Making furniture with paper machines - VTT and ISKU have created a novel biocomposite chair from cellulose
Press release 4 April 2024
The chair is the world's first innovation that utilizes foam forming technology, combines natural cellulose fibres, wood pulp and thermoplastic components, and represents a sustainable alternative for furniture design. The new demo chair can be seen and experienced at the Pulp & Beyond 2024 Exhibition on April 10th-11th 2024 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and ISKU, a leading Finnish furniture manufacturer, have joined forces to create a new kind of chair that showcases the potential of biocomposite materials. The chair is made from a cellulose-plastic compound that uses natural annual fibres, polypropylene and wood pulp from Finnish forests as raw materials.
“The biocomposite material was produced by VTT using foam forming technology, which was originally developed for papermaking. The process allows for high-volume and cost-efficient production and provides nearly limitless options for product customisation. Unlike conventional methods, we maintain the fibre properties and can get full reinforcing potential,” says Miika Nikinmaa, Biomaterial Solutions Lead at VTT.
“Once the process is optimised, we expect to be competitive even with extrusion technologies. In a previously published paper, we estimated that production costs would be 26% lower than with conventional technologies, but these figures will become more accurate as development continues.”
The material has excellent mechanical properties and can be 3D moulded into challenging shapes, making it optimal for lightweight structures. The thermoplastic composite can also be worked on with ordinary woodworking tools, making it a great drop-in solution for the furniture industry.
A unique design with environmental benefits
The chair, designed by ISKU, has a sleek and modern appearance that highlights the natural texture and colour of the biocomposite material.
“Our aim isn't merely to replicate existing products using new materials, but to pioneer innovative solutions that address unique customer needs previously unmet on the market,” says Mikko Porter, Head of Lean Six Sigma at ISKU.
The chair is durable, lightweight, and easy to assemble. The biocomposite material can be recycled at the end of its life cycle, reducing the environmental impact of furniture waste.
A new opportunity for the furniture industry with many additional applications
The global biocomposites market is expected to grow to approximately 7.6 billion US dollars. The estimated average annual growth rate from 2023 to 2027 is 7.6% (BCC Research 2022).
The biocomposite chair is a revolutionary product for the furniture industry. The biocomposite material can be used to create various shapes and forms and can be combined with other materials such as metal or wood. The material also has potential for other applications, such as packaging, consumer goods and construction. VTT is actively working with partners to build a strong value chain for commercial exploitation in the coming years.
“VTT will work with partners to advance the technology and explore ways to bring this exciting technology to market in the future. The material is expected to become available to consumers in the medium to long term,” Nikinmaa says.
The chair is the result of a HiPer project financed by Business Finland that involved VTT, ISKU, CH Polymers, Koskisen, Metsä Fibre, NMC Cellfoam, Paptic Ltd, Sulzer, Valmet and Volar Plastic.
Media material:
HiPer-VTT-ISKU-Demo chair pictures - VTT Material Bank (contenthub.fi)
Office chair made from cellulose, a biobased plastic compound, natural fibres and wood pulp (Image credit: VTT)
For more information:
For more information about the biocomposite material and the production process, contact HiPer project manager Miika Nikinmaa, VTT Biomaterial Solutions Lead, at miika.nikinmaa@vtt.fi or +358 50 344 1928.
For more information about the biocomposite chair and its design, contact Mikko Porter, Head of Lean Six Sigma, ISKU, at mikko.porter@isku.com or
+358 50 3024 262
Further information on VTT:
Satu Holm-Jumppanen
Manager, Communications
+358 50 305 4718, satu.holm-jumppanen@vtt.fi
www.vtt.fi
VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. We drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time, and turn them into growth opportunities. We go beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. We have over 80 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together.
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ISKU is a Finnish family-owned company established by Eino Vikström in 1928 in Lahti, Finland. Its products and services are renowned for their high quality. ISKU designs and develops, manufactures, and markets furniture, services and comprehensive interior solutions for homes, schools, offices, healthcare facilities as well as for all public spaces. In Finland, ISKU has a number of its own sales and service centers. In addition to the extensive service network in Finland, ISKU operates in the Nordics, the Baltics, France, Poland, Kazakhstan, and the Middle East, and is involved in various projects all around the world. ISKU has centralized its production to Lahti, Finland. ISKU‘s quality, environmental management and safety systems have been certified according to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45 001 standards. Today, all of ISKU’s production is PEFC certified. This means that all wood used in the production comes from sustainably and responsibly managed forests and the raw material’s chain of custody is known. www.isku.com
