Carving the future
January 24, 2025
![Zanat Zanat](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/styles/page_hero_full_mobile/public/2025-01/drr_tmbn_36.jpg?h=ae35f55a&itok=Ymyjco2g)
Carving the future
A combination of tradition and innovation for a sustainable future
In the heart of Konjic, a city known for its rich tradition of wood carving, is ZANAT - a private company that is an example of sustainability, energy efficiency and innovation. ZANAT, the award-winning Bosnian brand, is not only a place to admire the art of woodcarving, but an example of the fusion of tradition and modern technology.
![Konjic Konjic](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2025-01/dji_0366.jpg)
Konjic
The vision of the owners, brothers Orhan and Adem Nikšić, for ZANAT goes beyond making beautiful wooden products. Their commitment rests on the belief that sustainability must be at the heart of production. That belief has fueled significant efforts to reduce ZANAT's carbon footprint, through increasing energy efficiency, using renewable energy sources and reducing CO2 emissions.
![Zanat Zanat fabrika](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2025-01/dji_0361.jpg)
Factory
The ZANAT factory meets 70% of its energy needs through solar panels installed on the building. However, despite the capacity to produce surplus electricity, ZANAT cannot currently sell that surplus due to the law that was adopted in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but has not yet been implemented.
“We are waiting for the law to be implemented so that we can become prosumers,” says Orhan Nikšić, one of the company’s owners. “That way, any excess electricity we produce can be fed back into the grid, reducing our reliance on external sources and minimizing energy loss.”
![Zanat Orhan Niksic](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/styles/page_hero_full_mobile/public/2025-01/adb03019.jpg?h=a49d782d&itok=bOZmDRy_)
“We are waiting for the law to be implemented so that we can become prosumers.”
Despite these regulatory challenges, Orhan remains optimistic about the future and the positive impact of their initiatives on the environment. ZANAT's investment in solar energy, supported by a Union Bank credit line, has already yielded promising results. The return on investment is expected within seven years, and this will be further reduced thanks to a loan interest subsidy through the UNDP BiH Green Economic Development project - funded by Sweden. In addition to solar panels, this credit line has also enabled the installation of LED lighting in the factory's production areas, thereby increasing overall energy efficiency.
![Zanat Adem Niksic](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/styles/image_carousel_mobile/public/2025-01/adb03083.jpg?itok=GDrcGxlO)
![Zanat Adem Niksic](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/styles/image_carousel_mobile/public/2025-01/adb03049.jpg?itok=qyznjAHU)
![Zanat Zanat](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/styles/image_carousel_mobile/public/2025-01/adb03066.jpg?itok=kTjXpuac)
![Zanat Zanat](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/styles/image_carousel_mobile/public/2025-01/adb03065.jpg?itok=ckQMYcYS)
![Zanat Zanat](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/styles/image_carousel_mobile/public/2025-01/adb03056.jpg?itok=_cLGw5ow)
![Zanat Zanat](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/styles/image_carousel_mobile/public/2025-01/adb03047.jpg?itok=NyNN68fc)
![Zanat Zanat](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/styles/image_carousel_mobile/public/2025-01/adb03029.jpg?itok=Q_yuUJby)
ZANAT's The initiatives not only reduce pressure on the energy grid, but also serve as a model of sustainable business practices. With future plans for additional investments in the construction of a solar power plant, ZANAT – together with its local manufacturing partners in Konjic – is ready to take its energy efficiency to an even higher level.
Commitment to sustainability goes beyond energy efficiency -
“We are proud to have achieved zero carbon emissions in our production processes amount of waste. We do not use Styrofoam or unnecessary packaging; instead, we use recycled and biodegradable materials,”
explains Orhan Nikšić.
![Zanat Zanat](/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2025-01/adb03078.jpg)
Carving
The story of ZANAT is one of merging heritage with innovation, proving that sustainable business practices are not only achievable, but also economically viable. By prioritizing sustainability, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources, ZANAT is not only preserving the heritage of woodcarving, but also paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future for Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the right support from government institutions and investment, businesses across BiH can follow suit, accelerating the transition to low-carbon economy.