Woodio won the Metsä360 award – Wooden bathroom furniture made from forest industry side streams aims for Europe

Manufacturer of designer bathroom furniture made of wood composite Woodio Ltd. has won the 2025 Metsä360 Award.

Woodio's innovation, the world's first waterproof wood composite, consists of wood chips generated as a side stream from the forest industry and a resin-based binder.

"The next development phase is for us to start internationalizing strongly," says the company's CEO. Terja Koskenoja.

“We have a new factory in Lahti, the capacity and credibility to enter the export market.”

Kemiamedia.fi announced in December last year that the smart automation for the Lahti factory was delivered by Bravida Finland.

Emission targets favor wood materials

According to Koskenoja, many European countries have set strict criteria for construction emissions, which favors wood construction and wood materials.

“We believe that our products go hand in hand with the growth of ecological construction.”

From public construction to the consumer market

Woodio's primary export destinations are the United Kingdom, German-speaking Central Europe and the Benelux countries.

“In addition to environmental friendliness and a small carbon footprint, the design and aesthetics of the product are decisive factors when architects make their choices for different construction projects,” says Koskenoja.

He expects the first breakthrough for durable wood composite furniture to be in public construction.

“The consumer market will then follow.”

Forests replace fossil fuels

According to Koskenoja, processing Finnish forest by-products into useful uses and high-quality products is particularly popular with environmentally conscious consumers.

Furniture made from wood supports the well-being of the planet, but it also lasts over time and looks good.

“Wood composite is a lighter and warmer material than traditional stone or ceramics,” says the CEO.

“It is also more ecological, as its carbon footprint is up to 80 percent smaller than similar ceramic products.”

Other award nominees also have a chance for a breakthrough

The Metsä360 winner was chosen by a jury consisting of government professionals Martti Malmivirta, Director of the Forestry Academy for Decision Makers Eveliina Pokela, musician Sipe Santa Claus and last year's award-winning Extract Scientific Managing director, CEO Kari Sinivuori.

In addition to Woodio, the following were nominated: a producer of bio-based fire retardants Nordtreat and manufacturing wooden elements for industrial construction VVR Wood.

The award is funded by the Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation.

Foundation's representative, financial advisor Esko Kollin According to the report, other award nominees are also replacing fossil products, and all have the potential for export and international breakthrough.

Previous winners of the Metsä360 award include Enifer's mushroom protein manufacturing process and Stora Enso's bio-based carbon.

Text: Päivi Ikonen, Kemiamedia.fi

Photo: Audiomedia. According to Woodio CEO Terja Koskenoja, waterproof designer furniture made from wood composite is ready to conquer the world.