Nordtreat, VVR Wood, and Woodio in the running for the Metsä360 Award

Three vastly different wood construction pioneers are competing for the Metsä360 Award, which this year will be given to an innovation that increases the added value of forests. Three Finnish companies have been selected as the finalists for 2025: Nordtreat, VVR Wood, and Woodio.  

Nordtreat develops next-generation bio-based flame retardants that are both durable and ecological. VVR Wood specialises in large wood elements for industrial buildings. Woodio is known for its ecological bathroom fixtures, which are made entirely out of a waterproof wood composite. The finalists were chosen by a panel of experts from LUT University and the Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation. 

“This year's Metsä360 finalists show the range of ways to increase the added value of forests – from fire protection and industrial construction to the design of everyday objects. It’s inspiring to see the sustainable, innovative approach domestic enterprises have taken to advance Finnish forest industry expertise,” says Esko Kolli, talousneuvos (Finnish honorary title) and spokesperson for the Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation.  

This year’s winner is selected by Sipe Santapukki, musician and nature influencer, Kari Sinivuori, co-founder and CEO of Uute Scientific, Martti Malmivirta, board professional, and Eveliina Pokela, director of the Forest Academy for Decision Makers. 

The Metsä360 Award is given annually to a solution, action, or innovation that promotes the added value of forests. This is the sixth year the Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation and LUT University have presented the award. Last year's winner was the microbial extract developer Uute Scientific.

Junior Metsä360 competition participants reflect on the everyday significance of forests 

The Junior Metsä360 video competition is also underway. Its theme is the everyday value of forests. The competition is open to seventh and eighth graders throughout Finland. A total of 6,000 euros will be awarded in prize money. 

“The Metsä360 competition enables young people to examine forests from their own perspective and present their views. This type of dialogue is important in building future solutions through research and innovations,” says Taija Hämäläinen, research director at LUT University. 

Both the junior competition winner and the Metsä360 Award recipient will be announced in an award ceremony arranged by LUT University in Lahti on 24 November 2025. 

Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation and LUT University presented the Metsä360 Award for the first time in 2020. The award honours the legacy and lifelong dedication to forests of the visionary Eino Kolli (1925–2016), recipient of the Finnish honorary title ‘teollisuusneuvos’. The award is part of the extensive cooperation between LUT University and the Kolli Foundation, which aims at increasing the added value of Finnish forests and supporting the growth of a responsible bioeconomy.