Italian brand Ceadesign launched products made of ecological and 100 per cent recyclable stainless steel, which is more sustainable than chromed brass—the finish that is most commonly used in bathroom fixtures—and that has hygienic antibacterial properties. Stainless steel is used in Ceadesign’s Abaco, a modular linear toilet and sink system that hides sanitary functions within a single volume, and Lutezia, the brand’s line of soft, organically shaped faucets. 

Hansgrohe launched an eco-friendly Planet Edition of its popular hand-held Pulsify shower head. Made mainly from recycled plastic and using up to 60 per cent less than traditional Hansgrohe hand-held showers, the Pulsify Planet Edition is not only sustainable, but it also reduces resources used for transport within the manufacturing process.

“We want to achieve nothing but a good feeling with the Hansgrohe shower experience. That’s why we looked at all aspects of the product life cycle and managed to switch to a recyclate wherever water doesn't flow through in the Pulsify Planet Edition,” says Bens Ezhuthanavayalil, head of product management Showerplace for Hansgrohe. “We focus on cycles within our production in order to be able to recycle the products and materials used for as long as possible,” he adds.

Answering to the needs of smaller spaces in apartments, bathroom brands have created leaner designs both appealing on the eye and with functional features to boot. Impressive products seen at ISH this year include Geberit’s CleanLine50, a shower channel with a slim, elegant design, comes with an integrated slope that speeds up shower water drainage.

Villeroy & Boch, which celebrates its 275th anniversary this year, made a splash with key products in new finishes, which include a sleek matte black colourway. Among its new collections of note is the updated Oberon 2.1, designed to be installed to a wall to maximise the use of space in compact bathrooms.

Another highlight is Mariner Rubinetterie’s water-saving Kobra mixer, which is slender and simple while featuring a distinct geometric form and a triangular lever. Designed by Philippe Starck, Duravit’s Bento Starck Box series are washbasins and bathtubs arranged like a Japanese Bento lunchbox with subdivided wet and dry areas. 

Villeroy & Boch’s Antao bathtub is another beautiful find, as seen at the ISH Frankfurt fair. Designed by Studio Kaschkasch, the bathroom collection takes inspiration from the form of dewdrops, and features the brand’s signature TitanCeram ceramic that’s paired with natural materials such as stone, solid wood and other nature-inspired finishes. 

Another minimalist highlight is the Kaldewei Meisterstück Oyo Duo bathtub by Stefan Diez. Crafted using 100 per cent recyclable Kaldewei steel enamel, the elegant double-walled bathtub takes into consideration both luxury and sustainability by using the eco-conscious material, while its form takes inspiration from Japanese porcelain. “The Meisterstuck Oyo Duo bathtub is modern and timeless at the same time. It is not part of a fashion, rather it is the result of a process. It looks as if a liquid, flowing form has been frozen the moment it touches the ground,” explains Stefan Diez.

Japanese bathroom brand Toto’s Washlet is an intelligently designed bidet that can reduce the use of toilet paper. The Washlets are equipped with technology that prevents stains and waste accumulation, which in turn reduces the need for manual cleaning of the bidet with detergents. The Washlet also reuses the original water in a spray function for cleaning the ceramic bowl.

Grohe introduced Everstream, a shower technology that uses as little as a quarter or the water and a third of the energy that’s typically used in a traditional shower. After a shower, users of Everstream can switch mode so the shower water is collected in the drain, then pumped into a circuit and used to maintain the desired temperature. After use, the water is cleaned to prepare the shower for the next user. 

“It is our mission to provide state-of-the-art technologies for using water resources sustainably while also creating additional environmental value for water,” says David Mainka, who heads the electronics, innovation, and research and design fittings department at Grohe’s parent company Lixil International. “As we strive towards a circular economy, circularity can also play a much bigger role within our products themselves. Grohe’s Everstream takes our technology to the next level. We are looking forward to the results of our field-testing of the product, to fine-tune it for market launch in 2024,” he says.

Smart design and digital solutions were also part of the fair. The highlight of Italian mixer and tap manufacturers Mariner Rubinetterie’s showcase was their new thermostatic Eden, which was designed specifically for the wellness industry—potentially some of the most indulgent and luxurious spas and hotels around the world.

The Eden allows for traditional temperature adjustment, but with a flow that can be controlled directly from the switches that open the water flow according to the required intensity. Available in a round or square plate, and adjustable by a single elegant lever, the Eden is constructed with a watertight recessed box equipped with gaskets that also help to isolate the device acoustically.

Geberit introduced Connect, a smart home concept that digitally networks different sanitary products to enable economic management of bathroom sanitary installations. Grohe presented AquaSymphony, a smart rain shower system that lets users combine varied lighting options with their favourite music for a spa-like shower experience. 

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