Kiilto pioneers the use of bio-based and recycled-carbon raw material, significantly reducing emissions from wood adhesives production

Changing to a new raw material is not an easy task, especially when one has ambitious targets to significantly reduce impact while not compromising on quality performance. First, the potential raw materials need to be identified, and they need to come from partners that share common ethical and environmental principles. Then the new material must be tested. Demanding use doesn´t allow compromising quality. Kiilto´s Head of Purchasing and Logistics, Vilma-Lotta Moisio, has a clear understanding on why it’s such a priority for Kiilto and has become very familiar with the challenges in the process.

“Kiilto is actively working to reduce carbon emissions by transitioning the raw material to bio-based and recycled materials across its product portfolio. This effort highlights our commitment to circularity and bio-based development,” Moisio says.

Certified and traceable bio-based content

Kiilto´s wood adhesives are used in the wood manufacturing industry for products such as doors, parquet flooring, kitchen and bathroom worktops, and shelving. Compared to using fossil raw materials, Kiilto can reduce the carbon footprint of all of their D3-class PVAc adhesives up to 25% by switching to the new raw material. Kiilto´s RDI Manager Jukka Jokela believes that the percentage can even be increased in the future. "We produce life cycle assessment calculations on our products. These provide information that we can use in developing recipes and new solutions, and at the same time take further steps in lowering a product’s carbon footprint," says Jokela.

One example of the sustainable products used by Kiilto is Vinyl Acetate ECO-B, which is produced by Kiilto´s supplier Celanese. In 2023, Kiilto became the first company globally to adopt Celanese’s Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) that contained 30% bio-based content via mass-balance. In the beginning of 2025, Kiilto became the first Celanese customer to adopt a newer version of VAM with an even higher concentration of bio-based content, more than doubling it to 65%.

“We are grateful for customers like Kiilto whose leadership helps drive the demand for more sustainable alternatives using mass-balance. As customer demand has grown, Celanese continued our history of innovation by developing a new VAM pathway with even more bio-based content while still leveraging our global footprint and scale. We look forward to continuing our collaborations with leading-edge companies like Kiilto,” says Kevin Norfleet, Celanese’s Global Sustainability Director.

“Every new PVAc based wood adhesive includes a proportion of bio-based materials, never relying solely on fossil-based ingredients. One example is the use of Celanese’s Vinyl Acetate ECO-B. Its raw material bio-based content is certified through the ISCC+ mass balance system,” says Jokela.

ISCC+ (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) is a globally recognized certification for renewable, bio-based, and circular raw materials. It is designed to accurately trace and verify the flow of recycled or bio-based feedstocks through a complex value chain without the need for physical segregation of materials.

Early adopter of bio-based innovations in adhesives

In addition to using bio-based raw materials like Vinyl Acetate ECO-B, Kiilto is actively exploring new solutions to lower the impact on environment. Current RDI (Research, Development and Innovation) projects focus on testing hemicellulose, lignin, and cellulose, which are plant-derived materials with strong potential for use in industrial adhesives. These initiatives are grounded in the principles of the circular economy, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and enhance material efficiency.

“We adopt new technologies not only to meet our environmental targets, but to set an example in our industry and help our customers to meet their targets as well,” explains Eero Katajamäki, Market Development Manager at Kiilto.

One such innovation in the furniture industry is Kiilto Pro Debond, a breakthrough adhesive that makes reusing and recycling of bonded materials easier than ever. It uses Kiilto´s innovative Debonding on Demand adhesive technology, which enables materials to be separated without damage.

“This is a key step toward more circular product lifecycles,” Katajamäki notes.

In addition, Kiilto has introduced Kiilto Biomelt, the world’s first biodegradable hot melt adhesive, made from 70% bio-based raw materials.

“Lowering the environmental impact is the most important starting point of our product development. Sometimes the process can feel like detective work or a detour. Sometimes you reach the landmark first. However, both only give more fuel to search further and find new ways to lower the impact on the environment,” Jokela sums.