Jyväskylä-based materialtech startup Aisti has secured a €20 million venture debt loan from the European Investment Bank under the InvestEU programme to scale production of its bio-based acoustic ceiling tiles. The financing will fund the expansion of Aisti’s manufacturing facility in Kitee, enabling the company to double its planned annual capacity to 2.5 million square metres ahead of commercial production starting in the second half of 2026. Part of the capital will also be channelled into R&D to further improve the tiles’ acoustic performance and fire resistance, supporting broader European market entry. Made from patented wood-fibre technology, Aisti’s mineral-wool-free tiles target commercial and public buildings, positioning the company at the intersection of sustainable construction, indoor air quality, and the EU’s circular economy ambitions.
Founded to address the environmental and health drawbacks of traditional construction materials, Aisti develops suspended ceiling acoustic tiles made from renewable wood fibres using patented foam-forming technology. Unlike conventional mineral wool tiles, Aisti’s products contain no mineral fibres, reducing the release of airborne particles and improving indoor air quality in environments such as schools, offices, and other public and commercial buildings.
Beyond factory expansion, the EIB loan will also be used to deepen research and development efforts, with a focus on enhancing the tiles’ acoustic performance and fire resistance. These improvements are expected to strengthen Aisti’s competitive position and accelerate its expansion across European markets, particularly in the Nordics.
The financing takes the form of venture debt — a long-term loan designed for innovative, high-growth companies — offering flexible conditions without diluting existing shareholders. According to the EIB, the investment aligns with the European Union’s climate and circular economy goals by supporting recyclable, bio-based building materials that reduce the construction sector’s carbon footprint.
“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.”
Aisti CEO Mikko Paananen said the funding allows the company to move beyond its original growth plans.
“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.”
As buildings account for a significant share of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, solutions like Aisti’s highlight how material innovation is becoming a key lever in the construction sector’s transition. With industrial production on the horizon and institutional backing in place, Aisti is positioning itself as a next-generation supplier for sustainable, high-performance building interiors across Europe.
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Read the orginal article: https://arcticstartup.com/aisti-raises-e20-million-eib-loan/
