EIB Lends €20M to Aisti to Scale Bio-Based Acoustic Tile Production in Finland

Aisti’s patented wood-fibre acoustic tiles provide a sustainable alternative to traditional mineral wool ceiling panels, widely used in schools, offices, and public buildings.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €20 million venture-debt loan with Aisti, a Finnish manufacturer of bio-based suspended ceiling panels, to help the company double its production capacity and accelerate the shift to healthier, recyclable construction materials across Europe. The investment supports EU climate goals, rural development, and the circular economy.

Aisti’s patented wood-fibre acoustic tiles provide a sustainable alternative to traditional mineral wool ceiling panels, widely used in schools, offices, and public buildings. The tiles contain no mineral fibres, meaning they do not release potentially harmful particles into indoor air, while offering strong acoustic performance and much lower carbon intensity.

Doubling Capacity at New Factory in Kitee

The EIB loan will allow Aisti to expand the planned output of its large-scale production facility in Kitee, Eastern Finland. The factory — scheduled to start manufacturing in late 2026 — will now reach an initial annual production capacity of 2.5 million square metres, representing roughly 17% of the Nordic acoustic-tile market.

The investment is part of the InvestEU Programme and supports an innovative company seeking to scale rapidly without diluting ownership.

Advancing Europe’s Circular and Low-Carbon Economy

The project directly supports EU climate ambitions by:

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions from construction materials

• promoting bio-based, recyclable alternatives

• strengthening the EU’s independent capacity to produce sustainable building products

• supporting regional development in a rural, low-industry area

EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer emphasized Aisti’s importance to Europe’s green transition:

“Europe’s green transition depends on the emergence of innovative companies like Aisti. 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.”

Venture Debt to Drive Innovation Without Diluting Ownership

Because Aisti is an early-stage growth company, the EIB support uses venture debt, a flexible long-term financing tool that helps innovative firms bridge the gap between early equity rounds and traditional bank loans. This structure enables companies like Aisti to scale their operations faster and with greater financial stability.

Aisti CEO Mikko Paananen said the financing accelerates their vision to transform construction materials:

“Doubling our capacity strengthens our ability to offer a natural, recyclable alternative to traditional acoustic tiles – at the scale the market demands. This partnership brings us closer to changing construction for good by making healthier, lower-carbon materials the new industry standard.”

Factory Powered by Clean Energy, With R&D Expansion Planned

Aisti’s new facility will feature energy-efficient production processes powered by clean electricity, further enhancing its low-carbon footprint.

Beyond expansion of the plant, the loan will fund R&D to improve acoustic and fire-resistant properties, enabling Aisti to:

• expand into more European markets

• strengthen performance standards

• meet stricter safety and environmental requirements

Supporting EU Climate, Bioeconomy and Innovation Goals

The financing aligns with multiple EU and EIB strategic priorities:

• EU climate and environmental targets

• bioeconomy and sustainable materials

• rural industrial development

• skills and job creation in low-industry regions

• the EIB’s TechEU initiative, supporting groundbreaking clean-tech and bio-based innovation

By helping Aisti scale production of sustainable construction materials, the EIB is strengthening Europe’s push toward lower-carbon buildings, reduced environmental impacts, and stronger circular-economy manufacturing capabilities.