Space for Optimization

7 Facts about
the Kobold VK7

Bikinis, plastic bottles and a glass of water – find out what these things have to do with our latest vacuum cleaner model on our vacuum tour. Spot on to our Kobold VK7 and its highly sustainable performance.

What do you think of when you see a gramophone? Of wild swing parties back in the 1920s? Of the next Grammy Awards ceremony? Whatever association may come to you: a vacuum cleaner will probably not play a role. Yet in 1930, the world’s first Kobold was powered by a gramophone motor. The latest of its kind, the Kobold VK7, on the other hand, runs on a lithium-ion battery. This is powerful and durable and can even be replaced. So you don’t have to dispose of the entire vacuum cleaner, as is common with most battery-powered devices. This is not only easy on the wallet, but also on the environment.

The Kobold VK7 weighs 2.3 kilograms less than its predecessor. This is due, among other factors, to recycled carbon fibers in the upper and lower shells of the handle, in the associated rotating element, and in the base plate of the electric brush. This high-performance premium material originates from the automotive industry and has a CO2 footprint that is up to 80 percent lower than that of primary polymers. It can also be processed in a more energy-efficient manner because it has a lower melting point. Another step toward sustainable materials.

A bikini and a vacuum cleaner bag – would you ever have associated these two product worlds with each other? Probably not, yet some are literally made of the same material. Leftovers from bikini production are used for the premium filter bag FP7. These are produced when the individual parts of the swimwear are punched out. The leftover textiles don’t end up in the garbage can, but are used to produce the bags. Overall, 80 percent of the total weight of the FP7 consists of recycled materials. For example, the retaining plate is made from granules obtained from recycled plastics.

The packaging and padding are also made from 89 percent recycled and, of course, only FCS-certified Martial. The sustainability concept is also evident in the printing inks used for the packaging, as all inks on cardboard boxes and labels are water-based. This means they contain no mineral oils and are therefore much more environmentally friendly. Speaking of water, did you know that with just one click you can convert the Kobold VK7 into a suction wiper and then clean 60 square meters of surface with a single glass of water in a very resource-saving way? OK, the question is purely rhetorical.

We expect to sell around 15 million FP7 bags in 2023. By the way, the sale of filter bags is a good indication of how serious we are about the longevity of our products in general. For instance, in 2022, we still sold 63,329 filter bags for the Kobold 130/131 models, even though their production was discontinued in 2003. And we still sold 27,198 of the FP 252 filter bags in 2022 – these bags are also used to run the Vorwerk Tiger 250, which has been out of production since the end of the 1980s. This shows that our products continue to serve their owners well even after decades and become friends for life.

Not only with the Kobold VK7, but with all our electrical appliances, we place great importance on reparability. For this reason, we usually keep most spare parts in stock for ten years after a model has ceased production, even if new product generations have been on the market for a long time. This also applies to access to digital functions, security updates and product software. Why? For example, because this longevity means fewer resources are needed to manufacture new products.

Do you suffer from allergies? Hopefully not! If you do, then you would be well served by the FP7. That’s because 99.5 percent of all particles larger than or equal to 300 nanometers are separated by the bag’s filter material and do not enter the vacuum’s discharge air. This high separation performance applies not only to fine dust, but also to allergens and fungi, as well as bacteria and viruses larger than 300 nanometers. The overall system of the Kobold VK7 even filters out 99.99 percent of these particles. TÜV Nord has therefore already certified the Kobold VK7 with the test mark “Suitable for allergy sufferers.” Applications for further premium seals are in work.

The world – our home

The outstanding quality and durability of its products are hallmarks of the Vorwerk Group. Aspects of sustainability are also becoming increasingly important. As an international family-owned company, we have always thought across generations – with a clear vision: “We want a world in which a safe, healthy and opportunity-filled life is also possible in the future. A world in which we all feel at home.”

Vorwerk has been climate neutral since July 2022 by reducing and offsetting its own emissions (Scope 1 and 2). In fact, we want to reduce two thirds of these emissions compared to 2016 by 2025. It is also important to switch to renewable energies in electricity procurement. Where it makes sense, we also install photovoltaic systems at our properties. Furthermore, we are investing in e-mobility for our fleet of company cars. We are also working with our material suppliers to achieve further reductions: By 2030, we plan to reduce emissions by 20 percent compared with 2021.

Acting sustainably also means we are committed to helping disadvantaged people. Accordingly, we support many social projects such as the SOS Children’s Villages, the RTL “Wir helfen Kindern” foundation or the food bank in Wuppertal.

Curious? If you would like to learn more about our commitment, you will find a lot of information here.