BCHS have teamed up with Metsa to discuss the importance of choosing renewable materials, as well a quality and innovation. Let’s talk about wood!
When you think of wood, what comes to mind? Maybe a sturdy table or a cosy cabin? While those are classic examples, wood actually plays a much bigger role in our day-to-day lives than most people realise. From the toothpaste in your bathroom to the packaging of your favourite snacks, wood-derived materials are quietly working behind the scenes. In this blog, we’ll uncover how wood is being used in unexpected and innovative ways—and why that’s a win for both consumers and the planet.
From Forest to Food: Wood in the Kitchen and Beyond
It may come as a surprise, but that creamy texture in your favourite ice cream or the smooth consistency of ketchup might be thanks to wood pulp. A compound called carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), which is derived from cellulose in wood, is commonly used as a thickener and stabiliser in food products. And it doesn’t stop at food—CMC is found in household items like laundry detergent, toothpaste, and even eye drops. It’s a clear example of how natural resources can be refined into safe, effective, everyday essentials.
Beauty and Paints: The Power of Softwood Pulp
Wood is also making waves in the beauty and design industries. Ingredients like Cell Ox—made from biodegradable softwood pulp—are being used in everything from sunscreens to decorative paints. These bio-based alternatives offer a gentler, more sustainable option for products that are often petroleum-based.
Smart Packaging: Reducing Plastic, One Cup at a Time
Sustainability in packaging is no longer optional—it’s expected. Companies are turning to paperboard and other wood-based materials to replace plastic in product packaging. One standout innovation is a recyclable paperboard cup designed for confectionery items that is not only resealable but also fits perfectly in a car’s cup holder. It’s this kind of practical, sustainable thinking that resonates with modern consumers.
Tissue Products: Everyday Necessities, Sustainably Sourced
Toilet paper, napkins, kitchen towels—we all use them, but have you ever considered where they come from? Wood-based fresh fibre is a key ingredient in these daily-use products because it ensures cleanliness, strength, and softness. A single medium-sized tree can produce roughly 1,000 rolls of tissue paper, highlighting just how efficient and resourceful this natural material can be.
Interior Design: Rethinking What Wood Can Do
From floors to furniture, wood is a staple in interior design—but it’s evolving. Innovative companies are now crafting bathroom tiles and other home finishes from wood composites, replacing ceramics with low-emission alternatives. Not only do these products look beautiful, but they also help reduce the environmental impact of home renovations.
Conclusion
Wood isn’t just for building anymore. It’s shaping what we eat, how we clean, how we live, and even how we care for ourselves. By choosing renewable materials, you’re making a statement: that environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand with quality and innovation, and you’re making choices that support a more sustainable future. What everyday item surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow this newsletter for more insights into sustainable innovation.
The Metsa Group promote the bio and circular economy by making products from northern wood, using every part of the tree as efficiently as possible. Regenerative forestry, climate change mitigation and adaptation, efficient use of resources, and personnel development and well-being are an integral part of our profitable growth strategy and business.
Check out Metsa’s partnership with BCHS here Metsa Katrin | BCHS
Find out about BCHS’s commitment to Sustainability here: Sustainability | BCHS
