His Majesty King Charles III and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb explore Finnish bioeconomy innovations in London
The King and President Alexander Stubb explored Finnish wood-based innovations at the New Wood exhibition in London on Tuesday, 17 March.
The visit to the New Wood exhibition by The King, President Alexander Stubb, and First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb took place on Tuesday afternoon (UK time).
“The event was excellent. It was the best possible promotion for Finnish wood innovations,” said Anne-Christine Ritschkoff, Chair of the Finnish Forest Association, after the visit concluded.
The traveling “New Wood: Building a Bio-Based Future” exhibition showcased Finnish wood-based innovations to the distinguished guests. One of the highlights of the exhibition, which has toured the world, is a bathtub made of wood composite by the Finnish company Woodio. Wood composite performs just as well as ceramic materials in bathroom environments, yet its carbon footprint is up to 80 percent smaller.
Also on display in London was a dress worn by Jenni Haukio, Finland’s former First Lady, and spouse of President Sauli Niinistö, made from Ioncell fabric derived entirely from birch. Mrs Haukio wore the dress at Finland’s Independence Day reception in 2018. Wood-based material has a significantly lower environmental impact than cotton.
At the London exhibition, The King, Finland’s presidential couple, and other invited guests were introduced to wood-based packaging, cosmetics, and numerous other products that can widely replace fossil-based raw materials. At the heart of the exhibition were packaging solutions. Even seemingly familiar cardboard packages conceal development work that is of great significance for a more sustainable everyday life.
The New Wood exhibition is organised by the Finnish Forest Association, founded in 1877. The exhibition was invited to be held in London by the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA), whose goal is to accelerate the global transition to a climate-neutral bioeconomy based on the circular economy. The CBA was founded by The King, a long-time advocate of the environment and sustainable development.
Marc Palahí, CEO of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, stated that bioeconomy solutions need visibility and concrete examples.
“We need to see that it is possible to build a better economic model that reconnects us with nature. When we see companies working toward this, it also inspires others to act for the benefit of nature,” said Palahí, who attended the opening of the New Wood exhibition.
By 2040, a bioeconomy based on the circular economy could account for up to half of the European economy, Palahí estimates.
“It would significantly help reduce pollution and climate change, strengthen the security of supply chains, and create jobs in both rural areas and industry.”
Teppo Hujala, a professor at the University of Eastern Finland and a guest at the London exhibition, believes it is important that the “New Wood” exhibition brings Finnish bioeconomy expertise to an international audience.
“To grow stronger, the bioeconomy needs support from decision-makers, experts, and citizens. Showcasing concrete wood-based innovations increases understanding of how the bioeconomy impacts everyday life and that Finland has strong expertise in the field,” says Hujala.
London is one of the key locations for showcasing Finnish forest bioeconomy expertise.
“The presence of bioeconomy innovations in key market regions is important for generating interest and laying the groundwork for future demand.”
According to Hujala, solutions with significant global market potential that can replace fossil-based materials are of particular interest. Examples include fossil-free cellulose coatings for food packaging, wood fibre insulation made from forestry side streams, and lignin-based tyre materials for vehicles.
The official opening of the “New Wood” exhibition on Tuesday was also attended by Finland’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah (The Finnish Christian Democratic Party), Finland’s Ambassador to the UK Teemu Turunen, the UK’s Ambassador to Finland Laura Davies, as well as leading figures in the forest sector and corporate representatives.
“It was once again wonderful to be Finnish and to see how keenly King Charles III explored the exhibition. He was particularly interested in the Finnish bioeconomy and its many innovations,” Essayah said.
Kirsi Joensuu, Executive Director of the Finnish Forest Association, credits the exhibition’s success to extensive collaboration.
“We thank the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance and The King’s Foundation for their cooperation in making this exhibition possible. We are also grateful to our member organisations and the Finnish Forest Foundation for their support. New Wood shows in a very concrete way how wood-based innovations can help build a more sustainable future,” said Joensuu, who attended the event in London.
New Wood is among the most visible projects that promote the responsible use of forests and increase understanding of their importance. It is funded by 20 member companies and organisations, as well as the Finnish Forest Foundation, which has been involved in the project from the very beginning.
The New Wood exhibition will be on display at The Garrison Chapel in Chelsea, London, from March 9–27, 2026. The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Finnish Forest Association, the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, and The King’s Foundation, founded by The King.