Top 10 Nanocellulose Companies in the World

The global nanocellulose market size reached US$ 574.7 Million in 2023. The market is primarily driven by the increasing nanocellulose applications in the paper and packaging, healthcare, and cosmetics industries. Moreover, the shifting inclination toward bio-based products has augmented the demand for environment-friendly materials like nanocellulose. Besides this, the imposition of stringent policies by governments of several nations banning non-biodegradable packaging like single-use plastics is contributing to the growing popularity of nanocellulose as a biodegradable and non-toxic alternative to plastic packaging. This, coupled with the escalating adoption of lightweight and flexible packaging solutions, rising product use in biomedicines and personal hygiene items, and emerging composites applications of nanocellulose, is also propelling the market growth. 

As per the analysis by IMARC Group, the top nanocellulose companies are focusing on expanding their offerings by launching novel product variants to attract a broader customer base. They are also making heavy investments in increasing their existing production capacities to capitalize on the extensive applicability of nanocellulose while catering to its escalating demand from numerous industries. Furthermore, the leading players are engaging in mergers and acquisitions and strategic collaborations to widen their geographical reach, improve profitability, and strengthen their position in the market. In addition, ongoing research and development (R&D) activities, continual product innovations, and recent technological advancements in the manufacturing of nanocellulose with higher paper machine efficiency and enhanced filler content are some of the other factors creating a positive market outlook. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 2,479.8 Million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 17.11% during 2024-2032.

Learn about opportunities, challenges, and trends in the global Nanocellulose market with IMARC’s market research report. Try a free sample today!

List of Top Companies Operating in the Nanocellulose Industry

The global nanocellulose market has several major players, including Borregaard AS, Cellucomp Ltd, CelluForce, FiberLean Technologies Ltd, GranBio Technologies, Kruger Inc., Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Oji Holdings Corporation, Sappi Ltd, and Stora Enso Oyj. More information about these companies has been provided below. 

1. Borregaard AS 

Borregaard AS manufactures advanced and environmentally friendly biochemicals, biomaterials, and bioethanol that can replace oil-based products. The company mainly operates via three business segments: BioSolutions, BioMaterials, and Fine Chemicals. While the BioSolutions unit develops, produces, and sells biopolymers and biovanillin to flavor, fragrance, and food and beverage companies, the BioMaterials segment develops, manufactures, and supplies specialty cellulose and cellulose fibrils. On the other hand, its Fine Chemicals business comprises second-generation bioethanol and fine chemical intermediates for contrast agents. Its extensive product portfolio includes Lignin, Speciality Cellulose, Cellulose Fibrils, Biovanillin, and Bioethanol. Under Speciality Cellulose, the company offers a broad range of high-purity specialty cellulose products and grades. At present, Borregaard owns and operates the world’s most advanced biorefinery and employs 1100 people in factories and sales offices in over 16 countries throughout Europe, the USA, Asia, and Africa.

2. Cellucomp Ltd. 

Cellucomp Ltd is a new and dynamic Scotland-based material science company focused on manufacturing high-tech products from sustainable sources. It is mainly engaged in the development and commercialization of sustainable materials. Its main product is Curran®, a material produced from the extraction of nanocellulose fibers of root vegetables, including sugar beets and carrots. This material can improve products in sporting goods, construction, paints & coatings, cosmetics, automobile, marine, and other potential applications. The company serves customers globally and produces Curran® in its new and advanced manufacturing facility in Glenrothes, Scotland, where it ensures top-quality products.

3. CelluForce 

CelluForce is a global leader in the commercial production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), a new and advanced biomaterial made from wood. The company develops and commercializes a family of CNC products under the brand name CelluForce NCC®. It mainly serves oil and gas, adhesives, paper and non-wovens, cement, plastics and composites, paints and coatings, personal care, health care, food and beverages, and electronics markets. With a manufacturing capacity of 300 tonnes per year of CNC, CelluForce operates the world’s largest CNC plant. 

4. FiberLean Technologies GmbH

FiberLean Technologies GmbH is a leading global producer of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and is part of the Werhahn KG group. It is also a pioneer in the commercialization of MFC on an industrial scale. It offers solutions and technology for paper and packaging companies and is also developing businesses in the building materials and food industries. The company has a portfolio of over 650 granted patents worldwide, covering the best-in-class MFC products for applications in the paper and board, pulp, construction, and agriculture sectors. Besides this, FiberLean owns and operates a research and development (R&D) center in Cornwall, UK, with state-of-the-art laboratories and an experienced team of scientists and engineers.

5. GranBio Technologies 

GranBio Technologies is a leading cleantech company and a pioneer in green technologies focused on reversing global warming to help make the world safer. It is mainly involved in creating and developing biotechnologies to produce zero-emission biofuels and biochemicals. It owns and operates its proprietary flexible biorefineries. One of the core business focuses of GranBio is SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), made from biomass and syngas. The company operates via three business units: BioEdge, GRANBIOTECH, and BioPlus. Under the BioPlus segment, GranBio develops and licenses its nanocellulose technologies. Its patented nanocellulose types have been tested and prototyped in various renewable composites in plastics, cement, rubber, medical tissue, paperboard, solvents, cosmetics, and as fluid for fracking.

6. Kruger Inc.

Kruger Inc. is a privately held fourth-generation family company that converts renewable resources into sustainable, high-quality essentials for everyday life. It offers a wide range of paper-based products, including specialty and publication papers. It also holds a strong position in the pulp and paper, containerboard, and packaging industries across the globe. Besides this, it is now active in green energy, tissue products, recycling, and biomaterials sectors. As a constantly innovating company, it has developed a revolutionary bio-based material FiloCell™ with unique performance-enhancing properties. In addition to its production facilities across Canada and the United States, Kruger owns and operates a portfolio of 42 green energy power plants and is a North American leader in paper and paperboard recycling.

7. Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.

Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd. is a leading Japanese corporation that specializes in the manufacturing of paper and forest products. It primarily operates through seven business segments, namely paper, paper-pak, chemicals, energy, agriculture, forest products and building materials, and cellulose nanofiber. The company has a diversified product portfolio comprising newsprint, printing and writing, business communication, wrapping, converting, and functional specialty paper, linerboard and corrugated medium, paperboard, paper packs, cellulose nanofiber, household and professional paper products, healthcare, the paper-based barrier material SHIELDPLUS, paper straw, kitchen products, pulp, chemicals, agriculture, energy, CfFA® concrete admixture, and logs and lumber & building materials.

8. Oji Holdings Corporation 

Oji Holdings Corporation is a Japanese pulp and paper company that manufactures a wide array of paper and forest products. However, the Group has now diversified its business domains, exceeding that of paper manufacturing. Its main lines of business include industrial materials, household and consumer products, functional materials, forest resources and environment marketing, printing and communications media, and corporate management group and shared service companies. Its extensive product portfolio consists of containerboard and corrugated containers, folding cartons, paper bags, tissue, paper diapers, wet wipes, specialty and thermal paper, adhesive products, film, pulp, energy, plantation service and lumber processing, newsprint, printing, publication, and communications paper, and real estate, engineering, trading business, and logistics. Besides this, Oji produces a lineup of phosphorylated cellulose nanofibers (CNF), including transparent CNF slurry called AUROVISCO, coarse CNF slurry, CNF powder, and various types of CNF sheet, namely AUROVEIL, AUROVEIL 3D, and AUROVEIL WP. 

9. Sappi Ltd

Sappi Ltd is a global renewable resource company and a leading provider of powerful daily-use materials manufactured using woodfibre sourced from sustainably managed forests and plantations. Its broad product portfolio consists of raw material offerings as well as end-use products. Its main products include dissolving pulp (DP), packaging and specialty papers, graphic papers, casting and release papers, biomaterials, forestry, and bioenergy. Under biomaterials, the company provides Valida nanocellulose, Lignin, Sappi Symbio, Furfural, and sweeteners. Valida nanocellulose is produced from sustainable cellulose fiber and helps impart enhanced performance characteristics, such as reinforcement and stabilization. Currently, Sappi employs more than 12,800 people in over 35 countries globally and has manufacturing operations on three continents, with ten production facilities in Western Europe, four in North America, and five in Southern Africa.

10. Stora Enso Oyj

Stora Enso Oyj is a leading renewable materials company and one of the largest private forest owners in the world. It develops and produces low-carbon, recyclable, and renewable fiber-based products for various industries and applications, including packaging, biomaterials, paper, and wooden construction. The company has a broad product portfolio comprising bio-based materials, biocomposites, bio-based chemicals, corrugated packaging solutions, lignin, formed fiber, market pulp, mass timber construction, paper, paperboard materials, pellets, specialty paper, and wood products. In addition, it offers a wide range of biomaterials, including Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) for packaging, FuraCore, Lignode, NeoFiber, NeoLigno, and Papira. As of now, Stora Enso has over 21,000 employees and generated sales of EUR 11.7 billion in 2022.

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