Media
Press releases and articles about Hiil – our own and by external media.
Q&A: Secrets of charred wood – answers to questions many consider before buying
Hiil Oy expert answers buyers' most common questions: how charred wood works and lasts, whether it stains clothes, how to maintain it. Hiil gives a 10-year warranty on its products.
Read article
Centuries-old treatment makes wood look unique and water-repellent – Finnish company seeks growth from waterfront builders
Hiil and Turku-based Rakentajan Sarokas offer charred wood for archipelago and coastal building projects. Charred wood withstands moisture and UV without toxins; linseed oil enhances weather resistance.
Read article
From waste wood to durable building material – charred wood arrives in Southwest Finland and the archipelago
Hiil Oy and Turku-based Rakentajan Sarokas Oy are bringing charred wood to Southwest Finland. Charred wood withstands moisture and UV radiation without toxins and is well suited for coastal areas.
Read article/img-s3.ilcdn.fi/5652f741077297a953c345c98879071f289ddfc2a3f9cb651e6a63425943cf50.jpg)
Building a terrace? How to choose the right materials – Four examples with prices
Rakentajan Sarokas article presents terrace materials including Hiil's charred terrace wood. Charred wood is a responsible and durable choice; linseed oil binds the char and makes the surface non-toxic.
Read article
Behind paywall Brothers got a business idea: Turning waste no one wants into money
Brothers from Kontiolahti developed a business idea to turn construction waste wood into stylish cladding and interior boards. Master carpenter Miikka Kotilainen and his brother Joona founded Hiil Oy.
Read article
Behind paywall Kontiolahti-based Hiil Oy growing fast – Headcount doubled, over a million spent on R&D
The story of growing Hiil oy began when Miikka Kotilainen was asked what could be done with wood left over from a bridge construction site. The company collaborates with Kesko.
Read article
Charred board from waste wood suits terraces and cladding
TM Rakennusmaailma article presents Hiil's charred wood: boards and panels from side-stream wood suit terraces and cladding. Charring protects wood without toxins and creates long-lasting carbon storage.
Read article
First in the Nordics: Charred wood products now nationwide for pros, DIYers and interior designers
Charred wood panels and boards are available from K-Rauta's online store and as order products from over 120 stores. Hiil Oy's Kiertopuu® products are now available to professional builders and consumers.
Read article
Charred-wood manufacturer invests in Kontiolahti – capacity to grow tenfold
Hiil oy, which manufactures ecologically charred wood products, is building a new factory in Kontiolahti. Production is set to start in spring and capacity will increase tenfold. Kiertopuu products recently joined K-Rauta's range.
Read article
Entrepreneur figured how to turn waste wood into valuable raw material – 'Price multiplies'
Miikka Kotilainen of Kontiolahti-based Hiil oy is developing a method to char waste wood. The result is valuable cladding material from waste wood. Raw material is abundant – the construction sector produces nearly 300,000 tonnes of waste wood annually.
Read article
Timber industry waste put to use – surface-charred board suits many applications
Hiil oy is building a factory in North Karelia to manufacture non-toxic charred wood products. Investors in the funding round included Helkama-Kiinteistöt, Brabaco and North Karelia Growth. Charring is a centuries-old method; the company uses wood industry side streams.
Read article
Hiil Oy to build factory in Kontiolahti
Hiil Oy, known for its charred Kiertopuu® wood products, secured €1.5 million in funding and is building a factory in Kontiolahti. The company manufactures non-toxic, fire-treated wood surfaces for decking and interior and exterior cladding.
Read article
Millions in funding for Hiil Oy making ecological charred wood surfaces – factory to Kontiolahti
Hiil Oy made headlines in spring 2023. In autumn 2024 the company secured approximately €1.5 million in funding and is building a factory in Kontiolahti. Investors include Helkama-Kiinteistöt and North Karelia Growth Fund.
Read article
Millions in funding for Hiil Oy making ecological charred wood surfaces – factory to Kontiolahti
Hiil Oy secured approximately €1.5 million in funding in autumn 2024. The company is building a factory in Kontiolahti, scaling production and commercialising charred wood products. Investors include Helkama-Kiinteistöt, Brabaco Oy and North Karelia Growth Fund.
Read article
Company making charred wood surfaces to build factory in Kontiolahti
Hiil secured approximately €1.5 million in funding for building a factory and commercialising wood products. The first production line components will be installed by year-end; production starts next spring.
Read article
Hiil is wood's healer
Hiil manufactures charred wood responsibly for building surfaces. Most of the wood is Kiertopuu® products – wood that would otherwise be used for energy. The process is non-toxic and removes more waste than it creates.
Read article
Behind paywall New wood product manufacturer secured funding for factory investment – To multiply production
Hiil oy, founded last year, secured €1.5 million in funding for a factory investment in Kontiolahti. Four investors invested in the company. The company is building a factory and scaling up production.
Read article Hiil starts construction – recycling waste wood by charring the surface
Hiil Oy is starting to build its factory in Kontiolahti. The company recycles waste wood by charring its surface and manufactures ecological charred wood surfaces for construction and interior use.
Read article
Hiil Oy – New life for waste wood through charring
Kontiolahti-based Hiil Oy increases the reuse of wood materials by turning waste wood into usable construction timber through charring. The Kiertopuu brand gives waste wood a longer life cycle and reduces environmental impact.
Read article
Behind paywall At Hiil oy, side-stream wood from construction and timber industry gets a new lease of life through charring
About three years ago Miikka Kotilainen was asked how wood left over from a bridge construction site could be used. The idea led to the founding of Hiil oy in January 2023. The company chars recycled boards and planks.
Read article
Behind paywall Charring turns reject wood into a design product
An ancient Japanese surface treatment technique turns waste boards into valuable raw material. After charring, scrap wood becomes a design material used in architects' prestige projects.
Read article
New Finnish technology turns waste wood into ecological building material – Idea centuries old
North Karelian Hiil Oy has developed a process to turn waste wood into construction material by charring. Today waste wood is mostly used for energy; charring is based on the Japanese yakisugi technique.
Read article
Hiil Oy wins Kitee round of Start Me Up business idea competition
Hiil Oy was chosen as the winner of the Kitee series of the Start Me Up business idea competition and received a €5,000 prize. The company recycles and chars waste wood into Kiertopuu® construction material.
Read articleFactory planned for Kitee to recycle and char waste wood
Hiil Oy, founded in January and based in Kitee, is starting to recycle and char waste wood in Finland. The company aims to set up a factory employing dozens of people in North Karelia, with Kitee as a likely location.
Read article
Behind paywall North Karelian brothers developed new cleaning method for waste wood
A Japanese method inspired the brothers to clean waste wood by charring. A pilot project starts in Kontiolahti to recycle surplus and waste wood for reuse by surface charring. Hiil aims to build a factory in North Karelia.
Read article
New company turns waste wood into building material by charring – factory planned for North Karelia
North Karelian company Hiil recycles waste wood into construction and interior materials using surface charring. A pilot project starts in Kontiolahti; the goal is a factory employing dozens.
Read article