The chair is the world’s first innovation that utilises foam forming technology, combines natural cellulose fibres, wood pulp and thermoplastic components, and represents a sustainable alternative for furniture design.
According to an article in PRNewswire – 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 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.
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