The circular economy has become a highly discussed topic in European industry, leading to Pöyry Management Consulting choosing the theme ‘Sustainability driven innovation in decorative surfaces value chain’ for its Executive Session during the 16th Decorative Surfaces Conference organized by Technical Conference Management, held April 6-7 2016 in Leipzig. 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. He stressed the need to use of the ‘right’ bio-based feedstocks i.e. 2G bio-feedstocks which do not compete with arable land. Finally, he presented a MFC panel concept based on BASF glues and impregnating resins from renewable feedstock. Whilst the panel is ready to be produced, Mr. Gutting asked the audience about the market readiness for such a product.
Paul Clegg, Chief Executive Officer 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. Accoya has already been accredited with Cradle-to-Cradle certificate, while Tricoya is in the process of achieving it. Accsys Group’s revenues have been growing at double digits annually in the last five years.
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. Medite Tricoya Extreme is 100% recyclable in its raw panel form, can be re-used in panel production and utilised by any biomass facility to generate energy.
These USPs are not leveraged if decorative surfaces do not match them. Mr Clifton encouraged the decorative surfaces industry to work together with Medite Tricoya Extreme to ensure that not only the substrate, but finished products are 100% recyclable.
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 an inspirational talk, praising the 90-year old IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad as an innovative entrepreneur driving company growth through creativity and sustainability ideas. He also quoted Jack Welch ‘If the rate of change on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is near’ and stressed the urgency for innovative solutions. Anders gave examples of how IKEA makes furniture from waste, saving materials, time and creating the opportunity to reinvent materials.
An engaging panel discussion followed with audience participation. One of the key conclusions was that in the absence of a strong consumer push and willingness to pay the premium for more sustainable products, the decorative surfaces industry should take the lead in accelerating the adoption of circular economy principles, designs and solutions.
In the picture above- From right: Ania Krolak, Senior Consultant (Pöyry Management Consulting); Wolfgang Gutting, VP Glues and Impregnating Resins (BASF); Paul Clegg, CEO (Accsys Group); Peter Clifton, Product Manager Medite Tricoya Extreme (Coillte Panel Products); Naci Güngör, Brand and Communications Manager (Kastamonu Entegre); Anders Pettersson, Flatline Material & Technique Specialist Purchase Development (IKEA),Tomi Hartikainen, Principal (Pöyry Management Consulting)
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