Kiilto is innovating by using biobased and recycled-carbon raw materials in its wood adhesives, significantly lowering emissions from production. This move supports its goal to reduce its products’ carbon footprint and help customers cut their indirect (scope 3) emissions.
Switching to new raw materials is challenging, requiring thorough testing and partners who share strong ethical and environmental principles. Kiilto’s Head of Purchasing and Logistics, Vilma-Lotta Moisio, emphasizes the importance of balancing impact reduction with maintaining high quality.
“Kiilto actively transitions to biobased and recycled materials across its portfolio, demonstrating our commitment to circularity and sustainability,” says Moisio.
Kiilto’s wood adhesives are used in manufacturing doors, flooring, kitchen and bathroom surfaces, and shelving. By switching from fossil-based raw materials, Kiilto can cut the carbon footprint of its D3-class PVAc adhesives by up to 25%. RDI Manager Jukka Jokela believes this can be improved further. “Our lifecycle assessments guide recipe development and help us lower the carbon footprint continually,” Jokela explains.
A key example is Vinyl Acetate ECO-B, supplied by Celanese. In 2023, Kiilto became the first company globally to adopt Celanese’s VAM with 30% biobased content via mass-balance. By 2025, they adopted a version with over 65% biobased content, more than doubling the previous amount.
Jokela notes, “Every PVAc wood adhesive now contains a proportion of biobased materials, certified through the ISCC+ system, which ensures traceability of recycled and bio-based feedstocks without physical segregation.”
Beyond Vinyl Acetate ECO-B, Kiilto is exploring plant-derived materials like hemicellulose, lignin, and cellulose for use in adhesives. These efforts align with circular economy principles, aiming to cut emissions and improve material efficiency.
Kiilto’s innovations include Kiilto Pro Debond, a breakthrough adhesive enabling easier reuse and recycling of bonded materials, and Kiilto Biomelt, the world’s first biodegradable hot melt adhesive, made from 70% biobased raw materials.
