From <\/span>bricklaying robots<\/span> to<\/span> zero-carbon cement<\/span>, startups are shaking up construction in a high-tech bid to build better, greener structures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One of these early-stage ventures is Finland-based Aisti. Founded in 2019, the company has come up with a way to make acoustic tiles that are \u201ccarbon-negative.\u201d Acoustic panels are a common construction material used to reduce noise and improve sound quality in buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n Aisti has raised \u20ac29mn in a mix of VC and debt funding to build its first industrial-scale factory in Kitee, a small town about four hours northeast<\/span>\u00a0of Helsinki.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The startup plans to bring the tiles to market in the second half of 2026 and has already signed multiple offtake agreements with customers in the construction industry, it said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Webinar: Unicorn DNA: The Blueprint for Scaling Success<\/p>\n What does it take to build a unicorn? Top executives of unicorn companies reveal the mindset, strategies, and innovative thinking that propelled their companies to the top.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Buildings alone are responsible for almost 40% of global emissions, so decarbonising construction is a critical piece of the sustainability puzzle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most acoustic tiles today are made from fibreglass, mineral wool or polyurethane, a type of plastic. Aisti\u2019s panels, however, are made from wood fibres, which are sourced from sustainable timber or waste paper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur production process is very resource-effective,\u201d founder and CEO Mikko Paananen told TNW. \u201cIf every single acoustic tile in the world were manufactured with our technology<\/a>, the need for wood fibres would be 700,000 tons annually which represents only the production of one medium-sized pulp mill.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aisti mixes the wood fibres with water and foaming chemicals similar to what is used in toothpaste. This forms a foam that is then moulded into squares and dried to make the finished tile.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe wood fibres stick together with natural hydrogen bonds, so no additional binders are needed making the material very light,\u201d explained Paananen, adding that the company will be able to make the panels at a similar pricepoint to conventional mineral wool tiles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aisti\u2019s patented material can also be adapted for use as thermal insulation, packaging materials, and composites.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe aim to first serve the Nordic market, meeting the growing demand for more natural building solutions in the region,\u201d said Paananen. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to have strong support from investors and other partners as we embark on this next growth phase and bring our product to market.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Technology for the built environment is set to attract $24bn in VC investment in 2024 as the sector outperforms key tech verticals like climate tech and fintech, according to the <\/span>State of Built World Tech <\/span><\/i>report<\/span><\/a> released this week.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aisti\u2019s funding round attracted notable early-stage investors including Voima Ventures, Maki.vc, and Valve Ventures. Part of the funding includes non-equity financing, including a \u20ac5mn loan from Norion Bank, a \u20ac7mn public grant from the South Savo ELY Centre and a \u20ac8.5mn capital loan from the Finnish Climate Fund.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are proud to support Aisti in its mission to revolutionize acoustic solutions with sustainable, high-performance materials,\u201d said Pirkka Palom\u00e4ki, partner at Maki.vc, a Helsinki-based deep tech fund. \u201cThis funding milestone marks not only the start of an exciting growth phase but also a transformative step for the construction industry as a whole.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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