Nordic Bioproducts Group recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Marubeni Corporation, forging a collaborative front in tackling the global challenge of carbon emissions reduction. The focus of their partnership lies in the sustainable utilization of biomass, specifically woody biomass, as a means to decrease reliance on fossil-based resources. Nordic Bioproducts Group brings its innovative AaltoCellTM technology to the table. The collaboration aims to establish a biorefinery business, utilizing this technology to process woody biomass from Marubeni’s plantations in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Covering a substantial project area, approximately 290,000 hectares, the venture signifies a significant, long-term commitment to industrial-scale cooperation between the two companies.
Nordic Bioproducts Group, established in 2019 and headquartered in Espoo, Finland, stands at the forefront of cellulose innovation, bioproduct development, and circular innovations. A spin-off from Aalto University, the company is a pioneering force dedicated to optimizing the use of renewable natural resources while challenging the world’s dependence on fossil-based alternatives. Committed to fostering circular solutions and catalyzing impactful change on a global scale, Nordic Bioproducts Group focuses on the development and commercialization of biomass products and biosystems. Their flagship AaltoCellTM technology, which hydrolyzes lignocellulosic materials to produce high-quality cellulose derivatives, serves as a game-changer in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to foods.
Emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which are the leading contributors to global warming, are a worldwide problem. Fortunately, new technologies and industries are emerging that utilize sustainable woody biomass, known as biorefineries, to manufacture products with a reduced environmental impact.
NBG’s AaltoCellTM is a method used for the hydrolyzation (1) of lignocellulosic materials to produce high-quality cellulose derivatives (2), which are essential for the production of pharmaceuticals and foods. In addition to woody biomass, the technology supports a wide range of cellulose-rich raw materials while promoting sustainable mass production at a lower cost. Moreover, it has environmentally friendly features, such as the ability to use residues generated during the manufacturing process as biofuel and utilizes a smaller carbon footprint method to produce resins and textiles that have traditionally been derived from fossil fuels and chemical intensive processes. As an example, an independent third-party assessment has shown AaltoCellTM’s potential to achieve an 80% reduction in the carbon footprint of the manufacture of cellulose derivatives compared to that of conventional methods.
Marubeni Corporation, founded in 1949 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a well-established conglomerate with a global presence. Engaged in a diverse range of industries, Marubeni’s extensive business activities encompass importing and exporting, domestic business operations, and investments across various sectors. The corporation operates in fields such as lifestyle, IT solutions, food, agribusiness, forest products, chemicals, metals, energy, infrastructure projects, aerospace, finance, leasing, real estate, construction, and industrial machinery.
Marubeni has formulated its “Long-Term Vision for Climate Change” to contribute to mid- to long-term efforts to combat climate change and, as part of this vision, has set a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, Marubeni has been developing industrial afforestation projects for pulp and chips in Indonesia and Australia for several decades and has recently started environmental afforestation projects through reforestation in the Philippines, Malaysia, Angola, and other areas, with the aim of generating carbon credits while contributing to environmental protection and global warming prevention. In Japan, Marubeni is also involved in forest-based J-Credit programs in Akita and Wakayama prefectures.
(1) A component decomposition method where a substance is decomposed through a chemical reaction with water
(2) Substances derived from cellulose that has gone through a chemical reaction
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