Futurity Bio-Ventures
Futurity Bio-Ventures is a New Zealand private company that develops lignin-based renewable chemicals and materials from plantation forestry by-products, selling proprietary LIGNO™ and LIMA™ products to enterprise customers in construction, infrastructure, packaging, cosmetics, and textiles via direct B2B sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersGisborne, New Zealand
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Futurity Bio-Ventures does
Futurity Bio-Ventures (legally Futurity Group Limited, New Zealand company #6824594) is a private, Gisborne-based renewable chemicals company founded in 2017 that converts lignin from New Zealand P. radiata plantation forestry and pulp-and-paper by-products into petrochemical-replacement intermediates. Its technology platform centres on the METNIN® enzymatic fractionation process licensed from Finland's MetGen Oy in 2022, combined with in-house proprietary lignin formulations marketed under the LIGNO™ and LIMA™ trade names. The LIGNO™ family spans LIGNO™ 100 (intermediate-molecular-weight lignin), lignin-based phenolics for adhesives and wood products (LVL, MDF, plywood), lignin-based polyols for polyurethane foams, and UV adsorbent additives for textiles and cosmetics; LIMA™ and LIMA™ Plus are lignin-based asphalt binder additives that can substitute up to 30% of bitumen. METNIN® SHIELD is a validated paper additive that delivers a 33% compression-strength increase and 70% reduction in Cobb values, with FDA/EU food-contact and re-pulpability certifications.
The company operates a direct, enterprise-focused B2B sales motion targeting industrial buyers across construction and infrastructure, packaging, cosmetics and textiles, and pulp and paper. Distribution relies on field sales, sample-based technical engagement, and licence-driven commercial arrangements, with no published pricing and all commercial enquiries funnelled through website forms or direct email. Revenue-generating streams include proprietary product sales of LIGNO™ grades and LIMA™ additives, supplemented by potential licensing and operating income from METNIN®-enabled lignin-centric biorefineries.
Futurity is pre-commercial at scale, with a team of fewer than 10 staff focused on R&D and pilot activity. Total disclosed funding to date is approximately NZ$274,000 in non-dilutive grants (Callaghan Innovation and an MBIE PreSeed Accelerator Fund award, the latter co-funded with Scion Research and Trust Tairāwhiti). Four large-scale trials have been completed using local feedstock and global partners, and the company is working toward the first advanced biorefinery in Australasia, planned for the Tairāwhiti Gisborne region. The firm is advised by Dr. Sean Simpson, founder of LanzaTech and LanzaJet (LanzaJet valued above US$1 billion), signaling credible clean-tech commercialisation expertise backing the scaling plan.
Futurity Bio-Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Futurity Bio-Ventures
- Legal name
- Futurity Group Limited
- Website
- https://futuritybioventures.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Futurity Bio-Ventures is a New Zealand private company that develops lignin-based renewable chemicals and materials from plantation forestry by-products, selling proprietary LIGNO™ and LIMA™ products to enterprise customers in construction, infrastructure, packaging, cosmetics, and textiles via direct B2B sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Futurity Bio-Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Renewable Chemicals & Bio-based Materials
- NAICS
- Cyclic Crude, Intermediate, and Gum and Wood Chemical Manufacturing (325194), Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing (325211), Chemical Manufacturing (325)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biochemicals & Bio-based Platform Chemicals (cellulose sugars, lignin derivatives, organic acids) (IMAMALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Lignin-based Materials & Carbon Products (binders, resins, carbon fiber/activated carbon) (IMAMALAE), Bio-based Adhesives, Coatings & Sealants (lignin/tannin/soy-based) (IMAMALAG), Bio-based Resins, Adhesives, Coatings & Sealants (EUAAAIAG), Bio-based Polymers & Resins (PLA, PHA, bio-PE, bio-PET, cellulose acetate) (IMAMALAC), Biorefinery Technology & Contract Processing (fractionation, tolling, scale-up) (IMAMALAL), Bio-based Materials & Fibers (e.g., cellulose derivatives, lignin-based materials, nanocellulose) (EUAAAIAD)
Keywords
Where Futurity Bio-Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gisborne
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Futurity Bio-Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Renewable Chemical Products Sales: Futurity generates revenue through the sale of proprietary lignin-based products including LIGNO™ grades (LIGNO™ 100) and LIMA™ asphalt additives. Products target industrial customers in construction, infrastructure, packaging, cosmetics, and textiles markets.
- Technology Licensing: Through the METNIN® technology license agreement with MetGen Oy, Futurity can build and operate lignin-centric biorefineries in New Zealand, potentially generating licensing and operational revenue from biorefinery operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | B2B direct engagement for product samples and commercial orders |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Futurity Bio-Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Futurity Bio-Ventures develops and sells a portfolio of lignin-based renewable chemicals and materials derived from New Zealand plantation forestry and pulp/paper by-products. The company's product range includes LIGNO™ lignin grades (LIGNO™ 100, Phenolics, Polyurethanes, UV Additives), LIMA™ asphalt binder additives (including LIMA™ Plus), and METNIN™ SHIELD paper additive, sold to industrial customers in construction, infrastructure, packaging, cosmetics, and textiles as alternatives to fossil-based petrochemicals.
Product overview
Futurity Bio-Ventures offers a portfolio of lignin-based renewable chemical products centered on LIGNO™ (lignin grades) and LIMA™ (asphalt binder additives). LIGNO™ encompasses sub-products including LIGNO™ 100, Phenolics, Polyurethanes, and UV Additives targeting applications in wood products, foams, adhesives, coatings, textiles, cosmetics, and electronics. LIMA™ products (including LIMA™ Plus) serve the asphalt surfacing market. METNIN™ SHIELD addresses paper/packaging applications. The company operates as a unified platform developing renewable materials from specialty cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin sourced from New Zealand plantation forestry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LIGNO™: Trade name for a range of lignin grades produced from waste wood sourced from New Zealand's plantation forestry and pulp/paper by-products. Includes LIGNO™ 100 (intermediate molecular weight) for phenolics, polyurethanes, and UV additives.
- LIMA™
- METNIN® SHIELD
Products and services
- LIGNO™ 100
Quantifiable outcome
- UPF improvements of over 700%, reaching UPF factors of 50+ on treated textiles
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Futurity Bio-Ventures
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Futurity Bio-Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Futurity Bio-Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MetGen OycoreMetGen Oy (Finland) is a world-leading supplier of commercial enzymes and associated enzyme-based processes. Futurity signed a technology license agreement enabling them to build and operate lignin-centric biorefineries using METNIN® Technologies in New Zealand. The collaboration aims for products that are better and more affordable than fossil-based alternatives.
- Callaghan InnovationcoreNew Zealand's innovation agency providing grant funding and R&D support. Presented Futurity in the Business is Boring podcast association. Works with innovators and entrepreneurs to accelerate commercialisation.
- Scion ResearchcoreCrown Research Institute focused on forestry and forestry products. Natural alignment with Futurity with shared ambition to establish advanced Biorefining for New Zealand. Co-funded the MBIE PSAF project with FBV and Trust Tairāwhiti.
- NZTE (New Zealand Trade & Enterprise)coreNew Zealand Government entity providing support to align investors throughout development stages. Provides assistance with intellectual property development and engineering evaluation through targeted grants.
- Dr. Sean SimpsoncoreAdvisory board member. Founder of LanzaTech and LanzaJet (valued at over US$1b). Provides expertise in startup, scale-up, and commercial development of clean-tech ventures with over 10 years of experience.
- Matanuku MahuikacoreAdvisory board member with significant governance experience. Currently chair of Eastland Generation (renewable energy developer jointly owned with Obayashi Corporation). Experience spans fisheries, agribusiness, investment, infrastructure and Māori economic development.
- Richard MehrtensminorAdvisory board member and Managing Director of GLOBALEAGLE. Over 35 years of experience in legal, investment banking, strategy/structuring, and governance roles. Ex-partner of Russell McVeagh, chairman of AJ Hackett Bungy NZ.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Futurity Bio-Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Domtar (BioChoice): Domtar is a major North American pulp and paper company that produces BioChoice™ lignin from its Plymouth NC biorefinery. It sells lignin into agricultural, industrial, and specialty applications and represents an established commercial-scale lignin supplier in the same product category as Futurity.
- Borregaard: Borregaard is the world's leading commercial producer of lignin-based products (lignosulfonates and specialty lignins), operating the Sarpsborg biorefinery in Norway. It sells bio-based specialty chemicals into construction, agriculture, and industrial applications - the same end-markets Futurity targets - but at much larger scale and with an established global customer base.
- Stora Enso: Stora Enso is one of the largest private forest owners globally and produces lignin (Lineo®) from its Sunila mill in Finland for use as a phenol replacement in phenolic resins and foams. Stora Enso's Lineo lignin competes head-to-head with Futurity's LIGNO™ 100 phenolics application.
- UPM Biochemicals: UPM Biochemicals produces renewable mono-propylene glycol, lignin-based renewable fillers, and biochemicals from forest biomass at commercial scale in Finland and Germany. It is a major forest-industry incumbent developing lignin applications for resins, coatings, and plastics - directly overlapping with Futurity's LIGNO™ phenolics and polyurethanes roadmap.
- Suzano: Suzano is the world's largest eucalyptus pulp producer and is actively developing lignin-based products (Eucalig™) from its Brazilian operations for use in phenolic resins, foams, and biopolymers. It is a global forest-products incumbent with deep R&D capability directly comparable to Futurity's LIGNO™ platform.
Emerging players
- Renmatix: Renmatix is a US-based technology company that converts plant-based biomass into sustainable chemical building blocks using supercritical hydrolysis. It targets renewable chemicals and materials from non-food biomass, overlapping with Futurity's mission of replacing fossil-derived inputs with renewable alternatives.
- Bloom Biorenewables: Bloom Biorenewables is a Switzerland-based startup developing bio-based polymers and materials from lignocellulosic biomass, including alternatives to phenol-formaldehyde resins and high-performance aromatic polymers. It targets similar end-applications (adhesives, foams, coatings) and is at a comparable early-commercial stage to Futurity.
- Anomera: Anomera is a Canadian biomaterials company producing cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from forest biomass for cosmetics, electronics, and industrial applications. It shares Futurity's model of converting forestry by-products into high-value specialty materials, though using a different (cellulosic) fraction of the biomass.
Direct peers
- MetGen Oy: MetGen is a Finland-based industrial biotechnology company developing enzyme-based processes including the METNIN® enzymatic lignin fractionation technology that Futurity licenses. It is the direct upstream technology peer and partner; its METNIN platform produces differentiated lignin grades for the same end-applications Futurity targets.
Others
- LanzaTech: LanzaTech is a US-based clean-tech company using gas-fermentation to convert industrial off-gases into ethanol and chemical building blocks. It is not a direct lignin competitor but is thematically related as a renewable-chemicals platform and has direct governance overlap with Futurity through advisory board member Dr. Sean Simpson.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Futurity Bio-Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceFuturity Bio-Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Futurity Bio-Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Futurity Bio-Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Futurity Bio-Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Futurity Bio-Ventures
What does Futurity Bio-Ventures do?
Futurity Bio-Ventures develops and sells a portfolio of lignin-based renewable chemicals and materials derived from New Zealand plantation forestry and pulp/paper by-products. The company's product range includes LIGNO™ lignin grades (LIGNO™ 100, Phenolics, Polyurethanes, UV Additives), LIMA™ asphalt binder additives (including LIMA™ Plus), and METNIN™ SHIELD paper additive, sold to industrial customers in construction, infrastructure, packaging, cosmetics, and textiles as alternatives to fossil-based petrochemicals.
Is Futurity Bio-Ventures a public or private company?
Futurity Bio-Ventures is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Futurity Bio-Ventures founded?
Futurity Bio-Ventures was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Futurity Bio-Ventures based?
Futurity Bio-Ventures is headquartered in Gisborne, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Futurity Bio-Ventures make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Renewable Chemical Products Sales are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing.
Who are Futurity Bio-Ventures's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Domtar (BioChoice), Borregaard, Stora Enso, UPM Biochemicals and Suzano. Emerging players are Renmatix, Bloom Biorenewables and Anomera. MetGen Oy is listed as a direct peer. LanzaTech is listed as an others.
Does Futurity Bio-Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for Futurity Bio-Ventures.
What industry is Futurity Bio-Ventures in?
Futurity Bio-Ventures's product category is Renewable Chemicals & Bio-based Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMALAB, Biochemicals & Bio-based Platform Chemicals (cellulose sugars, lignin derivatives, organic acids), with a secondary code of IMAMALAE, Lignin-based Materials & Carbon Products (binders, resins, carbon fiber/activated carbon). Its NAICS code is 325194 and its SIC code is 2860.