Viretta Materials – PFAS-free, sustainable & high-performance

Our Material Philosophy

At the heart of Viretta lies a philosophy born between two worlds: the demanding environment of professional gastronomy and the considered principles of Nordic design. This intersection defines our uncompromising standard.

We believe that the quality of a tool is a direct reflection of its origins – a holistic promise of integrity in our materials, responsibility in our craftsmanship, and proactive safety in our finished products.

This is a transparent insight into the materials we choose. A story of performance, sustainability, and a deep, shared respect for people and planet.

Three principles that shape everything we create

Every material we select is measured against three fundamental pillars. They form the conscience of our company and are the operational standard for everything we create.

Uncompromised material integrity:

We select materials recognized for both their superior performance and proven sustainability. From the specific grade of our metals to the certified origin of our wood, each component is carefully chosen to create a product of lasting value and integrity.

Responsible Production:

We have chosen to work with factories that uphold the highest international standards for craftsmanship, ethics, and social responsibility. Our products are created in an environment that respects both the individual artisan and the planet.

Proactive Health and Safety:

We believe that trust in the kitchen starts with tools you can trust. We’ve set a new standard for purity by developing products that are unequivocally safe for food contact, free from harmful chemicals, and subjected to the most rigorous safety testing.

Coatings developed for safe cooking

Korean KFCC Ceramic Coating: A New Standard for Non-Stick

We've engineered our surfaces from the ground up to provide you with effortless security.

Our high-performance ceramic surface comes from leading Korean tech manufacturer KFCC, is mineral-based and entirely non-toxic – your guarantee that only pure and healthy ingredients go into your dish.

The surface is 100% free of PFAS (including substances like PFOA and PTFE), lead and cadmium. The inactive surface does not release harmful chemicals even with accidental overheating – a safety promise verified by the strictest German LFGB test protocols.

We offer two different surfaces based on this advanced Korean technology:

Ceramic
A completely smooth, PFAS-free KFCC non-stick surface, ideal for delicate foods.

Hybrid
A unique combination of PFAS-free KFCC ceramic and a raised stainless steel mesh, designed for safe use with metal utensils.

Japanese TOMATEC Enamel: Built for Longevity

For our enameled cookware, we use a specially developed enamel from the leading Japanese specialist, Tomatec. A protective layer of glass is permanently fused with the iron, creating a seamless and extremely durable surface that honors Japanese craftsmanship.

The enamel is completely non-toxic and 100% free of PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead, and cadmium. Being non-reactive, it consistently preserves the pure taste of food. It is also resistant to discoloration and oven-safe up to 260 °C.

The enamel is available in two specialized variants:

3-ply matte enamel:
Engineered for a superior crust when roasting. The micro-structured surface promotes browning and caramelisation.

4-layer high-gloss enamel:
An extremely smooth surface that allows food to detach easily and is easy to clean – ideal for braised dishes.

Metal: From Raw Material to Tool

3-ply construction

The outstanding performance of our pans and pots is based on a 2.5 mm thick 3-ply construction. Three different layers of metal are pressed into a highly efficient material with sealed edges. The result is a durable tool that responds instantly to changes in temperature.

Inner Layer (SS304 Stainless Steel):

The cooking surface is made of SS304 stainless steel, a premium quality chosen for its absolute purity and stability. The composition of 18% chrome and 8% nickel creates a neutral, non-porous surface that neither reacts with acidic ingredients nor imparts flavor, ensuring the pure taste of the food is always preserved. The surface is also wear-resistant and resistant to scratches and stains, making it durable and hygienic.

Core (100% recycled aluminum):

At its core is the responsive engine of our pans and pots – a thick layer of 100% recycled 1050 aluminum. The exceptionally high thermal conductivity of the material is crucial for its performance, as heat is distributed quickly and evenly from the base to the rim. This eliminates "hot spots" and provides you with precise temperature control and instant responsiveness, guaranteeing perfect heat distribution.

Outer layer (SS430 stainless steel):

The exterior forms a robust foundation and is made of SS430 stainless steel. The steel's magnetic structure is designed to work on all heat sources, especially under the high demands of induction. Its resilient nature resists deformation and corrosion, and the polished surface ensures a durable, beautiful, and easy-to-maintain finish.

Cast Iron: A Master of Heat Retention

Our cast iron is made from HT150, a special grade of gray cast iron chosen for its outstanding thermal properties and durability that lasts for generations. Its unique microstructure, rich in graphite flakes, is the secret to its performance. This composition acts like a thermal battery, absorbing and storing a tremendous amount of heat, only to release it powerfully and evenly. This ensures superior browning, as the surface does not cool down when food is added.

Graphite also creates a micro-textured surface that is ideal for building up a natural non-stick coating – a so-called patina – which improves with every use. The combination of high heat retention, a self-renewing surface, and robust durability makes it the ultimate tool for developing deep, rich flavors.

Japanese Special Steel in the Shojin Series

The quality of a knife is defined by its steel. For our Shojin knife series, we exclusively use renowned Japanese specialty steel, selected for its technical superiority. Hardness, measured in HRC (Rockwell), is a decisive parameter for a knife's performance and its ability to stay sharp for a long time.

SG2 Powder Steel (HRC ≈ 64):

SG2 is a technologically advanced powdered steel that offers maximum cutting performance and an exceptional hardness of approx. 64 HRC. The steel used in our Shojin Kashi series was developed by Takefu Special Steel and produced using an advanced powder metallurgical process. This creates an extremely fine-grained and pure microstructure, which guarantees a microscopically fine and wear-resistant cutting edge that retains its sharpness even with professional use.

VG-10 (HRC ≈ 62):

VG-10 is a high-performance stainless steel that offers an optimized balance of long-lasting sharpness and chip resistance. Developed by Takefu Special Steel, the steel achieves a hardness of approximately 62 HRC, while a high cobalt content increases the steel's toughness. Combined with high corrosion resistance, VG-10 is a reliable material designed for demanding everyday kitchen use and forms the core of our Shojin Taru and Shojin Kaku knives.

High-carbon steel

10Cr15CoMoV (HRC ≈ 62):

A modern, high-carbon, cobalt-alloyed high-performance steel, developed to deliver elite-level results. Its precisely balanced chemical composition, rich in carbon and reinforced with cobalt, allows for high hardness through controlled heat treatment. The result is a blade with exceptional and long-lasting sharpness, as well as the necessary toughness for professional culinary tasks. This steel forms the heart of our 67-layer Damascus Shojin Suna and 3-layer Shojin Aira knives, ensuring a top-class cutting experience.

5Cr15MoV (HRC ≈ 56):

5Cr15MoV is the reliable workhorse steel of our Classic series – a steel that prioritizes wear resistance and durability in a busy kitchen. Its composition with moderate carbon content and high chromium content is designed to be exceptionally robust and chip-resistant. This creates a "forgiving" and reliable blade that can withstand the demanding environment of a busy kitchen. The steel offers excellent corrosion resistance to daily moisture and acidity and is exceptionally easy to maintain, allowing anyone to effortlessly restore a perfect edge.

FSC®-certified wood: A conscious choice of material

Wood is a central element of our design philosophy, connecting our tools with nature and imparting unique warmth and tactile quality. In line with our principle of uncompromising material integrity, all wood we use is exclusively FSC®-certified – your guarantee of responsible sourcing. Each wood species is carefully selected for its unique properties, which you can learn more about below.

Oak

Oak is a classic hardwood, chosen for its distinctive straight grain and exceptional durability. The strength and density of the wood provide excellent balance for knife handles, as well as a pleasant weight for tools and cutting boards. All our oak wood is FSC® certified. We use the species Quercus alba, specifically selected from North American forests.

Produkt anvendelser:

Uses: Knife handles (Shojin Kashi, Shojin Kaku), magnetic knife holders, tool handles, wooden utensils and cutting boards.

Walnut

Walnut is a coveted hardwood species, valued for its deep, rich color and elegant grain patterns, which give it a sophisticated appearance. The wood is both strong and relatively light, making it ideal for exclusive applications. All our walnut wood is FSC® certified. The species used is Juglans neotropica, specially selected from South America.

Produkt anvendelser:

Uses: Knife handles (Shojin Kashi, Shojin Kaku), magnetic knife holders, tool handles, wooden utensils, and cutting boards.

Bamboo

Bamboo, technically a type of grass, is a fast-growing and renewable resource, valued for its strength, light weight, and natural moisture resistance. Its dense structure makes it an excellent choice for cutting boards and kitchen utensils. All our bamboo is FSC® certified. We use bamboo of the genus Bambusa, specifically selected from China.

Produkt anvendelser:

Usage: Magnetic knife holders, sharpening stone bases, 6-piece kitchen utensil set, and cutting boards.

Rubber tree

Rubberwood is a durable and eco-friendly hardwood sourced from plantation trees that have completed their latex production cycle. The wood has a dense, compact grain and is known for its high stability. The rubberwood we use for our cutting boards comes from FSC-certified sources. We use the species Hevea brasiliensis, specifically selected from Malaysia.

Produkt anvendelser:

Usage: End-grain cutting boards.

Acacia

Acacia is a robust hardwood species known for its rich, contrasting colors and natural water-repellent properties. The innate durability of the wood makes it an excellent material for cutting boards that need to withstand daily use. The acacia wood we use for our cutting boards comes from FSC-certified sources. The species used is Acacia mangium.

Produkt anvendelser:

Usage: End-grain cutting boards.

Speckled Maple

Spalted maple is a strong, pale hardwood that develops a unique pattern through a natural process called "spalting." This process occurs when microorganisms draw fine, dark "zone lines" through the wood, making each piece unique. All our spalted maple is FSC® certified, and its rarity and beauty make it ideal for the handle of a collector's knife.

Produkt anvendelser:

Use: Handle of our flagship collector's knife, Shojin Akari.

Stabilized wood

Pakkawood is a durable composite material made from thin layers of FSC®-certified wood veneers, pressed together under high pressure with resin. This process creates a material that combines the warmth and aesthetics of natural wood with superior water resistance and the strength of a modern composite, making it ideal for high-performance knife handles.

Produkt anvendelser:

Use: Handles of our Shojin Suna, Taru and Aira knives.

Oak

Oak is a classic hardwood, chosen for its distinctive straight grain and exceptional durability. The strength and density of the wood provide excellent balance for knife handles, as well as a pleasant weight for tools and cutting boards. All our oak wood is FSC® certified. We use the species Quercus alba, specifically selected from North American forests.

Produkt anvendelser:

Uses: Knife handles (Shojin Kashi, Shojin Kaku), magnetic knife holders, tool handles, wooden utensils and cutting boards.
Walnut

Walnut is a coveted hardwood species, valued for its deep, rich color and elegant grain patterns, which give it a sophisticated appearance. The wood is both strong and relatively light, making it ideal for exclusive applications. All our walnut wood is FSC® certified. The species used is Juglans neotropica, specially selected from South America.

Produkt anvendelser:

Uses: Knife handles (Shojin Kashi, Shojin Kaku), magnetic knife holders, tool handles, wooden utensils, and cutting boards.
Bamboo

Bamboo, technically a type of grass, is a fast-growing and renewable resource, valued for its strength, light weight, and natural moisture resistance. Its dense structure makes it an excellent choice for cutting boards and kitchen utensils. All our bamboo is FSC® certified. We use bamboo of the genus Bambusa, specifically selected from China.

Produkt anvendelser:

Usage: Magnetic knife holders, sharpening stone bases, 6-piece kitchen utensil set, and cutting boards.
Rubber tree

Rubberwood is a durable and eco-friendly hardwood sourced from plantation trees that have completed their latex production cycle. The wood has a dense, compact grain and is known for its high stability. The rubberwood we use for our cutting boards comes from FSC-certified sources. We use the species Hevea brasiliensis, specifically selected from Malaysia.

Produkt anvendelser:

Usage: End-grain cutting boards.
Acacia

Acacia is a robust hardwood species known for its rich, contrasting colors and natural water-repellent properties. The innate durability of the wood makes it an excellent material for cutting boards that need to withstand daily use. The acacia wood we use for our cutting boards comes from FSC-certified sources. The species used is Acacia mangium.

Produkt anvendelser:

Usage: End-grain cutting boards.
Speckled Maple

Spalted maple is a strong, pale hardwood that develops a unique pattern through a natural process called "spalting." This process occurs when microorganisms draw fine, dark "zone lines" through the wood, making each piece unique. All our spalted maple is FSC® certified, and its rarity and beauty make it ideal for the handle of a collector's knife.

Produkt anvendelser:

Use: Handle of our flagship collector's knife, Shojin Akari.
Stabilized wood

Pakkawood is a durable composite material made from thin layers of FSC®-certified wood veneers, pressed together under high pressure with resin. This process creates a material that combines the warmth and aesthetics of natural wood with superior water resistance and the strength of a modern composite, making it ideal for high-performance knife handles.

Produkt anvendelser:

Use: Handles of our Shojin Suna, Taru and Aira knives.

Created for a life in balance

Cooking starts with peace of mind, high-quality ingredients, and tools that feel right in your hand. At Viretta, we unite form and function in a modern Nordic expression – created for you, who sees the kitchen as a place for both presence and inspiration.

Discover the philosophy behind it