Nordic Bioproducts Group opens its first production facility

Nordic Bioproduct’s commercial-scale manufacturing site  is expected to create €40m  in revenue in the first full operating year. In Lappeenranta, the company will produc  microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and other cellulose derivatives. This first-of-its-kind facility represents a significant leap in manufacturing and enabling continuous and sustainable production at scale. 

Whie the world’s first continuous production will provideup to 10,000 tons of microcrystalline cellulose per year, it wiill be producing zero solid waste and using only a fraction of the chemicals, water, and electricity compared to traditional production processes. Furthermore, based on the findings of an independent third-party study, the process achieves a significant 72% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional methods.

Microcrystalline cellulose and other cellulose derivatives are valuable ingredients utilized across diverse industries. Moreover, the use of cellulosic materials fosters environmental sustainability by replacing non-sustainable and potentially harmful substances in a range of applications such as bioplastics, concrete, paints, textiles, glues, and insulation. 

As the purest and most versatile form of cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose has been used in a range of industries for decades – from pharmaceuticals and food supplements to food ingredients, cosmetics, and skincare. The global demand for it is high, and the market is projected to grow by exponentially by 2030. 

Lappeenranta was chosen as the location due to its closeness to six existing pulp manufacturing plants, local supply, and short access to seaports, ensuring supply chain security. Additionally, all ingredients come from FSC-certified, traceable, sustainably managed forests. 

The first production phase started in March 2024, and now, the factory is gearing up to its full production capacity of up to 10,000 tons of annually. The factory is expected totriple the revenue in the following three years. The new factory employs 20 people and Nordic Bioproduct Group intends to double that number in the near future. 

Building on existing partnerships with Asian corporations Marubeni and Thailand’s PTT MCC, Nordic Bioproducts Group is poised to welcome clients from various industries and countries. A spinoff from Aalto University, Nordic Bioproducts Group was founded in 2019 by Professor Olli Dahl and then Senior Commercial Officer Olli Kähkönen in cooperation with the Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering.