It all started with a moment of realisation. When Jesús Gámiz looked at the sapwood from the oak that is used in the manufacture of Grupo Gámiz products, he thought to himself: “Is incineration really the best use for this wood?”

At Grupo Gámiz, where substantial resources—financial, intellectual, and creative—are devoted to enhancing industrial, construction, and decorative wood solutions in terms of functionality, sustainability, and creativity, questions like these are commonplace.

Once the ideas were in place, action followed. Jesús Gámiz, the CEO of Grupo Gámiz, reached out to Miguel Marqués, the CEO of Maderas Unidas. He shared his concerns and sent over a board comprised of oak sapwood pieces.

“See if you can come up with something,” he suggested.

And indeed, he did.

Miguel Marqués (left) with Jesús Gámiz

OAK 2 LIFE: Winner of the award for the most innovative product in the field of sustainability and circular economy at FIMMA + Maderalia 2024

Both companies believe that they have set a new benchmark in the sector. OAK 2 LIFE offers outstanding technical, aesthetic, sustainable and cost-effective performance.

This solid wood panel is made entirely from oak and features a double oak veneer. It is versatile and suitable for furniture, kitchen or bathroom cabinet doors, staircase elements, panelling and interior curtain walls, among other applications.

Jesús Gámiz and Miguel Marqués are confident that the industry itself will discover many more applications for this fully recyclable panel.

This is just the beginning, and the product has already been recognised at major trade fairs such as FIMMA + Maderalia in Valencia, Carrefour International du Bois in Nantes, and the Rubio Monocoat Atelier in Belgium.

OAK 2 LIFE, awarded at FIMMA + Maderalia

OAK 2 LIFE at RUBIO MONOCOAT Atelier and Carrefour International du Bois

A panel that is both 100% sustainable and fully customisable

OAK 2 LIFE is produced using finger-joint technology. The strips are bonded with D4-rated, moisture-resistant adhesive.

After the panel is formed, it undergoes a veneering process on both sides to balance the tensions inherent in this type of solid wood panel. The result is a far more stable product with the appearance of solid wood.

Although the standard size of 2.95 x 1.22 m meets most industry requirements and facilitates storage, OAK 2 LIFE offers extensive customisation options for professionals and companies.

This means that a panel can be customised precisely to aesthetic preferences and size requirements in a straightforward process:

1. Choose the panel thickness: 21 mm, 26 mm, 32 mm, 42 mm, or 62 mm.
2. Choose the type of oak veneer:  Planked Oak, Knotty Oak, Pippy Oak, or Crack Knotty Oak.
   
3. Select the surface treatment: smooth, open pore, rough sawn or segatto.
   

The introduction of a new concept for solid wood panels in the industry

With OAK 2 LIFE, the surface can also be given a rustic, naturally aged look. This look is achieved by removing the softer parts of the wood using various brushing techniques, which significantly improves the desired aesthetics.

OAK 2 LIFE is particularly suitable for the production of components that require both the strength and look of a solid panel. Its main advantage is that it can be milled and visibly machined, e.g. for the manufacture of door handles, as its outer and inner sides are made entirely of solid wood.

OAK2LIFE is easy to mechanize

Its creators are confident that this marks the beginning of a new product category:

“OAK2LIFE is causing a stir. It is an innovative product that fills a gap in the market that has gone unnoticed. Until now.”

The product was launched in mid-September and orders had already been placed by the end of the month.

Read the technical data sheet of OAK 2 LIFE

The wood industry needs innovation. The world needs a more circular economy. These two principles, combined with the collaboration of two companies committed to continuous progress in these areas — Maderas Unidas and Grupo Gámiz — have led to the development of this ground-breaking product.

Read all the information about OAK 2 LIFE by downloading its technical data sheet.

OAK 2 LIFE (technical data sheet)

Source: Madera Sostenible.

La entrada OAK 2 LIFE: the first solid oak panel from the circular economy se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.