Biodegradable, CO2-negative chipboards from fast growing local biomass
With Planterial® no tree will ever again be felled for particleboards. This is our promise and our idea which we want to realise. Our particleboards are made out of fast growing biomass from agriculture byproducts and a self developed organic binder which make our products biodegradable, easy to recycle and CO2-negative.
National
Germany
Kiel, Potsdam, Dresden
Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Yes
ESF : European Social Fund
EXIST-Gründerstipendium (April 2022 - End of March 2023)
No
As an individual in partnership with other persons
First name: Mika Last name: Siponen Gender: Prefer not to say Age: 25 Please attach a copy of your national ID/residence card:
By ticking this box, I certify that the information regarding my age is factually correct. : Yes Nationality: Germany Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Schauenburgerstraße 71 Town: Kiel Postal code: 24118 Country: Germany Direct Tel:+49 1590 1458572 E-mail:mika@planterial.de Website:https://planterial.de
First name: Hannes Last name: Stuhr Gender: Male Age: 25 Please attach a copy of your national ID/residence card:
By ticking this box, I certify that the information regarding my age is factually correct. : Yes Nationality: Germany Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Michelsenstraße 27 Town: Kiel Postal code: 24114 Country: Germany Direct Tel:+49 1577 7580650 E-mail:hannes@planterial.de Website:https://planterial.de
First name: Claudius Last name: von Thaler Gender: Male Age: 27 Please attach a copy of your national ID/residence card:
By ticking this box, I certify that the information regarding my age is factually correct. : Yes Nationality: Germany Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Augustenstraße 36 Town: Kiel Postal code: 24143 Country: Germany Direct Tel:+49 1523 8795235 E-mail:claudius@planterial.de Website:https://planterial.de
With Planterial®, we produce biodegradable, CO2-negative panel materials from annual renewable raw materials for furniture, trade fair and lightweight construction, sustainable interior design and ecological building. For the production we use industrial and agricultural byproducts, which we process into Planterial® board materials. A vegetable protein is used as a binder. There is a complete absence of petroleum-based binders or additives, making the products harmless to people and nature, 100% biodegradable and easy to recycle. Our first product is the Planterial® hemp board. It consists of the lignified part of the hemp plant, which results in a weight saving of 20-30% compared to an equivalent made of pine or spruce wood, while maintaining the same stability. The processing and areas of application are similar to a conventional chipboard. A negative CO2 balance was determined for the hemp board with the Agricultural Science Institute of the University of Kiel. The hemp board also impresses with its light aesthetic appearance and its composition, which is harmless to health. Thus, it can be used beyond the fields of application of a conventional chipboard in health-sensitive environments, such as the children's room or in hospitals. The hemp board is equally advantageous in the following areas on processing and disposal, since no environmentally harmful and unhealthy pollutants are released.
biodegradable chipboards
forest conservation
Making use of agricultural byproducts
CO2-sink
beautiful chipboards
We as Planterial produce biodegradable panel materials from fast growing raw materials. Our focus is on the use of hemp hurds, the woody part of the useful hemp plant. We combine the ecological advantages of the hemp plant, such as the breathtaking CO2-balance and resistance to droughts and pests, with a binder based on plant proteins, which means that our hemp board meets the highest health and ecological standards. We completely eliminate the use of tree wood and a binder containing plastic. Due to the low bulk density of hemp, the hemp board is more than 20% lighter than conventional chipboard and meets the approval requirements as furniture board for interior use (DIN EN 310 - P2). First plans are currently underway to set up a production facility for our hemp board with a view to launching it on the market as a series product. Subsequently, we see a great technical, economical and aesthetic potential to be able to accept individual and project-specific panel materials for sustainable building orders via admixtures (e.g. coffee grounds, hop vines, raspberry seeds, natural color pigments). The already scientifically proven use of agricultural crop residues and industrial by-products such as oat straw, sunflower shives, husks and paludiculture plants for the production of panel materials in combination with a close contact to the Technical University of Dresden and the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy Potsdam enable us to react to harvest and price fluctuations and to operate resiliently.
In view of the acute shortage of wood in Europe, we see a great need to switch from wood to continuously accumulating, regionally available biomass from fast-growing raw materials in order to be able to adequately meet the increasing demand for raw materials in the relevant industrial sectors.
The goal is to create a positive emotional experience for people, by incorporating elements of nature and promoting a sense of connection and comfort through the design and use of the materials.
The Planterial board materials can be experienced with all the senses. In addition to an attractive appearance, they have a positive effect on room acoustics. Depending on the raw material, the materials can take on the smell of coffee or cacao, for example, and create a suggestive olfactory atmosphere. The haptic experience is characterized by a noble softness and ensures a harmonious use. And, due to the health-harmless binder, our boards are even edible. However, we as a company advise against this for practical and taste reasons. As seen in the pictures below we produce with our board materials a completely new aesthetic for raw chipboards. Conventional chipboards are hidden, coated and relegated to the background by their gray unfriendly nature and unhealthy components. We want to change exactly that: We want to bring them back to the surface with overwhelming beauty and desirability. A lot of different architects and interior design studios understood that and the demand from these studios for interiors, trade fairs and exhibition construction is enormous. A cultural benefit from our Planterial is the involvement of local farmers for the regional provision of biomass. This creates cultural relationships with the raw materials and the products we make from them. A good example is our Planterial Seaweed Board with seaweed from our local beach Laboe, Kiel.
Furthermore Planterial has a strong design culture embedded in its core. The Co-Founder Mika Siponen developed a furniture family out of the Planterial board materials, which got the prize of Circular Pioneer by the German Design Graduates and the Hans Sauer Foundation
Our internal effect can be described by the characteristics of social entrepreneurship. That is: Fair, low-hierarchical structures based on values of responsible ownership rather than capital maximization and capital speculation by investors. Our current team is made up of male-reading individuals, and we place a strong emphasis on creating a future gender balance as we expand our team. Gender, diversity equality, like non-discrimination against people of all backgrounds and educational qualifications, is part of the company's culture. The same applies to the inclusion of people with special abilities. Planterial produces a sustainable product and strives for a socially just and sustainable treatment of employees. This includes fair wages and a family-friendly orientation of the company.
As an inclusive product we developed the already mentioned furniture family by Mika Siponen which one the one hand showed exemplary the aesthetics possibilities of our material and on the other hand was designed to be utmost inclusive and affordable. The furniture should show a socio-ecological future-vision for sustainable and accessible furniture.
Citizens can reap several benefits from the light and biodegradable chipboard made out of industrial hemp. The use of hemp combined with an organic binder offers several advantages over traditional materials.
Firstly, using eco-friendly furniture or houses made from sustainable materials promotes a healthier and greener environment, which can have a positive impact on people's physical and mental well-being.
Furthermore, the use of industrial hemp, a sustainable and renewable resource, reduces the environmental impact of the construction sector and the furniture production. Ensuring that future generations will have access to a healthy and livable environment. By choosing products that are biodegradable and made from sustainable materials, citizens can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable society.
The light weight of hemp-based chipboard makes it easier to transport, reducing the carbon footprint associated with shipping and trucking. In addition to these environmental benefits, the production of hemp-based chipboard can also stimulate the local economy by creating new job opportunities and supporting local communities and farmers. Especially by using a variety of annual plants there will be an economic benefit for rural regions.This can help to drive economic growth and promote social development.
We’ve already presented the project in schools to educate the younger generation about the importance of sustainability and to provide a real-life application of scientific and technical knowledge. By doing so, we aim to inspire the next generation to make more environmentally conscious decisions, promote creative and innovative thinking and encourage young people to implement their own sustainable or social projects.
In conclusion, the use of light and biodegradable industrial hemp-based chipboard can provide numerous benefits to citizens, including improved sustainability, enhanced mobility, better health.
Planterial GmbH already has a large network with far-reaching competencies due to a two-year project period prior to its foundation in 8 November 2022. The team is actively supported by the Center for Entrepreneurship (ZfE) at the University of Kiel. In addition, the Sustainability Design Lab and the Muthesius Transferpark as well as the Gründungsnetzwerk Schleswig-Holstein by providing space and consulting services, workshops and seminars.
In the area of development and production, Planterial GmbH benefits in particular from expertise of the two "industry coaches" Andreas Woest-Heinreich and Tretorg GmbH. Andreas Woest-Heinrich has many years of experience in the construction, commissioning and optimization of particleboard plants at the global market leader Siempelkamp GmbH. With more than 30 years of professional experience he is an absolute luminary in the field, he is being task with orders for the process optimization of particleboard plants worldwide. Tretorg GmbH acts as a consulting office in the field of process optimization, develops new products and manufacturing processes and brings its experience in the field of quality grading, cutting technologies and wood drying. In addition to the mechanical and process planning of the manufacturing operation, Planterial GmbH benefits from its industry knowledge and industry-related networking.
In the development and optimization of the product, we have the support of the Institut für Holztechnologie in Dresden (IHD), the Technical University of Dresden and the Thünen Institute in Hamburg with their extensive technical know-how. Also to be mentioned at this point is Dr. Nico Neitzel. Thanks to his studies in wood-based materials technology with a focus on sustainable panel materials, he is an excellent contact person. In the preparation raw materials (hemp hurds, oat straw, hop vines, etc.), Planterial makes use of its own Technology and good experience with the Leibniz Institute in Potsdam.
Planterial is an interdisciplinary team consisting of Mika Siponen, Hannes Stuhr and Claudius von Thaler. Hannes Stuhr is responsible for research & Development and Quality Assurance. He graduated in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Geography at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU). His bachelor thesis, entitled "Hemp instead of wood - the sustainable board material. [...]" was concerned with the research background of the Planterial hemp board. In this context, he conducted a series of experiments at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy Potsdam (ATB Potsdam) to test the board properties according to DIN EN 312.
Hannes gained extensive experience in the field of research and development related to panel materials. For example, he was responsible for a research project at the renowned and industry-oriented Institute of Wood Technology Dresden (IHD). The result of his work is the application for a patent, which is about to be filed.
Mika Siponen is responsible for product development, as well as marketing and corporate identity of Planterial. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Design in February 2021 at Muthesius University of the Arts Kiel. His bachelor's thesis, titled "The good life - producing sustainable furniture from hemp wood," was dedicated to Mika exploring the design possibilities of the hempboards.
Claudius von Thaler is responsible for accounting, financial statements, financial and liquidity planning and sales. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Kiel University of Applied Sciences in November 2020. He worked in several Start-ups and has extensive knowledge and experience of the hurdles and dynamics of young company structures.
Together we are a strong team for cross-innovation. We all want to shape the future sustainably with new environmentally friendly, CO2-negative materials.
Biodegradable chipboards made from industrial hemp are innovative in several ways compared to mainstream actions in the field of sustainable building materials:
Material: The use of industrial hemp as a raw material for chipboards sets these products apart from traditional chipboards made from wood-based materials. Hemp is a highly renewable resource, grown without the use of harmful pesticides or fertilizers, and is abundant in many regions.
Biodegradability: Unlike traditional chipboards, which can contribute to environmental waste, biodegradable chipboards are designed to break down and return to the soil, reducing the impact of building materials on the environment.
Sustainability: The process of producing biodegradable chipboards from industrial hemp is inherently more sustainable than traditional chipboard production, as it involves fewer inputs of energy and chemicals and generates less waste.
Performance: Biodegradable chipboards made from industrial hemp are strong, lightweight, and durable, making them suitable for a wide range of applications in construction and interior design.
In addition, we offer customization of the starting materials of our panel materials. This makes it possible to tailor the use of materials to the project and create a direct emotional connection. An example is a fish restaurant that can realize an authentic interior design with a mixture of seaweed. Or let's think of a cafe that can create a holistic experience for guests with kakoa and coffee plates.
In conclusion, the innovative character of Planterial lies in their ability to meet the demands of the construction industry for sustainable and environmentally responsible products, while also providing improved performance and the ability to respond precisely and innovatively to the needs of customers.
The decentralization of chipboard manufacturing from agricultural and industrial byproducts is a promising concept that can be replicated and transferred to other places and groups of beneficiaries. Key elements that can be transferred include:
Methodology: The methodology for producing chipboards from agricultural and industrial waste is simple, efficient and can be adapted to suit different environments.
Technology: The technology used in the production process is accessible and scalable, making it suitable for a range of locations.
Processes: The processes involved in the production of chipboards can be easily modified to fit different requirements and conditions.
Products: The chipboards produced are of high quality, sustainable, and eco-friendly, making them attractive to a wide range of beneficiaries.
Learnings: The experiences and knowledge gained from decentralizing chipboard manufacturing can be utilized to inform and improve similar projects in other contexts.
In summary, the decentralization of chipboard manufacturing from agricultural and industrial by-products is a transferable and replicable concept that has the potential to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly products to a wide range of beneficiaries. Especially in locations where there is a low amount of wood available, a production based on agricultural byproducts can be an important part of the value chain. The use of residues of annual plants as a starting material for building materials is something that can be adopted in different conditions for different use cases worldwide.
The Planterial boards address the following challenges:
Resource depletion: The reliance on finite resources such as forests for chipboard production can be reduced by using alternative, renewable resources.
Reducing pressure of use on forest: By using alternative resources the forest conversion into more stable and climate resilient forest can be sped up.
Climate change: The production of chipboards from agricultural and industrial byproducts has a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional chipboard production, contributing to efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Economic development: By creating new opportunities for local communities to produce and sell chipboards, the concept can help to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in areas where they are needed. The production of chipboards in different communities can be a step towards having more further processing in economically underdeveloped countries.
Community engagement: The local production of chipboards from byproducts of industry and agriculture can promote community engagement and awareness of sustainable production methods.
Environmental sustainability: The use of byproducts of industry and agriculture as raw materials for chipboard production reduces waste and helps to minimize the impact on the environment.
