Innventia and BillerudKorsnäs to further nanocellulose development

Nanocellulose can be used as additives in papermaking to make lighter and stronger paper and board. It can also be used in a variety of other applications in the food, pharmaceutical and construction industries.

This means that paper is given completely new properties and could replace plastics, for example, in many areas, so more products could be produced from renewable and biodegradable raw material.

The overall project is financed by Vinnova, Innventia and BillerudKorsnäs.

Since 2010, Innventia has operated a pilot plant for the production of nanocellulose at the research institute in Stockholm. By this establishment, sufficiently large amounts of nanocellulose could be manufactured for research and development addressing paper applications.

A mobile demonstration plant will make it possible to produce nanocellulose on a large scale for use in full-scale trials on paper and board machines.

Mikael Ankerfors, project manager in the New Business Lab at BillerudKorsnäs, said: ‘Nanocellulose has a fantastic potential in paper applications as well is a number of other applications. This new project is exciting as it gives us the possibility to validate the potential in full scale.’

Magnus Wikström, senior vice=president of strategic development at BillerudKorsnäs, said: ‘Innovation is at the core of our business model. To be part of this project and explore the potential of full scale production of nanocellulose is a perfect match with our mission to challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future.’

Anna Wiberg, director of business development, Materials Processes at Innventia, concurs, saying: ‘This is a very important step. The availability of test beds and demonstration plants are often crucial for up-scaling new processes resulting from our research and development.’

‘Thanks to the collaboration with BillerudKorsnäs, the development towards new nanocellulose-based materials can take a leap,’ concludes Torgny Persson, vice-president, Material Processes at Innventia. ‘Later, we will offer more companies access to the demonstration plant as a support in their innovation processes.’