Cleantech pioneers expand to meet demand

|9 February 2017|

Belgium

A leading eco-friendly wood manufacturer embraced by architects worldwide is opening its second European factory.

Work is underway at Kebony’s new factory in the Flanders region of Belgium. Spanning two hectares it will initially produce 20,000m³ of Kebony wood each year but this could double as an additional two hectares is available for development. Philippe Muyters, Flemish Minister for Work, Economy, Innovation and Sports, visited the site of the new facility to welcome the new factory which marks the beginning of a new chapter for Kebony.

Recognised as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and six times listed as a Global Cleantech 100, Kebony is popular with international architects, designers and developers.

Kebony is an enhanced natural wood product embraced by leading architects across the globe. Kebony is durable, requires no maintenance beyond normal cleaning and is used in a variety of applications, including decking and cladding. The company has experienced a continued annual growth, with international sales rising by an average of 35% year on year for the last six years. Subsequently demand for this material has now exceeded the current production capacity at Kebony’s existing factory in Vold, Norway. Operating on a global scale, with distributors in Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Asia and America, Kebony is now able to increase its capacity, accelerate growth in line with demand and open new market opportunities for sustainable wood.

Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology, which has taken years of research and development, enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid. The process permanently modifies the wood cell walls giving Kebony premium, hardwood characteristics, resulting in significantly improved durability and structural stability.

Philippe Muyters,  Flemish Minister for Work, Economy, Innovation and Sports commented: “This new factory is certainly a welcome addition to the region. The creation of new jobs and opportunities for local people, in addition to substantial investment will contribute significantly to a thriving economy, an essential component for this area to grow and strengthen its identity. It is my pleasure to welcome Kebony to Flanders and I wish you every success with this endeavour.”

Christian Jebsen, CEO of Kebony, added: “On behalf of Kebony and our dedicated investors, we are thrilled construction is now underway and look forward to the start of production. With increasing demand for our environmentally friendly, high-performance wood, we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Kebony.”