We present Veruso Lino, one of the first fully biodegradable wallpaper types, consisting entirely of plant-based raw materials which require only a very limited amount of water to grow. An innovative production method of felting with needles combined with a hydro-entangling process means that no conventional binding agents are required. The result is a top-quality, extremely robust wallpaper material which is also pleasant to the touch. As no artificial dyes are used, the wallpaper boasts a warm, neutral natural hue. Partly visible plant fibres create a delicate structure.
Issues with modern wallpaper types
Up to now, wallpapers consisted of paper or non-woven materials. The convenient adhesive properties of modern non-woven wallpaper models are due in part to added synthetic fibres. This makes recycling impossible, and old non-woven wallpaper usually ends up in landfill or waste incineration facilities. All reusable materials contained in those wallpaper types is irretrievably lost. In addition, the incineration process produces harmful carbon dioxide (CO2).
At first glance, paper-based wallpaper seems to be a more environmentally sound option. However, due to the fact that industrial dyes are used in the production process and there are usually traces of adhesive present after removal, old paper wallpaper is not recyclable. It cannot be used to manufacture new paper products. Even old wood chip wallpaper generally ends up in waste incineration facilities. When painted over with commercial wall paints, chemical substances like synthetic resins, binding agents and pigments are added.
Sustainability for walls
The more we think about what is going wrong in the wallpaper industry today, the less we can just ignore it. We'd like to do our bit, even if it is limited to our tiny little personal universe. We want to demonstrate that sustainability is both cool and in keeping with the times we live in, and it certainly doesn't mean sacrificing style or convenience – quite the opposite. Sustainability is simply the only possible way we can envisage for future wall décor.
A never-ending product cycle
Our product approach is the so-called biological cycle, i.e. all raw materials contained in a product can be re-used again and again. The production process, use and re-use are all designed to retain the quality of raw materials over various life cycles – a significant departure from conventional recycling methods. When our Veruso Lino wallpaper is broken down through composting, it releases valuable nutrients. The wallpaper waste turns into raw material for another product.
Environmentally friendly components:
- 65% flax
- 35% viscose
- 100% compostable
Main component: Flax
Flax fibres (also known as linen) are amongst the oldest textile fibres known to man. The cultivation of flax is very water-efficient and produces no waste as all by-products can be utilised. The flax used for Veruso Lino grows in Normandy, in northern France. There's a long tradition of growing flax in the region and it is well known for its large fields with bright blue flax flowers. Flax fibres are particularly well suited for wallpaper production as they are bactericidal (i.e. it kill bacteria), almost completely antistatic, and dirt-repellent.
Important addition: Viscose
Wallpaper made entirely of flax would not adhere to the wall. A supporting raw material is required to provide the necessary characteristics when combined with flax. We use viscose to achieve this. What might sound like a product of the chemical industry are in fact textile fibres of natural origin which is obtained from wood via an industrial manufacturing process. Our fibres are produced by the Lenzing company in Austria. Thanks to a closed cycle approach, the production is particularly kind to the environment. The wood is from sustainable forestry and FSC-certified.
100% Well-being
Sustainability is not the only impressive feature of our wallpaper Veruso Lino; it also boasts first-rate material quality and functional characteristics.
Sound-absorbing:
Sound waves created within the wallpapered room are partly absorbed due to the special consistency of the wallpaper material. This sound-absorbing quality has a measurable noise-reducing effect which will make both the inhabitants as well as the neighbours happy.
Heat-insulating:
Veruso Lino is about 0.5 mm thick and relatively light. Air is trapped within the flax and viscose fibres, creating a heat-insulating effect. The thermal energy of the heated room is absorbed by the wallpaper instead of being fully released to the wall itself. The following thermal camera picture demonstrates the insulating effect. Left - without Veruso Lino: The warmth emitting from the hand is immediately absorbed by the cold wall. Right - with Veruso Lino: The warmth emitting from the hand is absorbed by the wallpaper and stored.
Humidity-regulating:
Like wood and many other materials made from plant fibres, our wallpaper Veruso Lino absorbs room humidity (steam). As it releases the moisture when the ambient air becomes dryer, it actively contributes to a good room climate.
PLEASE NOTE:
This wallpaper is not suitable for wet rooms like kitchens, bathrooms or basements. Being continuously exposed to moisture inevitably leads to mould and deterioration.
Durable:
Veruso Lino is produced with an emphasis on saving resources and ensuring a long life span. In addition, the design is timeless, making frequent re-design efforts unnecessary. Nevertheless, there will come a time when the wallpaper has to be removed. Depending on the condition of the surface, it can be pulled off in a dry state or after soaking with a damp sponge.
Low flammability:
According to the European fire classification standard EN 15102+A1:2011, Veruso Lino complies with fire safety class B-s1, d0. This means that the wallpaper is suitable for public premises, offices and hotels. The respective certificate can be made available upon request. The flame-retardant effect is the sole result of the properties of the natural materials as the usual chemical additives are dispensed with completely.
No health risk:
Our wallpaper is produced from environmentally friendly flax and viscose. There are no other ingredients. It does not produce any exhalations. As it is impossible to gauge the safety of materials by simply looking at them, Veruso Lino underwent extensive laboratory tests. As a result of the pollutant tests, the wallpaper has been awarded the certification “STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX”.
How to hang Veruso Lino
Just like any standard non-woven wallpaper, Veruso Lino can be put up without great effort or previous experience. Simply apply the wallpapering paste directly to the wall and then put up the dry length of wallpaper on the pasted wall area. It goes without saying that each roll comes with instructions, including our special tips and tricks.
Note:
Please do not paint Veruso Lino with standard wall paint; simply use it in its original condition. Painting over it would negate all its positive characteristics, including its compostability.
Appropriate organic wallpaper paste
In order to ensure compostability, all materials must be free from chemical additives. Therefore, the adhesive used during hanging should also meet specific ecological requirements. Please do not use standard wallpapering paste when putting up Veruso Lino, including the standard products from our Shop. Instead, we offer a special organic adhesive which consists of pure cellulose (technical term: methyl cellulose, obtained from wood); other components were deliberately avoided.
How does the degradation process on the compost heap take place?
You can discard Veruso Lino on your compost heap without hesitation. After 6 to 12 months (depending on weather and season), the wallpaper will have completely broken down and decayed. In order to support the rotting process, we recommend to tear lengths of wallpaper into smaller pieces and mix them in with the other plant waste.
What lies ahead?
We are planning to gradually develop additional ecologically sound wallpapers under the Veruso brand; they will all meet our sustainability considerations. To this end, we have established collaboration projects with research facilities and universities. In cooperation with specialised manufacturing companies from our region, we create unique products “Made in Germany”, which meet the most stringent requirements in terms of quality and ecological soundness.