FINLAND – Helsinki-based producer of ecological wood fiber insulation and packaging materials Fiberwood has raised US$3.23 million (€3m) in seed funding for its ecological insulation and packaging materials.
The funding round was conducted by Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring, with participation from Stephen Industries and public financing from Business Finland.
Fiberwood will use the money to develop and scale up the production capabilities of its pilot plant as it heads into industrial-level continuous production.
Fiberwood’s insulation sheets are bio-based, plastic-free and compostable. The product is made from wood pulp and side streams from the mechanical wood industry with “special” foam-forming technology.
Karita Kinnunen-Raudaskoski, Fiberwood’s Director of Technology and Product Development said: “Our innovative foam-forming production process is more energy-efficient and uses less water than similar processes in general, so we promote the goal of sustainable development by using side streams, producing high-value products energy-efficiently, and promoting wood construction.
“Compared to fossil-based plastic packaging solutions, depending on the fiber base, Fiberwood’s packaging material can be recycled in cardboard recycling, composted, used as soil improvement material, or even used for planting seedlings and seeds.”
The insulation sheets include natural traits of trees as well as air pockets that increase the material’s insulation capabilities.
The products are carbon negative as they store and bind carbon dioxide to the wood for as long as it exists.
The insulation sheets are easy, safe and quick to install. Once they are ready to be recycled, the insulation sheets will biodegrade into plastic-free soil.
Shifting away from fossil fuels
The global insulation market is valued at €25 billion (US$26.89 billion), according to Precedence Research.
Fiberwood says the global insulation market is currently dominated by two products: inorganic mineral wools, such as stone or glass wool and fossil-based cellular plastic products, like polystyrene.
The companies believe these products have more negative environmental consequences as they are not recyclable or biodegradable. Fiberwood fiber-based insulation in a stack.
“One key goal is to replace fossil-based plastic solutions that are not optimal in terms of environmental sustainability. Somebody needs to bring these more sustainable solutions to the market,” asserts Kinnunen-Raudaskoski.
She continues by saying it is vital to use fiber for making material products that can be recycled – then if no such solutions are applicable, by generating energy.
Many of the raw materials that Fiberwood is keen to utilize are today incinerated directly. Making packages and insulation material is a better first utilization for this material.
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