Montinutra's solution for dust control on gravel roads is based on the use of forest industry side streams. The raw material is wood chips, which are refined in the process.
The goal of YITHackathon was to help to find new ecological materials that effectively bind dust particles during the surface treatment of gravel roads or form a binding layer on the surface of the road. The materials were not allowed to be hazardous to groundwater or the environment.
Gravel road dust binding is currently achieved with salts, the use of which is trying to be reduced due to their environmental impact. The salts used in road maintenance can additionally accelerate vehicle corrosion. As a result of climate change, gravel roads have become drier, leading to greater challenges related to dust on the roads. The need to treat the roads has also increased.
The final contestants of the innovation contest were Montinutra Oy, LignoSphere Company, Metsäväylä Oy, Ekopine Oy and Bang & Bonsomer Group Oy. The Hackathon was organised by the Jyväskylä University of Applied Science’s Bioeconomy Business Accelerator, BioPaavo, together with Kasvu Open.
Montinutra Oy is a startup valorizing saw and pulp mill side streams to new valuable ingredients. Montinutra is part of the Metsä Group CVC, Metsä Spring Oy, portfolio.
