Stora Enso and Rennovia enter joint technology development and license agreement for bio-based chemicals

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will cooperate to develop processes for bio-based chemicals of interest to Stora Enso, employing Rennovia’s high-throughput catalyst discovery infrastructure and process development expertise.

As Stora Enso is targeting new markets and developing novel products as it transforms into a renewable materials company, the agreement is a logical step for the company, according to Juan Carlos Bueno, its Biomaterials division executive vice president. ‘The joint development and technology agreement will accelerate some of the developments Stora Enso is working on and gives us a solid platform to move further in building a portfolio of sustainable bio-based solutions for our customers.’

Stora Enso’s Biomaterials division is a provider of pulp grades to meet the demands of various paper, board and tissue producers. The offering also includes fluff for hygiene applications and dissolving pulp for the textile industry. The mission of the Biomaterials division is to find new, innovative ways to maximize the value extractable from wood, as well as other kind of ligno-cellulosic biomasses. Rennovia is a chemical process technology development company focused on the creation of novel processes for the cost advantaged production of commodity and specialty chemicals from renewable feedstocks.

Robert Wedinger, president and CEO of Rennovia, added: ‘This agreement underscores the broad applicability of Rennovia’s catalytic technologies to the production of a wide range of bio-based chemical products. We are delighted that Stora Enso recognizes our catalyst and process technologies as an efficient, cost-effective platform for producing bio-based chemicals.’