Tikkurila’s Sustainable Solutions Used to Paint the Finnish Pavilion at the World Expo 2017

The 2017 World Expo will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan between June 10 and September 10, 2017. The theme of the expo is “Future Energy” – promotion of sustainable energy and sustainable design. More than 100 countries have informed to participate in the Astana Expo 2017.

Finland is represented at the Astana Expo 2017 with its own pavilion, carrying the theme “Sharing Pure Energy”. Finland will present the Finnish energy efficiency know-how and clean-tech expertise as well as digital solutions, education, health technologies and healthcare through known Finnish brands.

Tikkurila is one of the key partners of the Finnish pavilion. At the expo, Tikkurila will promote its sustainable solutions for energy efficiency and a more sustainable living. All the interior and exterior surfaces of the Finnish pavilion will be painted with Tikkurila’s surface treatment solutions.

The Finnish pavilion, designed by Ateljé Sotamaa, will consist of 5 freestanding buildings made of cross-laminated timber. Each of the buildings has its own interior decoration, atmosphere and story supporting the expo theme.

“The architecture of the Finnish pavilion and the exhibition intertwine in an unforeseen way. One of the buildings is dedicated to energy production, another to energy efficiency, the third to clean water, the fourth to education, while the fifth building houses a café. The atmosphere of each building is built at the intersection of nature and the digital world,” says Kivi Sotamaa, one of the two architects of Finland’s pavilion.

“We designers selected the surface treatment solutions of the pavilion in cooperation with Tikkurila. Paint plays a major role, as color and lighting link each building’s architecture, surfaces and atmosphere to its theme and content. Our goal is to create strong contrasts and experiences and use various means to invite the exhibition visitors to participate,” Sotamaa explains.

Tikkurila has had operations in Kazakhstan since 2006, and the company is present in all Central Asian countries. Tikkurila, which is the market leader in Kazakhstan in premium products, was the first Western paint producer to start local production in the country.

“Tikkurila is an active player in Kazakhstan. In 2015, we opened a factory in Almaty, and currently employ around 40 people in the country. Our new ecological factory produces water-borne decorative paints to meet the needs of Central Asian market,” says Petri Miettinen, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Management & HSEQ at Tikkurila.

“We want to drive change in the painting and construction industry, and promote high-quality, safe, and environmentally sustainable products. Our presence at the World Expo is an important opportunity for us to showcase our products and expertise as a surface treatment professional, as well as to introduce the wide possibilities of surface protection and decoration with sustainability on top of our mind,” Miettinen adds.