MINISTER PETER HAUK VISITS SCHORN & GROH
The project was funded under the BIPL-BW innovation program of the Ministry of Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection of Baden-Württemberg and stands as a showcase for the region’s bioeconomy.
From veneer to a flexible high-performance composite
The starting point was the idea of consistently evolving the well-known real-wood composite NUO and rethinking it ecologically. The goal: a product that combines the natural aesthetics of wood with state-of-the-art materials engineering—based entirely on renewable raw materials. Whereas conventional composites rely on synthetic textiles and petrochemical adhesives, the new FlexHolz material uses only natural components sourced in Baden-Württemberg.
The decorative top layer consists of premium wood veneer from sustainably managed forests. For stabilization, a fabric made of hemp or cellulose fibers—tested specifically for tensile strength—is used. The decisive breakthrough lies in the adhesive layer: instead of polyurethane or PVAc, a thermoplastic film based on lignin is employed. Lignin is a natural polymer that occurs as a by-product of wood processing and is used here, for the first time, as an environmentally friendly bonding component. The result is a decorative, highly flexible, and biodegradable composite that sets new standards in both appearance and performance.
The key to the material’s exceptional flexibility is precisely tuned laser engraving of the wood surface. After lamination, only the thin veneer layer is micro-segmented with a laser beam while the underlying textile remains intact. This fine structuring creates a notably pleasant haptic feel and enables the material’s extreme bending and tensile performance. Thanks to the microscopic perforation, FlexHolz can also deliver acoustic benefits—an advantage for interior applications such as wall and ceiling elements with sound-absorbing properties.
Scientific development and industrial scale-up
Research began in October 2022. While DITF Denkendorf established the scientific and technical foundations, Schorn & Groh and NUO GmbH focused on practical implementation and transferring the results into industrial production processes. In numerous lab trials, suitable natural fibers were analyzed and tested. Hemp fabric proved particularly well-suited: mechanically robust, environmentally sound, and highly compatible with lamination.
In parallel, DITF developed a lignin-based adhesive free of fossil components, offering strong adhesion and good processability. Through thermoplastic hot-pressing, a durable bond between wood and textile was achieved, delivering excellent results in peel tests. Schorn & Groh subsequently transferred these findings to production. In collaboration with Jura-Plast, lignin films of various thicknesses were manufactured and processed on industrial presses into large-format sheets.
FlexHolz also impresses in terms of environmental performance. Extensive testing examined the biodegradability of its components: the material proved fully compostable and showed no toxic effects. Even after months of exposure to moisture and heat, it remained dimensionally stable and mechanically resilient. Long-term stability was also assessed: tests over 28 days at 70 °C showed that FlexHolz maintains high tear-propagation resistance after combined wet and dry conditioning—confirming its suitability for demanding conditions and long-life applications.
Minister Hauk praises innovation and sustainable value creation
On September 30, 2025, Peter Hauk MdL, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister for Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection, visited Schorn & Groh GmbH and its strategic partner NUO GmbH, also based in Karlsruhe-Hagsfeld, to learn about the project and its results first-hand. During a tour, the Minister gained insights into how the new material is made and its wide range of potential uses.
“It is extremely encouraging that, within the BIPL-BW innovation project and through the collaboration of the partners, such promising results have been achieved,” said Minister Hauk. He emphasized that projects like FlexHolz demonstrate how research, craftsmanship, and industry can jointly develop solutions that are both ecologically and economically compelling. The Minister also highlighted the Baden-Württemberg Bioeconomy Innovation Award.
For Schorn & Groh, the Minister’s visit is a special endorsement of years of R&D. Rolf Loose-Leonhardt, Managing Director at Schorn & Groh and NUO, commented: “We are proud, together with our partners, to have created a material that is not only more sustainable but also works at industrial scale. FlexHolz proves that ecological responsibility and technical innovation do not exclude one another—they reinforce each other.”
From research to real-world use
With development complete, FlexHolz is ready for industrial application. The first large-format demonstrators have been produced and included in NUO GmbH’s sample book. The material will now be actively presented to customers—especially partners in the automotive industry seeking sustainable interior materials. The innovation is also attracting strong interest in the furniture and interior architecture sectors.
Combining a natural surface, high flexibility, and excellent technical performance, FlexHolz opens up entirely new possibilities in design and processing. At the same time, it helps reduce microplastics and CO₂ emissions, as all core components are based on renewable raw materials.
Founded in the orbit of Schorn & Groh, NUO GmbH is driving market introduction with great commitment. The company develops flexible real-wood materials that set new accents in both automotive and interior design. FlexHolz is positioned as a “next-generation” product—uniting nature, technology, and aesthetics.
A contribution to a sustainable future
FlexHolz not only avoids the use of petroleum-based products; it also creates new regional value chains in Baden-Württemberg. By using local resources and partnering with regional companies, transport routes are shortened and CO₂ emissions reduced. The project reinforces the state’s innovative strength and illustrates how the “Sustainable Bioeconomy Strategy of Baden-Württemberg” can be put into practice.
A particularly innovative aspect is the material use of lignin, a by-product of the pulp and paper industry that has mostly been burned to date. More than 80 million tonnes of this biogenic polymer are generated worldwide each year. With FlexHolz, lignin gains a high-value technical application, transforming it from a waste stream into a functional component of a durable, sustainable material. In doing so, the project not only closes the material loop but also delivers a measurable contribution to CO₂ reduction.
For Schorn & Groh and NUO GmbH, the project marks an important milestone on the path to a sustainable future. The combination of research, material expertise, and craftsmanship shows that ecological materials are no longer a niche. FlexHolz stands for responsibility, innovation, and design—and for a future that can be made of wood.