lifecycles. Following a design for disassembly approach, the chair is constructed without glue or permanent fixings and every part can be replaced, extending its lifespan and keeping it in use. Covers zip off and can be replaced multiple times at every interior refresh, changing the colour scheme without replacing the whole chair, and saving over 90% of the embodied carbon. Its construction makes it easy to repair, refurbish or remanufacture – it is by its very construction, designed for re-use. Every part separates into mono materials at end of life, allowing materials to be reclaimed. Design for disassembly encourages a ‘resource management’ approach and is a key criteria of the new SKA Rating for Offices v2.

Modus PLC Studio Lifestyle PLS003 PLS001 PLS006 1

KEEP IT HEALTHY

To ensure healthy material ingredients, moulded foam components do not contain halogenated flame retardants and powder coats contain no added PFAS. This meets the criteria of WELL X05, Enhanced Material Restrictions. To reduce VOC emissions, paint and lacquer finishes are water based, meeting the requirements of both LEED and WELL.

PLC Studio is made in our Somerset factory using 100% renewable energy with components from the UK and Europe.

 

Related pages

Your interest *

Please select all the ways you would like to hear from Modus:

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.