K-Rauta, a Finnish hardware store chain and part of Kesko, one of the leading players in building and technical trade in Northern Europe, will add to its selection the first concrete products manufactured with Carbonaide’s low-carbon concrete technology.
First Carbonaide low-carbon paving stones in a hardware store
K-Rauta will be the first hardware store to sell the low-carbon paving stones, marketed under the brand Lakka IKI, from the concrete manufacturer Lakka. Their production uses the Carbonaide CO2 curing method, where part of the cement is replaced with carbon dioxide during the hardening phase of concrete.
The carbon footprint of the new Lakka IKI products is already from the outset about 50 percent smaller than that of traditional concrete stones, and we at Carbonaide continue with the manufacturer the optimisation work of carbon storage, with the target of reducing the carbon footprint of the concrete products even further as the production continues.
Lower footprint without quality compromises
Lakka IKI was an easy choice for K-Rauta. Sustainability and their own environmental goals tipped the scales.
In a consumer product like paving stones, low carbon cannot mean compromising on appearance, usability, and quality. In those respects, Lakka IKI does not differ from traditionally manufactured products.
Jonne Hirvonen, COO of Carbonaide: “It’s a wonderful testament to the quality of our technology that products made with it are reaching the market through a nationwide operator like K-Rauta.”
Commercial potential of the carbon dioxide curing technology proven
For Lakka, being able to get their pioneering work into the selection of the leading player in the hardware retail market is naturally a major success.
“Juho Hiltunen, CEO, Lakka: “We are proud that Lakka IKI, produced in a completely new way, will soon be available to consumers all over Finland. It is extremely important to us that the concrete product sector is also doing its part for sustainable development.”
Full production to start in March
Lakka IKI product manufacturing will start at Lakka’s Joensuu factory in March. They will arrive at K-Rauta stores soon after. The opening ceremony of the new production line will be held in Joensuu on March 6, 2026.
About Carbonaide
We make green concrete profitable. Carbonaide’s mission is to turn building materials from a large emission source into a carbon sink. Our international team, headquartered in Finland, combines knowledge in material sciences, carbon markets, and software engineering to enable the production of carbon-negative concrete. With the Carbonaide CO₂ solution, concrete manufacturers can utilise carbon dioxide to improve their products and store carbon permanently.
