Thorens Launches Eco-Friendly Vinyl Records Made from Recycled PET
Thorens GmbH, the legendary German turntable manufacturer, has just made waves in the vinyl community with their latest release. They've introduced an eco-friendly vinyl record made from recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate), stepping away from the traditional PVC (polyvinyl chloride) that's been the industry standard for decades.
Many of us vinyl enthusiasts have been grappling with the environmental impact of our collections. Let's face it, as much as we love the warm sound of vinyl, PVC isn't exactly doing the planet any favors. Hearing that Thorens is taking tangible steps towards sustainability feels like a breath of fresh air.
The album in question is "Building Bridges Between Worlds" by Hamburg composer and pianist Götz Östlind. It features two of his classical works: his Sixth Piano Sonata, which he performs himself, and the "Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 8". For the orchestral piece, pianist Sergey Belyavsky teams up with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Anthony Armore.
The records are produced by Sonopress GmbH, who have developed the EcoRecord. By utilizing recycled PET—material we commonly see in plastic bottles—they've managed to create vinyl records that are not only recyclable but also significantly reduce environmental impact. Sonopress claims an impressive reduction of up to 85% compared to traditional PVC pressing methods.
From a technical standpoint, it's intriguing to consider how PET might affect the sound quality we audiophiles are so particular about. While we don't have specific data on acoustics yet, the move towards sustainable materials without compromising audio fidelity is something many of us have been eager to see.
For those interested, the album is available through Thorens' online shop, offered in both black and transparent versions of the EcoRecord. It's priced at €29.95, which seems reasonable given the innovative approach and the quality of the recordings.
It's encouraging to see industry leaders like Thorens taking responsibility and pioneering eco-friendly solutions. Hopefully, this sets a precedent, and we see more releases embracing sustainable practices without sacrificing the sound we all adore.
