Published: 23-02-2011
High quality yacht decking has traditionally been made from teak, but supplies are increasingly difficult to source and harvesting is causing major environmental damage. Alternatives to date have not delivered the aesthetic and performance qualities of this endangered tropical hardwood. Kebony is now being heralded as the first viable alternative not only to tropical hardwood but toxic treated softwoods.
It has taken years of research to develop a sustainable technology that permanently transforms sustainable wood species. Kebony is an award winning environmentally friendly wood alternative to teak that is; as durable and stable, with a lower carbon footprint, and the advantage of being more wear resistant and easier to keep clean. Kebony even weathers in the same way, producing a silver-grey patina finish and non-slip surface, offering the first serious wood alternative to teak.
Kebony decking has undergone rigorous testing and recently opened a full scale plant opening up opportunities in the international boat market. ‘Kebony has the right solution for the future,’ comments Sandøy Båtdekk, the leading supplier of decking to Norwegian boat builders. ‘Kebony has launched a revolutionary new product. It meets all our quality requirements, and it is just as beautiful as teak. Our experience so far has shown that Kebony is more resistant to wear and easier to keep clean than teak.”
Through the revolutionary process of ‘Kebonization’ sustainable wood species like Maple are treated with bio waste and heated; this polymerizes the cell structures permanently hardening the wood. The increased hardness and tighter cell structure means spilled liquids are absorbed less.
Kebony's environmental credentials have been endorsed with the Nordic region's eco-label, the ‘Swan’ and ‘Blue Ocean’ product award. Recent environmental studies also demonstrate that Kebony maple has a substantially lower carbon footprint than unsustainable Burmese teak.* Kebony have received Norway's national environmental prize, the "Glass Bear" for sustainable consumption and production and were asked to present their revolutionary concept at the CC8 Climate Conference.
With a third of the world’s rainforests disappearing within the last 50 years, tropical hardwoods like Teak are no longer a viable choice for forward-thinking consumers; Kebony’s award-winning substitute for tropical hardwood provides the sustainable alternative. “This technology provides a global eco-solution to the major environmental challenge of rain forest deforestation,” says Christian Jebsen, CEO of Kebony. The Kebony technology is a cost effective, truly sustainable and independently verified alternative to hardwood and traditional toxic wood protection.
Kebony has international ambitions, and plans to develop licensing packages for the brand and the technology. Through this technology Kebony’s mission is to provide the world with beautiful, long lasting and environmentally friendly wooden products.