Metsä Spring has made its second Swedish investment in FineCell (FineCellOx AB), developer of the FineCell technology and producer of CellOx dry cellulose powder (INCI: Not Provided).
The pulp-based materials are made through FineCell technology, which combines pulp-based cellulose with a natural chemical (oxalic acid found in e.g. rhubarb), producing a new material that can easily be stored in a solid form, yet is often applied in a liquid form, per the company.
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CellOx can easily carry other ingredients and is a good binding agent for products such as sunscreens, skin creams and paints. It is also transparent.
The funds will be used to further develop and plan a demo production facility for the FineCell technology that can turn dry pulp fibre into added-value biomaterial, per the company.
FineCell aims to have the design of its demo plant ready for execution by the end of 2024. The company plans to have larger-scale test production underway during 2025, with full commercial production commencing in 2027.
Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Spring, commnted: “We’ve been following FineCell for some time and are delighted to now be part of their journey. For us, all technologies that convert softwood pulp into added-value products are of interest. This technology and product clearly stand out, making it especially interesting. The FineCell technology is still young. At this stage, we do not yet know all the directions that this platform might take us.”
