Aisti, a Finnish producer of bio-based suspended ceiling acoustic tiles made from patented wood-fibre material, secured a €20 million loan from the European Investment Bank under the InvestEU programme. The financing supports expansion of production capacity and continued research and development, strengthening Aisti’s position as a sustainable alternative to mineral wool ceiling solutions for commercial and public buildings.
The funding enables construction of a large-scale manufacturing facility in Kitee, Eastern Finland, scheduled to begin production in the second half of 2026. The investment allows Aisti to double planned capacity to 2.5 million square metres annually and advance work on improved acoustic and fire-resistant performance, supporting market growth across Europe and the Nordic region.
Structured as venture debt, the financing supports European climate and circular economy goals by reducing building-related emissions and promoting recyclable materials, while providing flexible, non-dilutive capital for scaling innovative manufacturing.
“Europe’s green transition depends on the emergence of innovative companies like Aisti,” said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. “By backing this project, we are promoting the circular economy, supporting rural development, and reinforcing Europe’s capacity to produce sustainable construction materials at scale.”
“With EIB’s support, we can move faster and further than our initial business plan,” said Aisti Chief Executive Officer Mikko Paananen. “Doubling our capacity strengthens our ability to offer a natural, recyclable alternative to traditional acoustic tiles – at the scale the market now demands. This partnership brings us closer to our vision of changing construction for good by making healthier, lower-carbon materials the new industry standard.”