For immediate release 25. May 2020
Finnish eco-design company Woodio has today launched a new ecological wood material to its collections – Natural Birch. Woodio Natural Birch gives a new life to side-stream wood chips originating from Finnish Metsä Board Joutseno mill. The mill, part of Metsä Group, is one of the world’s largest and most modern production unit of bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp.
Before being used as the main raw material for a Woodio washbasin, the wood chips go through a screening process where possible impurities and inconsistencies are extracted. However, the shape and form of the chips stay untouched – and this is where the beauty of the material lies. The color of the new Natural Birch material is a lovely and earthy light brown, and the texture beautifully serendipitous as the chips have travelled through the mill’s various stages.
“The upscaling of Woodio’s production requires finding an industrial raw material source. The new raw material that has now been launched is a clear milestone on our upscaling journey, and it is great to see a side-stream of Metsä Group’s production used so beautifully. At the same time, the environmental footprint of the product will further decrease,” says Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Spring and Board Member of Woodio.
In everyday use, the Woodio material has the same features as traditional ceramic materials. However, the Woodio material’s almost carbon-neutral production method is a significant difference: as an environmentally friendly alternative, the Woodio material considerably reduces air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions compared with the ceramics industry. The material is fully waterproof, durable and sustainable, while serving as a CO2 storage. When the product comes to the end of its lifecycle, you can reuse it as energy waste.
“We believe that a transition into circular economy is a must. We all have to be more aware and start making sustainable choices, whatever we do. For example, high carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture of ceramic products is not as widely known as for instance emissions from the transport sector. The Woodio material is an environmentally friendly alternative to ceramic and similar materials used in the production of bathroom appliances,” says Petro Lahtinen, CEO and Founder of Woodio. “We are continuously seeking new raw materials that can improve the features of our material and make it even more environmentally-friendly. Our vision is to become the world’s leading eco-design brand and thereby contribute to the fight against climate change with our innovative material.”
Each step counts when it comes to reducing the carbon footprint. All Woodio products are manufactured in Finland at the company’s own factory with an almost carbon-neutral production process. Using mainly bio-based raw materials and developing a cast molding technology that does not require water or energy-intensive phases, unlike the ceramics combustion process, has allowed the company to bring down its products’ carbon footprint considerably lower than the industry traditionally has. The carbon footprint of a Woodio washbasin is 80% smaller when compared to a similar sized ceramic basin. The low weight of the final product also reduces emissions in logistics.
READ PRESS RELEASE IN FINNISH.
For more information, please contact
Petro Lahtinen, CEO & Founder, Woodio, tel. +358 50 581 1033
Mervi Laakso, Brand Manager, Woodio, tel. +358 50 410 9598
