Kebony, a leader in the production of sustainable and durable alternatives to tropical hardwoods, reflects on its history and the innovations that have driven its success. Under the new leadership of CEO Tom Paemeleire, Kebony aims to further its positive global impact, continuing a legacy of technological advancement and sustainability.
Foundations and Innovations
Tom Paemeleire underscores the significance of continuous technological development over the past 25 years, enabling Kebony to offer market-leading sustainable wood products. He emphasizes that this commitment sets a precedent for sustainable technologies in the global construction industry. Persistence in applied scientific research is a cornerstone of modern ESG investment, becoming increasingly crucial as demand for sustainable technology grows.
Though Kebony was founded in 1997, its roots trace back to the pioneering work of Canadian scientist Marc Schneider. Awarded a PhD from the College of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1978, Schneider was motivated by a desire to reduce deforestation and the pressure on tropical woods. His early research aimed to develop a sustainable and industrially viable substitute for tropical hardwood building products, thus helping reduce carbon emissions.
Breakthroughs in Wood Polymerisation
In the late 1980s, Schneider revisited abandoned research on treating sustainably sourced softwood species through a two-stage wood polymerisation process. By impregnating wood with renewable, furfuryl-based liquids and heating it to solidify the liquids, Schneider transformed softwood properties to mimic the durability and aesthetics of tropical hardwoods. Despite initial challenges, Schneider’s development of a compatible catalyst system overcame penetration limitations, forming the basis of Kebony’s technology.
Commercialization and Growth
Collaborating with researchers at the University of New Brunswick, Schneider’s work faced hurdles due to insufficient investment. In 1997, a meeting with Simen Gjolsjo from the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research led to the formation of Wood Polymer Technologies AS (WPT). This entity later became Kebony, a name chosen to reflect the connection to tropical hardwood.
Kebony’s growth accelerated with substantial investment in R&D and production facilities. In 2009, Kebony opened its first factory in Skien, Norway, followed by a second facility in Flanders, Belgium, in 2018. These expansions doubled annual production capacity to 40,000 m³. The company estimates that substituting Kebony products for Ipe hardwood in 2022 sales could save 143,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions.
Present-Day Impact and Vision
Today, Kebony holds around 60 active patents, with products featured in architectural projects across over 100 countries. Notable projects include Battersea Power Station in London, Tempelhof Airport in Berlin, and Pier 26 at Hudson River Park in New York. Kebony’s success is attributed to international scientific collaboration and the steadfast support of investors, emphasizing a long-term vision essential for impactful clean technologies.
Reflecting on Kebony’s journey, Marc Schneider highlights the crucial role of loyal investors and dedicated researchers. CEO Tom Paemeleire echoes this sentiment, noting that ongoing research and development are vital to Kebony’s success and the broader industry’s future. Under his leadership, Kebony remains committed to innovation, leading the revolution for a greener, more sustainable global construction industry.
See the original article at AZO Build.