OXFORDSHIRE, UK. June 17th, 2026 – Rhubarb Seating, the British commercial seating manufacturer based in Oxfordshire, has been named a Circularity Champion Manufacturer in Design Conformity’s 2026 industry report.
This is one of the most comprehensive independent assessments of sustainability in the UK and European furniture sector, spanning more than 170k furniture businesses. Rhubarb Seating were one of only four Circularity Champion Manufacturer Leaders in the UK recognised for their carbon efficiency and circular design leadership. Out of the 39 UK Manufacturers assessed and over 170k companies across Europe, just 0.1% merited the Leader classification.
Designing with Sustainablity at the Forefront
Design Conformity’s 2026 industry report is one of the most comprehensive independent assessments of sustainability in the UK and European furniture sector. The accolade follows the independent verification of Rhubarb’s Cantay and Banquette ranges through Design Conformity’s Carbon Efficiency platform, which assesses products across their full lifecycle, including first and second life potential. Both products received C3 Carbon Efficiency Ratings, meaning their performance in planned reuse scenarios makes them among the most efficient soft seating solutions available to commercial specifiers. The Cantay upgrades to C2 for the second life for which it is designed.
The Cantay 2-Seater Sofa recorded a verified carbon footprint of 60.99 kg CO₂e, with a Carbon Efficiency Rating that compares favourably against significantly larger competitors operating at far greater scale. The Banq Medium Back Straight unit achieved 69.48 kg CO₂e with C3 ratings across both life stages.
David Matthews, Director at Rhubarb Seating, said: “Rhubarb has always got one eye on refurbishment and future-proofing when developing a product, focusing on making it easy to reupholster, repair and re-use. Being recognised above most of the sector’s biggest names validates what we’ve always believed: good design and sustainable design are the same thing.”
Focus on the Details
An example of the extent that Rhubarb go to, is illustrated by the precise nature every piece of board is utilised. Their skill in nesting both timber and fabric patterns make sure that every square millimetre possible is used to minimise waste from all their raw materials, where components even outside the scope of the actual project are considered and included. Knowing that there are certain pieces used on a frequent, on-going basis, these are integrated to fill spaces that would potentially go to waste. The objective is always to completely maximise the cutting layout.
David Matthews added: “There is definitely something inherently beautiful about a board of timber, utilised to its maximum, to create the component elements of a piece of furniture. Sometimes it even elevates the results to an artform and a thing of beauty.”
Independently Verified, Certified Rhubarb Products
The Design Conformity Circularity Champions report, supported by academic input from Nottingham Trent University and contributions from more than 50 industry organisations, identifies manufacturers that are proactively implementing circular design, take-back schemes and lifecycle thinking. Participants are profiled across four categories: Responders, Explorers, Strategists and Leaders. Rhubarb achieved recognition in the top accolade of Leaders and as one of only four companies to achieve this.
Certified Rhubarb products are now displayed via Rhubarb’s listing on the Design Conformity product directory at www.dccircularity.com, providing specifiers with independently verified carbon and circularity data to support procurement decisions aligned with BREEAM, SKArating, and emerging UK and EU sustainability regulations.
Rhubarb’s recognition comes as specifiers face increasing pressure to demonstrate embodied carbon reductions in commercial fit-outs, with FF&E now recognised as accounting for up to 30% of a Cat B fit-out’s carbon impact.
For more information, visit www.rhubarbseating.co.uk or www.dccircularity.com
ENDS