Acoustic innovation grew from a customer question to an industrial reality 

The story of Aisti began ten years ago when an acoustics entrepreneur Mikko Paananen was sitting in a regular design meeting. When the conversation turned to materials, the customer asked a question that stuck in Paananen's mind: isn't there really a more natural alternative to the prevailing mineral and glass wool boards on the market? 

Paananen stated at the time that he would look for a solution, and if one were not found, he would make it himself. The promise did not remain a mere talk. That moment served as the spark for a process that will culminate this year in the launch of industrial production of wood fiber-based acoustic solutions. 

Transformation requires new types of materials 

Wood fiber was selected as an innovation material due to its renewability and technical properties. The construction industry is currently experiencing a historic transformation, where indoor air quality, circular economy and the origin of materials have changed from talk to strict requirements. Traditional solutions no longer fully meet market expectations. 

"Now is the right time to challenge established practices. The market does not just accept slightly better alternatives, but requires truly new generation materials," Paananen explains. 

The technology developed by Aisti is based on foam molding, which uses wood fiber to produce highly porous, lightweight, and acoustically superior products. At the same time, the process is designed for the modern world. The production runs entirely on electricity, which supports the transition towards lower-emission manufacturing. 

From pilot to industrial scale 

The choice of Kitee as a factory location was based on the existing industrial infrastructure and the region's strong expertise and willingness to cooperate. Aisti's strategy is not to build massive bulk production in North Karelia, but a manageable unit of approximately 30–50 people. The chosen size class enables rapid learning and a concept that can be replicated and scaled later. 

The journey from laboratory to factory required intensive research and investor trust. Credibility was built through long-term development cooperation, piloting and clear applications. The transition was facilitated by the product development phase's connection to VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland, from which Aisti's CTO Petri Let's go became a founding member of the company. 

"The biggest challenges were related to the stability of the process and the uniformity of the final product. Collaboration with VTT helped us to understand the material and the process in more depth," says Paananen. 

A look at international arenas 

Years of development work are now being materialized in order books and deliveries. Although the domestic market and the Nordic countries are the primary focus, the focus has been on international arenas from the beginning. The availability of wood fiber is ensured through long-term partnerships, so that the raw material flow remains responsible and reliable. 

The first goal is to stabilize Kitee's production and fully utilize its capacity. After that, the focus will be on expanding the market and developing new product applications on top of the same technology platform. 

Aisti is proof that Finnish wood expertise and bold technical innovation can continue to renew traditional industries. Behind the success has been a clear division of labor and a practical decision-making culture. 

“The biggest lesson has been how many things have to be managed simultaneously. A factory is not just a production line, but an entity that combines people, technology and schedules. Practical decision-making is emphasized when moving from plans to implementation,” Paananen sums up.