The event gathered over 230 participants, some coming from adjacent industries as proof of the sector’s growing attractiveness.
In circular economy waste does not exist, only resources. Materials are based on renewable resources and given back to the environment in a naturally regenerative process. Pöyry created the discussion panel with the aim of providing perspectives from different parts of the value chain and to answer the pertinent question: ‘are decorative surfaces ready to meet the circular economy challenge?’
The panel discussion was preceded by short presentations. Tomi Hartikainen from Pöyry Management Consulting gave an overview of the key challenges and opportunities that the bio-economy brings for the wood panel and decorative surfacing industry. He also presented thought-provoking case studies showing cradle-to-cradle laminates, biomimicry and bacterial remediation as tools to achieve the circular economy principles.
Wolfgang Gutting, BASF vice president for glues and impregnating resins, showed that sustainability is a reality, not a marketing gimmick for BASF, by sharing the statistic that 6% of raw materials used by the chemical giant are from renewable sources.
Paul Clegg, CEO of Accsys Technologies and chairman of Tricoya Technologies Ltd, presented a success story of acetylation technology which allows the production of formaldehyde-free and fully recyclable Accoya solid wood and Tricoya MDF panels.
Peter Clifton, product manager for Medite Tricoya Extreme of Coillte Panel Products, stressed the need for exterior surfaces that are non-toxic, long lasting (up to the 50 year warranty of Medite Tricoya Extreme), with minimal maintenance required and a low carbon footprint.
Naci Güngör, brand and communications manager of Kastamonu Entegre, presented the Turkish wood panel and decorative surfaces producer’s initiatives to become a more sustainable company that grows in harmony with the environment, its employees and community.
Anders Pettersson, Flatline Material & Technique specialist of IKEA Sweden, gave examples of how IKEA makes furniture from waste, saving materials, time and creating the opportunity to reinvent materials.
