Autex Acoustics continues to lead the way in sustainable design, consistently pushing boundaries with bold ideas and measurable impact. Their latest innovations — ReForm, SpinFix, and the pioneering RePET — demonstrate a steadfast dedication to environmental stewardship and circular thinking. In this insightful conversation, Jonathan Mountfort explores the potential of single-material systems, the beauty of pared-back design, and the transformative power of collaboration.

Tell us about your background, and what led you to your current role at Autex Acoustics.

“After a stint as a vegan chef on the ‘Lord of the Rings’, I set out to pursue design as a way to make a real impact. I enrolled in a product design development degree, focusing on the practical aspects of bringing ideas to life. I was lucky enough to get a job right after graduating and was immediately exposed to all the emerging concepts in sustainable design, like biomimicry and cradle-to-cradle design.”

“After over 20 years in design and manufacturing, I now oversee product design, compliance, and sustainability, and my background as an industrial designer with a focus on product development — coupled with my studies in mechanical engineering and acoustics — provides a unique perspective on creating sustainable acoustic solutions.”

Tell us about the importance of sound materials as a cornerstone of your design practice.

“Materiality is crucial for me. My approach is rooted in a deep respect for materials, which is fundamental to how we go about creating circular, sustainable designs. We aim for uncontaminated, homogenous designs with single materials, such as aluminium and polyester, or other pure combinations. The goal, really, is to keep the design as simple as possible, and prioritise disassembly, ensuring that materials can be separated, and products taken apart easily.”

And how does this commitment to sustainability influence your creative process?

“Sustainability is non-negotiable, which narrows the design criteria. It means I can’t simply glue materials together or combine mismatched polymers. I really try to consider the future: someone mining a landfill in 50 years shouldn’t be cursing at the difficulty of separating components. Socks are a perfect example of this problem, as they combine materials that are near impossible to separate for recycling. I follow really regimented criteria — much to my colleagues' dismay, I’m sure — and while it might seem limiting, I believe it actually focuses and simplifies the design process, leading to solutions that are inherently sustainable.”

Can you give an example of a recent innovation that embodies your sustainability principles?

“SpinFix, our adhesive-free mounting system for acoustic panels, is a great example. It’s a durable and easy-to-install product that allows the acoustic panels to be fixed onto a wall without the use of any adhesives. It’s made from recycled PET offcuts — RePET — and uses friction welding instead of glue, ensuring the entire panel is homogenous, simply using different forms of the same recycled polyester. And because it doesn’t use glue, when the panel needs to be removed, it can be easily taken down and reinstalled somewhere else, or fully recycled”

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of sustainable design at Autex?

“Creating fully circular product systems is a huge priority — we’re focusing on the development of completely novel recycling and game-changing material pathways for PET products on takeback. The goal is to create products that improve the environment the more they are used. Take polyester bottles — we transform them into textile fibres, which become panels. These panels can be chipped into shorter fibres, creating a backing for another new product we have just launched in New Zealand: ReForm.”