Is it possible to create more value from wood in an industry that has remained largely unchanged for over a century? By combining wood, design, and printing technology, the startup Scandinavian Woodprinting is developing wall coverings that serve both as building materials and finished surfaces, while also reducing the environmental impact of construction projects.
The company develops custom-designed solid wood wall panels for homes, public spaces, and commercial properties. The products serve both as building materials and finished surfaces. The wood is primed, patterned, and varnished before delivery. Some patterns are purely decorative, while others mimic the appearance of specific wood species, such as an oak pattern on pine.
One key aspect is that the product replaces several steps in the process.
“These days, walls are often built using drywall, spackle, and wallpaper in several steps. With this system, you simply install the panels and the surface is finished right away. We’re trying to simplify both the design and the construction process,” says Anders Bosenius, CEO of Scandinavian Woodprinting.
The panels are installed using clips instead of nails. This makes it possible to remove and reuse them. As a result, there is less material waste and installation is easier. The products also act as carbon sinks and can help reduce the environmental impact of construction projects.
Create value, give back
Behind Scandinavian Woodprinting is the Sundare Liv Foundation, whose goal is to promote biodiversity. The business model is based on wood processing, with a portion of the proceeds being reinvested in nature.
“We want to create value from forest materials while giving back to nature. That’s the basic idea,” says Anders Bosenius.
The company participated in the latest round of Bizmaker’s business development program, Forest Business Accelerator, which gives startups in the forest bioeconomy the opportunity to develop their businesses in collaboration with the industry.
“I don’t think many people believed wood could be used this way. They helped us both challenge and clarify our own idea,” says Anders Bosenius.
Design is becoming part of the business
Anders Bosenius believes that the value of wood products has grown only slightly over time. A key part of the concept is that design creates value, rather than simply using more material.
The company is currently in a scaling-up phase, with a focus on building the right organization and partnerships. The company now sells its products through a digital design tool that allows customers, architects, and property owners to choose patterns and designs. There is already concrete interest in doing business with the company.
– This allows more people to get involved and influence the design early in the process.
With the help of a strong network
The work in the Bizmaker accelerator has helped chart the way forward, including how the company defines its needs, prioritizes its next steps, and secures funding.
Organizations such as SCA, RISE, IBM, and Sweco provide access to both expertise and relevant testing environments.
– Our collaboration with Sweco has been particularly valuable when it comes to technical issues and regulations, such as fire safety and building codes.
At the same time, the company is in discussions about starting production, a natural step as demand begins to take shape.
– There is a lot of interest in wood in many countries. But we’re taking it one step at a time and focusing on making the business work, both technically and commercially.
CONTACT
Anders Bosenius, Scandinavian Woodprinting
070 735 21 02,anders@bosenius.se
About Sunda Rum and Scandinavian Wood Printing
Sunda Rum is run by the Sundare Liv Foundation, which conceived the idea. Anders Bosenius is the chairman and CEO of the subsidiary Scandinavian Wood Printing. The method and design were developed by Eva Zwahlen.
About the Forest Business Accelerator
The Forest Business Acceleratoris a collaboration betweenBizMaker,SCA,IBM,Sweco, andthe Processum Biorefinery Cluster—part ofRISE—a platform where innovations in forestry and the bioeconomy can flourish through collaboration between entrepreneurs, industry, and research.
