What Nordic Bioproducts Group does

Nordic Bioproducts Group Oy is a Finnish biomaterials company founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Aalto University by Professor Olli Dahl and Olli Kähkönen. The company develops and commercializes its patented AaltoCell™ continuous-flow process for hydrolyzing lignocellulosic materials into high-purity microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and cellulose derivatives. AaltoCell is positioned as the world's first commercial continuous MCC production process, claiming up to 81% lower carbon footprint, 95% lower water use, 90% lower energy use, and 69% fewer chemicals versus conventional batch production methods.

The company sells the PURA Series™ family of MCC products — Super Flow (spherical granules for pharma/nutraceuticals), Universal Premium (standard powders), Nordic Beauty (cosmetic ingredients replacing PMMA, nylon, TiO2 and microplastics), and MCC Spheres (pre-commercial microplastic alternative) — together with the Norratex™ technology for sustainable wood-based textile fibers. Production takes place at the EXCiPACT® and ISO 9001:2015-certified Lappeenranta facility with up to 10,000 tons annual capacity (opened April 2024); R&D is conducted at the B.I.G. (Bio Innovation Garage) facility on Aalto University's Otaniemi campus in Espoo.

Nordic Bioproducts Group generates revenue through direct MCC product sales to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, cosmetics, and bioplastic manufacturers, supplemented by licensing of the AaltoCell™ platform to industrial partners (Marubeni in Indonesia, PTT MCC in Thailand) and contract R&D services through B.I.G. Distribution to international customers is conducted both directly and via a Hamburg-based channel partnership with ACT Group signed in February 2026. The company is privately held, with a 20% strategic minority stake held by Japan's Oji Holdings Corporation since January 2026.

Name

Nordic Bioproducts Group

Legal name

Nordic Bioproducts Group Oy

Website

https://nordicbioproducts.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nordic Bioproducts Group is a Finnish biomaterials company that produces sustainable microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) via its patented AaltoCell™ continuous-flow process, selling PURA Series™ ingredients to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, cosmetics, and bioplastic manufacturers from its Lappeenranta facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Cellulose Excipients

NAICS

Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252), Nonwoven Fabric Mills (31323), Textile Product Mills (314)

SIC

Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Man Made Fiber & Silk (2221)

akta.pro primary industry

Nanocellulose & Cellulose Derivatives (CNC/CNF, MCC, ethers/esters) (IMAMALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodegradable Fibers & Nonwovens (industrial textiles, wipes) (IMAEAOAG), Bio-based Textiles & Fibers (lyocell/viscose, cellulose filament, nonwovens) (IMAMALAK), Bio-based Materials & Fibers (e.g., cellulose derivatives, lignin-based materials, nanocellulose) (EUAAAIAD), Cellulose-Based Biodegradable Materials (cellulose films, fibers, derivatives) (IMAEAOAE)

Keywords

• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Cellulose excipients
• Biomaterials production
• Pharmaceutical excipients
• Cellulosic materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Espoo

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. MCC and Cellulose Product Sales: Sale of proprietary PURA Series™ MCC products — Super Flow, Universal Premium, Nordic Beauty, and MCC Spheres — to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, cosmetics, and personal care manufacturers. Revenue from direct product sales with pricing based on volume and specifications. The facility can produce up to 10,000 tons annually.
2. Technology Licensing: Licensing of AaltoCell™ technology platform to industrial partners for deployment in their own facilities. Includes licensing for MCC production and broader biorefinery applications. Partners include Marubeni (Indonesia) and PTT MCC (Thailand).
3. R&D and Contract Development Services (BIG): R&D services through the Bio Innovation Garage (B.I.G.), offering joint development projects with partners and customers. Includes contract research, feasibility studies, and custom cellulose solution development for industrial clients.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nordic Bioproducts Group manufactures and sells high-purity microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) products under its PURA Series™ brand, produced via its patented AaltoCell™ continuous-flow process. The portfolio includes PURA Series Super Flow (spherical granules for pharma/nutraceuticals), Universal Premium (market-standard MCC powders), Nordic Beauty (cosmetic-grade MCC), and MCC Spheres (microplastic replacements). The company also develops the Norratex™ technology for sustainable textile fibers and operates the B.I.G. (Bio Innovation Garage) R&D facility.

Product overview

Nordic Bioproducts Group operates a platform-based business centered on its patented AaltoCell™ continuous production technology for manufacturing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and cellulose derivatives from forest biomass. The company produces the PURA Series™ product family including Super Flow granules (spherical particles for pharmaceuticals/nutraceuticals), Universal Premium powders, Nordic Beauty ingredients for cosmetics, and MCC Spheres as microplastic replacement. Supporting technologies include Norratex™ for sustainable textile fibers. The company operates the B.I.G. (Bio Innovation Garage) R&D facility in Espoo and a commercial-scale EXCiPACT-certified production facility in Lappeenranta, Finland with capacity up to 10,000 tons annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AaltoCell: Patented technology platform for producing high-value microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and cellulose derivatives with significantly reduced environmental impact
• PURA Series
• Norratex
• B.I.G. (Bio Innovation Garage)
• PURA Series Super Flow
• PURA Series Universal Premium
• PURA Series Nordic Beauty
• PURA Series MCC Spheres

Products and services

• PURA Series™ Super Flow MCC High-purity microcrystalline cellulose granules with unique spherical morphology offering exceptional flowability and consistent performance for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, personal care, and cosmetics applications. Available in Super Flow 75, 150, and 450 grades; complies with Ph. Eur., USP/NF, JP standards.
• PURA Series™ Universal Premium MCC Market-standard MCC powders functioning as texturing agents, anti-caking agents, stabilizers, and binders across pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and consumer products. Available in UP15, UP65, and UP95 grades.
• PURA Series™ Nordic Beauty MCC 100% biobased, fossil-free, biodegradable MCC ingredient range for modern cosmetic formulations. Available as Powders (15) and Pearls (75, 150, 450) replacing synthetic alternatives.
• PURA Series™ MCC Spheres Fully cellulose-based perfectly spherical particles in customizable sizes offering microplastic replacement for cosmetics with 100% cellulose composition, low nitrite levels, reduced carbon footprint, and full compostability.
• Norratex™ Textile Fiber Technology Novel process for producing sustainable wood-based textile fibers from pulp feedstock. Carbon disulfide free with minimal commonly used chemicals that are easily recovered, designed as a drop-in solution for pulp mills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 81% lower carbon footprint (434.6 kg CO2e per ton MCC) vs conventional methods
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• ACT Group (Atlantic Chemicals Trading)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 February 2026Strategic distribution partnership signed February 2026 with ACT Group, a Hamburg-based trading company with 40+ years of experience in international distribution of raw materials and functional ingredients. ACT provides NBG with access to its customer network of nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, personal care, food, and industrial manufacturers, plus technical sales, regulatory expertise, and logistics infrastructure.
• ACT (EXCiPACT Certification Body)minorOthers · 26 June 2024ACT is the EXCiPACT-accredited certification body that conducted the comprehensive audit and issued Nordic Bioproducts Group its EXCiPACT certification for pharmaceutical excipient production at the Lappeenranta facility.
• PTT MCC Biochem Co. Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2024MOU signed April 2024 for strategic collaboration to advance bioplastic innovation. NBG's activated cellulose fibers are used as ingredient in PTT MCC's BioPBS (bio-polybutylene succinate) product. Joint development project aims to create home-compostable bioplastics for single-use products such as coffee capsules, cutlery, and containers. Thailand is the world's second-largest bioplastics producer.
• Marubeni CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2024Comprehensive MOU signed January 2024 for long-term collaboration on sustainable biomass utilization. Partnership aims to establish a biorefinery in South Sumatra, Indonesia, processing kraft pulp and plantation residues (~290,000 hectares) using AaltoCell™ technology. Marubeni targets net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Collaboration showcased at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024.
• EV-Consulting and Fiber-XminorOthers · 1 January 2022Built in collaboration with EV-Consulting and Fiber-X. The Lappeenranta production facility relies on 90% refurbished equipment.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FMC Corporation: FMC is a large-scale producer of microcrystalline cellulose and other pharmaceutical excipients. Competes with NBG across pharma and nutraceutical formulation applications and represents the type of established global supplier NBG must displace to gain share.
• Sigachi Industries: Indian-headquartered Sigachi is a growing MCC manufacturer serving pharmaceutical, food, and personal care markets globally. Competes with NBG in price-sensitive segments and represents a similar scale and growth profile as a specialty MCC challenger.
• Asahi Kasei — Ceolus MCC: Asahi Kasei is one of the world's largest specialty MCC producers under the Ceolus brand, serving pharmaceutical and food applications globally. The company's scale, Japanese origin, and breadth of cellulose derivative grades position it as both a direct competitor and a benchmark for NBG's APAC ambitions.
• JRS Pharma (J. Rettenmaier & Söhne): JRS Pharma is a major European manufacturer of cellulose-based pharmaceutical excipients including MCC grades (Vivapur). Shares NBG's European base and pharma excipient focus, making it the closest regional direct competitor in the formulation excipients market.
• Mingtai Chemical: Taiwan-based Mingtai is a major Asian MCC producer serving pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics customers globally. As a focused specialty MCC player with scale, Mingtai represents a direct comparable in product range and customer profile to Nordic Bioproducts Group.
• DFE Pharma: DFE Pharma is a specialized excipient manufacturer with deep pharmaceutical customer relationships, producing MCC, lactose, and other functional excipients. Closely comparable to NBG in target customer base and product positioning within pharma formulation.
• DuPont (now IFF) — Avicel MCC: DuPont's Avicel brand is the historical market leader in pharmaceutical-grade microcrystalline cellulose. Operates at massive global scale with deeply entrenched pharma customer relationships, making it the most direct competitive benchmark for Nordic Bioproducts Group's PURA Series.

Broad incumbents

• Borregaard: Borregaard is a Norwegian biorefinery company producing lignin, specialty cellulose derivatives, and bio-based vanillin from forest biomass. Shares NBG's Nordic forest-based feedstock model and broader biomaterials platform ambition, though Borregaard is far larger and more diversified.
• Roquette: Roquette is a global leader in starch-based and cellulosic excipients for pharma, food, and nutrition. While not an MCC pure-play, Roquette overlaps with NBG in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipient categories and represents the broader ingredient supplier competitive landscape.
• Sappi: South African-headquartered Sappi is a major dissolving pulp and biomaterials producer with growing interest in cellulose derivatives and sustainable textiles. Overlaps with NBG on feedstock (dissolving pulp), biorefining direction, and sustainable textile fiber ambitions (Norratex).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NordicBioprods
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nordic-bioproducts-group

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nordic Bioproducts Group