Finnish chemical company Kiilto is testing a new adhesive technology that enables ceramic tiles and other building materials to be removed intact and reused, a move aimed at reducing waste and carbon emissions in the construction sector.
The project, run in collaboration with the ARKI 135 Circular Hub in Helsinki, is part of the city’s broader effort to support circular economy solutions that extend the lifespan of materials and reduce resource consumption.
Tackling Adhesive Waste
Adhesives have long posed a challenge for recycling because permanent bonds make it impossible to separate materials without breaking them.
Kiilto’s “Debonding on Demand” technology changes that by allowing bonds to be undone with controlled heat. That means ceramic tiles, which are energy-intensive to produce, can be lifted in one piece and reinstalled elsewhere.
The company said this could cut waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions and make bathroom and kitchen renovations less disruptive.
“The technology enables not only the repairing or recycling, but also the reuse of old materials. This can reduce waste generation significantly, while also saving materials, time and money,” said Raija Polvinen, chief ecosystem officer at Kiilto, in a press statement.
The method is already in commercial use in the furniture industry, where it allows easier reupholstering and recycling of textiles and laminates.
Circular Economy Testbed
The pilot project, in collaboration with Forum Virium Helsinki and Business Helsinki’s ARKI 135 Circular Hub, aims to explore whether the same approach can be scaled to the construction sector.
“Innovative solutions like Kiilto’s Debonding on Demand, by enabling the reuse of materials, offer novel possibilities for construction and the real estate sector and thus also support sustainable cities of the future,” said Kaisa Spilling of Forum Virium Helsinki, in the statement.
The hub serves as both a showroom and a testing ground for circular innovations, providing companies with an opportunity to validate their solutions in real-world conditions.
Scaling Up for Industry
Kiilto is promoting its adhesive innovation through its SUPER Healthy Building ecosystem, which brings together startups, academia and industry to co-develop sustainable building practices.
“At Kiilto, we have developed a toolbox that enables us to transform almost any adhesive type to be debondable,” Polvinen said. “Now we are searching for forerunners from different industries, who are willing to take this technology from the laboratory to a product fitted for their specific application with us.”
The company said scaling up such solutions will be key to creating a built environment where materials “live more than once” and construction waste is turned into opportunity.
