Akij Lacquer Grade Board: Product innovation for a sustainable future
The furniture industry is growing in Bangladesh, but this growth comes at a significant cost to our environment. With increasing demand for timber, deforestation rates are alarming. To address this pressing issue, Akij Board has taken a proactive stance towards sustainability
A growing threat
Bangladesh is losing approximately 7 million cubic metres of timber annually to fuel the furniture and interior design sectors. This unsustainable consumption is putting immense pressure on our forest resources, which already cover only 17% of the country's land area.
If left unchecked, this trend will lead to a severe timber shortage, hindering the growth of the furniture industry and impacting our overall environment.
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Lacquer grade board: A sustainable solution
Recognising the urgent need for a sustainable alternative, AkijBashir Group established Akij Board with a vision to balance environmental needs with industrial growth.
The company's state-of-the-art particle board unit has a daily production capacity of 1,029 cubic metres, capable of meeting nearly 5% of the country's daily timber demand.
Bridging the gap
While particle boards have been used in urban areas for furniture and interior design, there was a significant gap in the market.
Traditional particle boards lacked the ability to be engraved and lacquered at low cost, limiting their application.
Akij Board aimed to create a product that could replace solid timber while offering design flexibility, affordability, and environmental friendliness.
Innovation at its core
Akij Board's product development team embarked on a journey to develop a particle board that could be engraved and lacquered at a low cost.
By utilising wood chips from tree branches instead of logs, they created a product that could be lacquered, sanded, and filled, achieving a smooth lacquered finish in less time and at a lower cost.
The result of this innovation is the Lacquer Grade Board, launched in 2018. This product incorporates eco-friendly resins and waxes, allowing for designs up to 4 mm deep and easy cost-effective lacquering. The use of world-class German technology ensures consistent product quality.
Benefits of Lacquer Grade Board include:
- Design flexibility: Can be engraved up to 4 mm
- Cost-effective: Requires minimal lacquering chemicals
- Environmentally friendly: Low UF emissions and uses tree branches
- Affordable: Offers a budget-friendly alternative to solid timber
A positive impact
The introduction of the Lacquer Grade Board has revolutionised the furniture industry. Rural manufacturers have embraced this product, leading to a significant reduction in deforestation.
Akij Lacquer Grade Board has become a household name, saving millions of cubic metres of timber annually.
Economic and environmental benefits
By providing a cost-effective and versatile alternative to solid timber, Akij Lacquer Grade Board has boosted the furniture industry, creating employment opportunities and increasing market growth.
The product's eco-friendly nature has contributed to reducing CO2 emissions and preserving our forest resources.
Recognition
Akij Lacquer Grade Board has been recognized with prestigious accolades at the Bangladesh Innovation Award 2022. It clinched the honourable mention awards for Best Innovation - SDG Inclusion and Best Innovation - Product Development.
A sustainable future
Akij Lacquer Grade Board is a testament to the company's commitment to sustainability. By developing innovative and environmentally responsible products, Akij Bashir Group is leading the way towards a greener future for Bangladesh.
The writer is the head of marketing at AkijBashir Group.
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