Vorwerk Group DE | Circular Economy

Circular Economy

Vorwerk Gruppe Circularity TM7

Use longer. Think further.

Our approach to the circular economy begins with product design and extends into the everyday lives of our customers. We develop our appliances with the aim of ensuring they can be used for at least ten years. From the very beginning, we take maintenance and repair into account, and we continue to support our customers after purchase with repair services and spare parts, which we keep available for at least ten years after the sale of the respective model.

In addition, we use recycled and bio-based materials in selected components and packaging, and we refurbish used appliances for resale. Digital offerings such as Cookidoo® complement this approach, for example with recipe ideas for using leftovers and adjustable portion sizes to help prevent food waste.

Circular Economy in practice

From product design and material selection to repair and refurbishment, and digital offerings for everyday life: discover concrete examples of how we put the circular economy into practice at Vorwerk.

10  years
expected lifetime and sparepart availability

Our iconic Thermomix® and Kobold products are designed for an expected lifetime of at least 10 years. Spare parts remain available for at least 10 years after the end of production, helping to extend product lifetimes and keep products in use longer.

30  %
recycled materials in Thermomix® TM7

The Thermomix® TM7 contains approximately 30 % recycled materials by weight, and across all product lines, we achieved 16,04 % reused and recycled materials

Thermomix® TM6
Refurbished products

Refurbished Thermomix® TM6 products are available for purchase at TM6 ReNewed, extending product life and offering a more resource-efficient alternative to buying new.

More: Thermomix® ReNewed

Repair
Vorwerks comprehensive repair service network

Our network supports product longevity of our Culinary & Cleaning business, with two key Vorwerk operated repair centers in Germany and France, more than 15 affiliated repair centers worldwide, and several authorized service points in Italy and Poland.

Cookidoo®
Assistant

Selected AI- & digital innovation helps users make the most of ingredients at hand, reducing cooking effort, supporting a more mindful use of food, and helping to reduce household food waste.

Vorwerk Gruppe Sustainability Material 2

Reducing resource consumption

The materials used in our products are considered from the very start of the development process. In selected Thermomix® and Kobold components, we use recycled plastics and bio-based materials. We also give production residues a second life by reusing them in other components.

What the Thermomix® TM7 is made of

Around 30% of the appliance’s weight comes from recycled materials used in its metal and plastic components. The lower housing shell is made from ABS plastic with 70% recycled content, sourced from post-consumer plastic waste. For the lid, we use PA11, a castor-oil-based plastic.

How we reuse materials in Kobold products

Selected Kobold components make use of recycled materials and production residues. The handle and structural elements of the VK7 are made from polypropylene containing 30% recycled carbon fibres. The internal support of the RB7 robot vacuum base is produced from ABS plastic with 95% recycled content derived from production waste.

For the motor plate of the Kobold SP7, we use leftover material from the production of the Thermomix® TM6 bowl handle. The replacement filter bags for the VK7 contain at least 80% recycled material from production waste.

Packaging materials matter too

We also use recycled materials in the packaging of the Thermomix® TM7: the cardboard contains at least 80% recycled material, while the fibre-based cushioning is made entirely from recycled material. The packaging film contains at least 30% recycled material.

The packaging of the Kobold VK7 contains at least 60% recycled material overall. The recycled content is 80% for cardboard and cushioning materials, and at least 30% for plastic bags and packaging films. Cardboard, cushioning materials, and packaging films are each 99% recyclable.

Extend product lifetime

Our Thermomix® and Kobold products are designed for long-term use, with a minimum service life of ten years. Through spare parts and repair services, we help our customers keep their appliances in use for as long as possible. This preserves value for our customers while reducing the need for new resources.

Giving products a second life

Extending the lifetime of our products is one of the most effective ways to reduce resource use and waste. Thermomix® TM6 ReNewed, introduced by Vorwerk Germany, puts this principle into practice at scale. Selected TM6 devices – including customer returns and former demonstration units – are professionally refurbished and offered for sale again. Each device is fully functional, thoroughly tested, and comes with a two-year warranty, giving it a genuine second life rather than allowing it to end up as waste. 

Every refurbished device reduces the need for new production and keeps valuable materials in use for longer. Similar second-life approaches are already being piloted for Folletto in Italy and for Thermomix® in France, reflecting the growing momentum for circular thinking across our markets. The offering is being successively expanded to further countries as we continue to scale this circular business model. 

Thermomix® TM6 ReNewed is a direct contribution to the Circularity pillar of our sustainability program: designing products to last, keeping them in use longer, and creating value beyond the first sale.

Thermomix®/Bimby® TM7 Production
VK7 Kobold Produktion Elektrowerke Wuppertal

Using resources mindfully in everyday life

Making use of available food, planning portions according to actual needs, and using water and cleaning agents efficiently: Thermomix® and Kobold provide practical support for a more mindful use of household resources.

Creating new dishes from ingredients already available

Cookidoo® offers recipe ideas for turning ingredients and leftovers already at home into new meals. The AI-powered Cookidoo® Assistant helps users find suitable recipes based on the food they already have on hand. For recipes with adjustable portions, ingredient quantities can be adapted to the desired number of servings. This allows available supplies and actual needs to be considered already at the meal-planning stage.

Using water efficiently and reusing cleaning cloths

When mopping with the Kobold VK7 system, around 300 ml of water and 3 ml of Koboclean are enough for approximately 60 m² of floor space.*
The recommended dosage supports the efficient use of water and cleaning agents.

The SP7 cleaning cloths are designed for repeated use: they can be washed and reused and are intended for at least 100 wash cycles and 50 operating hours on smooth floors.

* For wooden floors, a Koboclean dosage of 2% rather than 1% applies.