Elof Winroth with one of Nordlufts' superdrones
Nordluft – the second finalist in the “What Wood You Do?” competition
It’s time to present the next finalist in the international innovation competition What Wood You Do, in our search for the next big climate-smart forest idea. Nordluft is one of six finalists have been selected from over 50 entries, to present their idea to the jury on September 24th, with a chance to win EUR 25,000.
Nordluft manufactures drones that can carry 30 kilos of payload to fertilize forests with high precision in a cheap, environmentally friendly way.
Their super drones are made to spread seeds, nutrients and ash with the future possibility for mosquito repellents, snow and oil-absorbing materials.
The drone system combines heavy lift drones, a swarm control system and a base station. It solves the need for increased raw material production in forestry and agriculture without a negative impact on the environment. An innovation with great potential to contribute to a fossil-free planet and a well-deserved place in the What Wood You Do final.
Elof Winroth
Hello Elof Winroth, founder and CEO of Nordluft. How does it feel to be in the final?
“It feels incredibly good! Getting such great recognition from experts in our primary market makes all the work done so far feel justified and gives us a push to invest more in the future.”
How will you pitch for the jury on September 24th?
“I’m working hard to reduce the part that is closest to my heart, the technology, and to instead talk more about the great positive effects on the economy and ecology, that this innovation can have in the long run.”
How will you use the money if you win?
“The majority would of course go to further development and testing. But we would also treat ourselves to a proper celebration in some form. One idea is a field trip to Canada where we would test one of our drones for sowing coniferous forest.”
Nordluft has a drone-based spreading system for forestry and agriculture, combining high capacity drones, a base system truck and AI-powered controls system
Join the final
We wish Nordluft the best of luck in the final, which will be broadcast online, live from Värmland Museum in Karlstad on 24 September. We want you to join and listen to Nordluft’s and the other finalists’ pitches. A unique opportunity to interact with the finalists and the jury, vote and learn more about each competing innovation. Register and participate online at whatwoodyoudo.eu/thefinal.
Curious about the other finalists? We will publish articles about them too. Read them here:
Wood Tube – paper studs for sustainable construction
Arboair – rapidly scanning and mapping forests with artificial intelligence
Biosorbe – purifies water and air from oil and bacteria
FineCell – turns cosmetics and paint green
SilviBio – frökapslar som gör att skogen växer bättre
About the competition
Paper Province announces the competition together with Gunnar Sundblad’s Research Fund, Stora Enso and Sveaskog. The winner will receive EUR 25,000 to develop their idea and a possible place in the Sting Bioeconomy start-up incubator. Second to fifth place are rewarded with EUR 2,500 each. Read more about the six finalists and the competition here: www.whatwoodyoudo.eu
Text: Helena Wannstedt
Photo: Nordluft
