Asak Miljøstein: Shaping Norway’s outdoor spaces with sustainable innovation

By Celina Tran

As Norway’s leading producer of concrete products for outdoor spaces, Asak Miljøstein has been shaping the landscapes across the country for over 100 years. From innovative collaborations with top designers to a focus on environmental sustainability, Asak Miljøstein is a testament to how tradition and modernity can go hand-in-hand.

With a legacy spanning over a century, Asak Miljøstein has become synonymous with high-quality, innovative concrete products for outdoor spaces. This pioneering company combines traditional craftsmanship with forward-thinking designs, offering functional, sustainable, and visually striking solutions for both private gardens and public environments.

“We’re proud to be the leading producer of concrete products for outdoor environments in Norway,” says Hanne Sønsteby Rooth, managing director at Asak Miljøstein. “Our products are used in everything from small private gardens to large-scale public projects, and we work hard to ensure that both are functional and beautiful.”

The range includes paving stones, curb stones, retaining walls, and even outdoor lighting and drainage systems. “We offer everything needed to create an outdoor space that looks good and works well,” says Sønsteby Rooth.

Asak Miljøstein: Shaping Norway’s outdoor spaces with sustainable innovation

Hanne Sønsteby Rooth, managing director. Photo: Oioioi

From humble beginnings to national leader

Asak Miljøstein’s story began in 1916 with the founding of its first production facility in Fetsund, initially producing sand before transitioning into concrete. As the market and demands have changed over the decades, Asak has grown and adapted. “We started as a sand business before shifting to concrete products. In fact, we are still the only Norwegian company that manufactures double-layer pavers today, which is a point of pride for us,” says Sønsteby Rooth.

Throughout the 20th century, Asak Miljøstein expanded with Vikaune Fabrikker in Stjørdal launching in 1919. “Vikaune began with a mix of businesses, including barrel-making and even coffin production, but by 1946, they focused exclusively on concrete products, which allowed them to refine their expertise,” explains the managing director.

Photo: Oioioi

Over the years, the company has grown both in size and scope. In 2006, Asak Miljøstein opened a new factory in Hønefoss to meet increasing demand. Operating from five production sites across Norway – Bodø, Stjørdal, Kristiansand, Hønefoss, and Fetsund – Asak Miljøstein is able to provide locally sourced solutions with minimum transport. Sønsteby Rooth notes that this comes as a part of the company’s commitment to both sustainability and local communities.

“All our products are manufactured at ISO14001-certified factories, which ensures that we meet the highest environmental standards,” she says. “We are continually working to incorporate more recycled materials into our production and are constantly innovating to reduce our environmental footprint. Another priority is to contribute to the country’s industry by creating workplaces across the country.”

Photo: Oioioi

Innovation with a purpose

One of Asak Miljøstein’s standout achievements is Asak FLYT®, a permeable paving system developed in collaboration with renowned architecture firm Snøhetta. “Asak FLYT® addresses one of the biggest environmental challenges faced by urban areas, stormwater management,” says Sønsteby Rooth. “It’s designed to allow water to drain through the spaces between the paving stones, preventing flooding while also creating a visually unique and flexible design.”

This innovative product has earned international acclaim, including an award in New York and nominations for environmental prizes. Asak FLYT® is also the only product in its category to receive the DOGA mark, a prestigious Norwegian award for design excellence. “The product combines form and function,” she adds. “It’s not just about solving a problem – it’s about creating something that enhances the beauty of outdoor spaces at the same time.”

Further, Asak FLYT® is labelled Made in Norway, a trademark that requires, among other things, that a substantial part of the production occurs in Norway, that it meets the high-quality standards set and, thus, also adheres to the environmental and industry-specific standards.

The company wants the spaces it helps create to not only be functional but also inspiring and uplifting. In 2021, Asak Miljøstein took another step towards making outdoor environments more vibrant with a collaboration with Koi Fargestudio and Dagny Thurmann-Moe, a Norwegian colour expert. “We wanted to bring more life and character into outdoor spaces. Traditionally, concrete products have been limited to neutral tones, but we wanted to offer something more dynamic,” says Sønsteby Rooth. The result was a range of colourful paving stones that add a playful yet refined touch to any environment.

With its rich heritage and forward-thinking approach, Asak Miljøstein is not just laying the groundwork for beautiful outdoor environments, but also for a more sustainable future.