The Nordbygg gold medal was presented at Woodbe in Karlstad. The competition is a collaboration between Nordbygg and Swedish Building Services. Ten product innovations are nominated annually. 

Lina Hann, project manager for Nordbygg, and Anna Göth from Swedish Building Services jointly presented the award and read the jury's motivation:

– The patented building system BiteLock with its self-locking fastening technology inspired by Lego is truly impressive. The start-up company Woodbe breaks new ground by applying a proven technique in a new way, thereby presenting a fresh and exciting product for the Swedish market. The fact that BiteLock is planned to be manufactured in Sweden using domestic renewable and circular raw materials, and that it is fully adapted for reuse and recycling, has made the jury's choice even easier. 

Significance of the win 

The happy recipients of the award, Filip Palosaari and John Elwin Segolsson, explain the value of receiving the gold medal: 

– It means a lot to us. We are a small and relatively new company in the industry, so getting confirmation that what we're doing is good and that we're moving in the right direction is fantastic.

BiteLock's self-locking structural system in cross-laminated timber contributes to more sustainable construction.

– This product is exciting in several ways. BiteLock significantly reduces the need for fasteners, which means less metal in the structure and, therefore, the potential for reduced climate impact. It can also provide a better working environment for carpenters, says jury member Ingar Lindholm from Swedish Building Services. 

Criteria 

The criteria for nomination are simple. Innovation in material news is rewarded. Over time, sustainability aspects have also begun to be considered.

– It should be a novelty that has not previously existed in the Swedish market. Inventions are rarely entirely new but rather build on old technology in new innovative combinations that move construction forward, explains jury member Björn Florman from Materialbiblioteket (the Resource Center for Materials)

The jury also consists of Anna Göth (Byggkatalogen/Swedish Building Services), Lina Hann (Nordbygg), Jenny Svärd (Byggmaterialindustrierna), and Ingar Lindholm (Byggkoll/ Swedish Building Services).

Among this year's nominated product innovations were a nail- and screw-free building system, a climate sensor with bird sounds, and toilet furniture made from recycled cardboard.

For more information about this year's winner, visit: https://woodbe.se/bitelock/ or Byggkoll »