Environmental Technologies Fund (ETF) €12 million investment to support Kebony in its international expansion.

7th December 2009

A third of the world’s rainforests has disappeared in the last 50 years - equivalent to 8.5 million football pitches a year. The global demand for tropical hardwood simply cannot be satisfied sustainably - a major environmental issue. Kebony offers a solution, with a sustainable and cost efficient alternative to tropical hardwood. Kebony’s proprietary wood modification technology transforms conventional, fast growing, sustainable wood species into wood which looks, feels and performs like tropical hardwood.
 
Christian Jebsen, CEO of Kebony, says, ”Kebony is a revolution in wood products. Our exciting new wood materials are already used with enthusiasm by architects all around Europe. Kebony’s products resemble teak and other tropical varieties of wood. It is dark, very durable, and practically maintenance-free. The tropical rainforest, one of the world’s richest natural environments, is on the verge of destruction and the impact on climate change could be very severe. We believe Kebony is a solution for the future and I am very pleased to have ETF on board to help us achieving our global ambitions”.

Henrik Olsen, Partner of ETF, added, ”Deforestation is one of the most significant environmental problems the world faces - it already accounts for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. In particular tropical hardwoods like teak that take 100 years to grow are being cut down rapidly as demand for durable hardwood continues to grow. To give just one example, it is being used for boat decking, where its quality and durability is considered vital. Kebony offers a sustainable alternative, and is being adopted globally by these most discerning buyers. In fact Kebony has great potential to replace tropical hardwood in many multi-billion markets, and so make a major contribution to saving precious rain forests across the globe.”

For further information see www.kebony.com