Kebony AS, the innovative company offering sustainable alternatives to tropical hardwoods, has won the 2013 Rushlight Responsible Products or Service Award.
The Rushlight awards bring together the top organisations at the forefront of developing new clean technologies and innovations. The Responsible Products or Service Award is awarded to the product or service which has achieved the most impressive reduction in its environmental impact.
Kebony, founded in 1997, is a cutting edge Norwegian company offering a sustainable alternative to tropical hardwood and toxic-treated wood. Through the environmentally-friendly process of ‘Kebonization’, sustainable wood species are turned into Kebony, which has comparable if not superior properties to that of tropical hardwood. This new wood has been used in a number of internationally renowned projects in applications including decking, flooring, cladding, roofing, windows, furniture and other construction materials.
Kebony’s international network of clients has allowed the company to make a substantial impact on the industry and demonstrates that there is a market for an environmentally-friendly, durable and aesthetic wood product. Kebony is fast becoming the material of choice for leading architects, designers, contractors and developers looking for high quality, durable and environmentally-friendly products. Recent high-profile projects include Kebony’s first major UK residential build – 25 Hurst Avenue in London, the Oslo Boathouse, the Hackney Picturehouse and London’s newest architectural landmark KREOD.
The highlight of the award ceremony on Thursday 31 January was a speech by Greg Barker, Minister of State for Energy & Climate Change. The Minister said: "Innovation is a key driver for growth across our green economy and beyond, helping us find new ways to cut carbon, reduce costs and help put our businesses on a more sustainable footing. It’s great to see so many organisations stepping up to this challenge, and I would like to congratulate the winners of the Rushlight Awards on their exciting new ventures."
This award is the latest in an impressive string of recent award wins secured by Kebony. These include the Best Business Award for Best Innovation in 2012, nomination as a fastest growing clean technology company in the 2012 Cleantech Connect Awards and acknowledgement as one of the world’s most promising cleantech companies in the Guardian Global Cleantech 100 in 2010 and 2011. Kebony has also received the Nordic eco-label, the Swan, the Glass Bear for sustainable production and the Norwegian Blue Ocean Award.
Jan Terje Nielsen, Marketing Director at Kebony comments: "Kebony are once again delighted to be recognised as one of the leading clean technology companies and pride ourselves on our innovative approach to environmental sustainability."