Lignin-based interior tile is a significant carbon store
Uusi puu – The New Wood Project shows what wood can do. The project promotes wood-based innovations and provides information about them.
MO6 interior tiles have stored a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They are made from lignin, which is a side stream of biorefineries, such as pulp mills.
The carbon tile developed by the new Finnish interior brand MO6 is a more sustainable alternative to high-carbon-footprint ceramic tiles and concrete, as well as to composites containing plastics and resins. The tile responds to the need for a wood-based alternative to conventional surface materials with a higher environmental impact in construction and interior design.
MO6’s first products are wall tiles suitable for dry interior spaces. Behind the brand is Elementic, a materials technology company based in Lempäälä, Finland.
The patented manufacturing process uses lignin, a side stream of pulp production, which, according to the company, is transformed into a solid building material that stores more atmospheric carbon than any other building material in the world. One kilogram of the material stores approximately 2.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, considerably more than, for example, wood.
The material is 100% bio-based, lightweight yet durable, fire resistant, plastic-free, rot-resistant and VOC-free. The product is sustainable and its design highlights the unique surface texture of the carbon material. Thanks to the lightweight design of the interior tile, also transportation and installation costs are lower.
At the end of their use, the tiles can be crushed and used as a raw material for other products or as a soil amendment. Depending on the installation method, the tiles can also be removed and reused in another location. According to the company, the carbon remains stored in the product for thousands of years.
The carbon tile supports sustainable development goals by providing a carbon-negative solution that reduces climate impact and promotes more responsible consumption. Its fire resistance can reduce costs related to fire safety requirements, while recyclability lowers lifecycle costs.
MO6’s interior tiles have received the highest and rare Best of the Best distinction in the Sustainability category of the international Red Dot Award competition.
Forest.fi and New Wood are initiatives of the Finnish Forest Association.