Competition 2025
What wood can do The New Wood competition, organized for the sixth time, invites companies to tackle global challenges. The 2025 competition seeks concrete products and solutions that make innovative use of wood and promote the goals of sustainable development. Vote for your favourite during September – all voters will be entered into a prize draw to win a Mysoda Glassy sparkling water maker. Cast your vote here .
VIDEO
Candidates 2025
1. Origami folded paperboard
2. Bin shelter with green roof
3. Wood fibre insulation from side streams
4. Ecological sealing solution
5. Coffin from recycled wood
6. Forest cosmetics from spruce sugar
7. Levonpuu – a place for your phone to rest
8. Fossil-free cellulose coating
9. Cooling multipack
10. Mouldable wood fibre packages
11. Takeaway package set for bakery products
12. Tea advent calendar made entirely of cartonboard
13. Recyclable and fibre-based hygiene product packaging
14. Solid wood element from sawmill side streams
15. Packaging material for fragile products
17. Wood fibre bag printed with bioink from coffee waste
17. Lignin-based tyre material
18. Paper packaging for milk chocolate
19. Fibre packaging with natural polymer coating
1. Origami folded paperboard
Origami folded paperboard is an innovation developed by Aalto University and VTT, combining traditional origami folding techniques with modern packaging technology. Using the Miura-ori folding pattern, the paperboard becomes strong, flexible, and visually striking, allowing it to be precisely shaped to fit the product. The solution reduces raw material consumption, and its manufacturing process is chemical-free and entirely mechanical. Origami folded paperboard withstands significantly more compression than conventional corrugated board, and its compact, attractive form encourages reuse.
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2. Bin shelter with green roof
Kierto Shelter is a wooden bin shelter developed by the architectural office Elina Ipatti Oy. It combines waste management, green landscaping, and a modular, adaptable structure. Designed especially for compact urban courtyards, it serves as an ecological element of yard planning thanks to its green roof. The structure supports storm-water management and provides a habitat for pollinators. Made from domestic wood and recycled laminated timber, the chemical-free and fire-safe solution offers a visually appealing and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional bin shelters. This model-protected product is suitable for a wide range of settings, including housing cooperatives, private homes, and public spaces.
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3. Wood fibre insulation from side streams
Fiberwood has developed a production technology that transforms wood and natural fiber side streams into building insulation, acoustic panels, and protective packaging materials. The aim is to replace mineral- and plastic-based materials and to discover entirely new applications. The materials form a carbon storage for the life span of the products made of these materials. After use, the products can be recycled into raw material for new panels or utilized as soil improvers. Wood fiber innovations have the potential to significantly increase the value-added output of the forest industry and raise the export price per kilogram. Fiberwood aims to raise the current export value from under one euro to two or three euro per kilogram.
Read more at Forest News
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4. Ecological sealing solution
Creamill Ltd has developed the ZapFlap™ closure solution, offering a fully fossil-free, recyclable, and user-friendly alternative to resealable plastic bags. The paper-based adhesive closure responds to the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging, particularly in paper and cardboard applications. Made from food-safe materials, the closure withstands up to 200 open-close cycles and enables the production of cereal and muesli packages without separate inner bags, reducing packaging material amounts. It also works in hanging packages and cardboard boxes. The technology is provided by Grano Ltd, and the adhesive paper by UPM Adhesive Materials. This Finnish innovation supports the EU’s plastic reduction goals and has already attracted international attention – in spring 2025, it was awarded the iF Design Award.
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5. Coffin from recycled wood
Hukkapuu Ltd has developed a coffin suitable for burial use, made entirely of recycled wood. The coffin is crafted from clean, untreated boards, planks, and pallets, and all other components are also as recycled and environmentally sustainable as possible. The coffins meet the requirements of Finnish legislation and are suitable for both traditional burial and cremation. They return to the natural cycle without emissions. Although the coffin is single-use, its production conserves energy, reduces deforestation, and supports the preservation of carbon sinks. Hukkapuu is the only Finnish manufacturer that uses exclusively recycled wood in their burial coffins.
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6. Forest cosmetics from spruce sugar
Lavliér is a Finnish startup developing cosmetics using by-products from the forest industry. Its trademarked concept, Forest Cosmetics™, combines low chemical content, biodegradability, and renewable raw materials. The company has created prototypes of common cosmetic products such as shampoo, liquid soap, and creams, as well as entirely new innovations such as alcohol-free perfume and chemical-free serum. Lavliér has succeeded in reducing the chemical load of their products by up to 80% compared to conventional alternatives. One standout product, Tree Sugar Balm, is a multi-purpose cream containing spruce sugar, and packaged in a Sulapac wood-composite container.
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7. Levonpuu – a place for your phone to rest
Handcrafted by designer Sirpa Levonperä, the Levonpuu® stand offers a tangible resting place for your phone and a gentle reminder of the importance of presence. Its simple yet symbolic design invites you to step away from the screen and calm yourself. Made of solid teak and cherry wood, and finished with a natural, non-toxic hard wax oil, the stand is durable, ecological, and safe for people, pets, and the planet. In addition to FSC-certified wood, it also incorporates materials from fallen domestic trees. Levonpuu® is more than a design object – it’s a daily ritual that helps manage screen time and carve out space for serenity. The product has also gained international attention, including a feature in the British Vogue.
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8. Fossil-free cellulose coating
LUT University and VTT are jointly developing environmentally friendly cellulose-based materials in the Films for Future (F3) project, aiming to replace plastic coatings in food packaging. The goal is to meet both consumer expectations and EU requirements for sustainable packaging solutions. The new materials are produced using ecologically sustainable chemicals and are suitable for use as films or coatings on paper and cardboard. Thanks to their bio-based composition, the entire package can be recycled as cardboard, simplifying the recycling process.
Read more at Forest News
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9. Cooling multipack
Metsä Board has developed a plastic-free and adhesive-free corrugated packaging solution, specifically designed for multipacks for craft breweries. The innovative packaging is fully recyclable and includes space for coolers intended to chill beverages. It is designed to be reused for cooling purposes, which extends its lifespan. Its lightweight and slim structure is based on fresh fibres, ensuring product protection while enabling material efficiency. The packaging stands out visually on the shelf and supports environmentally friendly brand messaging. Renewable energy is used in its production, and the packaging meets recycling requirements – for example, the foil elements detach easily during the recycling process. This solution offers an ecological alternative to traditional plastic wraps, also for small product batches.
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10. Mouldable wood fibre packages
Metsä Spring’s Muoto® Twin Uncoated Fibre food packaging offers a grease- and water-resistant alternative without harmful PFAS compounds. This new multilayer, seamless wood fibre packaging is ideal for applications such as takeaway meals and disposable tableware. The packaging is made from renewable Nordic wood fibres using environmentally sustainable technology. It is recyclable, biodegradable, and hygienic, with a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional plastic or bagasse-based solutions. Production is resource-efficient and automated, and can be integrated into a bioproduct mill. All raw materials are traceable and sourced from responsibly managed forests.
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11. Takeaway package set for bakery products
Grano Oy and MM Kotkamills Boards Oy have developed a fully recyclable takeaway box for Bageri Å bakery products, combining protection, visual appeal, and sustainability. The box is made from ALASKA® BARRIER GREASE cartonboard, suitable for food use and resistant to grease and moisture without harmful fluorochemicals. It protects delicate items during transport, is easy to use, and also serves as a gift box. It is formed from a single sheet of cartonboard and is recyclable with cardboard waste. This solution supports the transition to fibre-based, responsible food packaging.
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12. Tea advent calendar made entirely of cartonboard
Grano Oy has designed a tea advent calendar for Forsman Tea, which is packaged in MM Kotkamills Boards Oy’s easily recyclable cartonboard to replace plastic. The calendar was created to delight tea lovers while supporting sustainable development. Both the calendar and its tea boxes are made of Finnish ALASKA® BRIGHT folding boxboard, which is also well-suited for food packaging. The numbered boxes serving as calendar windows, contain different types of pyramid tea bags and can be reused, for example, in children’s play. After use, the entire calendar can be easily recycled with cardboard waste.
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13. Recyclable and fibre-based hygiene product packaging
The wood fibre-based Paptic® material has been developed to replace plastic in single-use packaging for hygiene products, such as wrappers for menstrual and incontinence pads. The renewable wood fibre used in Paptic® comes from FSC-certified forests and can be easily recycled with cardboard. It is pleasant to the touch and does not rustle loudly – essential qualities for intimate product packaging. Packages made of this material are easy to brand, and it can be adopted without major production investments, as it is compatible with existing packaging lines.
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14. Solid wood element from sawmill side streams
Raikas EKO solid wood element is a construction product designed for wall structures, suitable for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing applications. The element is manufactured from sawmill by-products such as waney-edged boards, storm-damaged timber, recycled wood, and even blued wood. This gives new life to discarded materials and enhances the efficient use of natural resources. No adhesives or chemicals are used in the element; instead, the boards are joined together with steel nails. The result is a completely non-toxic and recyclable structure that also serves as a long-term carbon sink. Being a single-material component, the solid wood element – combined with façade and interior cladding – maintains breathability in the structure and significantly reduces the risk of moisture damage and indoor air issues, which are among the most common and costly health hazards in buildings. At the end of its lifecycle, the element can be reused as-is, chipped for energy, or refined into biochar.
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15. Packaging material for fragile products
Papira® is a fully bio-based, foam-like packaging material developed by the forest industry company Stora Enso. Its main raw material is cellulose fibre, making it a lightweight and shock-absorbing alternative to fossil-based protective materials – without using plastic. Papira® is biodegradable and can be recycled like cartonboard. Its production carbon footprint can be up to 70% lower than that of traditional plastic foams. Moreover, fibre-based materials can be recycled more than 20 times, making Papira® a long-lasting solution from a circular economy perspective.
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17. Wood fibre bag printed with bioink from coffee waste
TAMK is developing an innovative solution in collaboration with Natura Indigo Finland, challenging conventional dye production. The innovation utilizes waste from coffee roasteries – specifically surplus coffee, a by-product generated in large quantities during coffee processing. Instead of surplus coffee being incinerated for biogas, Natura Indigo Finland extracts its brown pigment which is then dried into a powder dye. This water-based bio-dye is made entirely from surplus coffee and is suitable for fiber-based materials. The first application has been tested on a Finnish Paptic® bag, made from wood-based fiber material. The coffee-based dye offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic and often fossil-based printing inks, with virtually a zero carbon footprint.Because the dye is produced from industrial side streams, its production requires no new raw materials or land use and causes no competition with food production.
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17. Lignin-based tyre material
UPM and Nokian Tyres have developed a tyre that incorporates UPM’s lignin-based filler, UPM BioMotion™ RFF, into its production. Lignin is a natural compound found in wood and generated as a by-product of pulp manufacturing. Nokian Tyres has patented the use of this material in tyre applications and licensed it to UPM which produces the filler at its biorefinery in Leuna, Germany. Fillers play a crucial role in tyre manufacturing, accounting for approximately 30% of a tire’s mass and significantly influencing its strength, flexibility, and durability. Traditionally, fossil-based carbon black has been the standard reinforcing filler in tyres. However, preliminary tests suggest that the lignin-based RFF not only replaces carbon black but may also enhance certain performance characteristics of the tyre.
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UPM Nokian Tyres
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18. Paper packaging for milk chocolate
Orkla Suomi and UPM Specialty Papers have completed a six-month pilot project during which Panda milk chocolate was sold in a paper-based wrapper. The wrapper is made of UPM Asendo™ Pro barrier paper (75 g/m²), which meets the grease-resistance requirements of milk chocolate. The new packaging can be recycled as part of the paperboard stream. Sealing the wrapper is compatible with Orkla’s existing packaging machinery, requiring no major equipment investments. The packaging development project also involved the printing house Walki Westpak. Traditionally, chocolate bars have been wrapped in plastic or paper–plastic laminates for protection against moisture and grease. In this new wood-based solution from Orkla Suomi and UPM, the goal was to combine protective properties with recyclability.
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UPM Orkla
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19. Fibre packaging with natural polymer coating
Walki’s innovations –Walki®Natur Seal and Walki®Pack N – combine wood-based raw materials with coatings made from natural polymers. The result is a plastic-free, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging material that offers a sustainable alternative to conventional single-use plastics. Walki’s packaging solutions comply with EU packaging waste regulations and fall outside the scope of the Single-Use Plastics Directive, helping companies reduce costs and reporting obligations. In practice, the material consists of a paper or board base coated with a layer of natural polymer. This provides grease resistance and sealability while allowing the packaging to be recycled with standard fiber waste.
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Candidates (vote here )
Origami folded paperboard – Aalto University & VTT
Bin shelter with green roof – Architectural office Elina Ipatti
Wood fibre insulation from side streams – Fiberwood
Ecological sealing solution – Creamill & Grano
Coffin from recycled Wood – Hukkapuu
Forest cosmetics from spruce sugar – Lavliér
Levonpuu – a place for your phone to rest – Sirpa Levonperä /Superuniikki
Fossil-free cellulose coating – LUT University & VTT
Cooling multipack – Metsä Board
Mouldable wood fibre packages – Metsä Spring
Takeaway package set for bakery products – MM Kotkamills Boards & Grano
Tea advent calendar made entirely of cartonboard – MM Kotkamills Boards & Grano
Recyclable and fibre-based hygiene product packaging – Paptic
Solid wood element from sawmill side streams – Raikas Eko
Packaging material for fragile products Stora Enso
Wood fibre bag printed with bioink from coffee waste – TAMK & Natural Indigo Finland
Lignin-based tyre material – UPM & Nokian Tyres
Paper packaging for milk chocolate – UPM & Orkla Finland
Fibre packaging with natural polymer coating – Walki
Evaluation criteria
The entries are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Ability to respond to global challenges or needs
Promotion of sustainable development goals
Social significance
Innovative use of wood
Global market opportunities
Jury Members
Members of Parliament
Pauli Aalto-Setälä , National Coalition PartyPetri Huru , Finns PartyKrista Mikkonen , The GreensPiritta Rantanen , Social Democratic partyEerikki Viljanen , Centre Party
Business and Research
Martta Fredrikson , Managing Director, Finnish Forest FoundationVille Hulkkonen , Director, Finnish Forest IndustriesMarkus Joutsela , Senior University Lecturer, Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and ArchitectureJohanna Lahti , Senior Scientist, VTTMari Pantsar , For the Woods initiative, Kone Foundation
Rules
Wood-based solutions can be existing products, methods or processes. An existing product/method/process may also refer to a solution that is commercially feasible but not necessarily yet on the market.
Concrete solutions compete in the competition, not people or companies. One solution can involve several companies, individuals or teams.
The competition seeks solutions for the following sustainable development goals: health and well-being, sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption, climate action, as well as life below water and life on land. A solution may address one or more of these goals.
The solutions may not have participated in previous New Wood competitions.
The competition does not apply to solutions concerning printing or writing paper or bioenergy.
The top three entries in the competition will be awarded with a video in which the developers can present their solution and its potential applications.
Schedule
September: All competition candidates will be presented on the New Wood social media channels, and the public can vote for their favourite . The competition jury will evaluate the candidates and interview the finalists in Helsinki.October: Announcement of the winners of the competition and public voting, along with a panel discussion by the jury at the 100th anniversary seminar of Metsäpäivät on 22nd October 2025 at the Finlandia Hall.
More information:
Virpi Korhonen
Partners
