Ecohelix, a scale-up company that has a patented technology to produce high-performance biopolymers from side streams of the pulp industry, received SEK 30 million in new capital in a financing round in July.
Ecohelix provides a unique and patented technology that refines hemicellulose and a part of the lignin from pulp industry side streams into high-performance components, the WOODMER™ biopolymers. These innovative components provide green and sustainable alternatives to conventional, usually fossil-based polymers in, for example, the packaging and cosmetics industries.
- We have a strong investor base that shows confidence in our vision. We want to replace harmful oil-based polymers with high-performance and sustainable wood-based biopolymers. Our technology is complete, patented, and tested with large and credible companies. We have a pioneering technology and are convinced that we can make a positive difference in how we produce goods and products that are used in our everyday lives – products in packaging, home care, and cosmetics. We are ready to go into full-scale production, says Petri Oinonen, founder, and CEO of Ecohelix.
Ecohelix is working further with their plan to start volume production of high-performance sustainable biopolymers in 2025. The plan is a full-scale production facility at Domsjö Fabriker at the High Coast Innovation Park. The goal is to be a major player in new materials within the circular economy in the near future.
- At Domsjö fabriker, we get access to a sustainable raw material that performs very well in applications that we are interested in. In addition, we believe that the High Coast Innovation Park and Örnsköldsvik generally attract talent and knowledgeable employees to the area, making our facility's establishment very attractive.
Ecohelix has on several occasions collaborated with Processum and Domsjö fabriker within the framework of the R&D Council. During these R&D council projects, Ecohelix, Processum and Domsjö fabriker have worked on verifying various parts of the technical concept and the integration into the pulp mill's processes.
- At Processum, we think it's great fun to see that Ecohelix is taking its innovation further and bringing in additional capital. We are following their journey with big interest, and it is especially fun that their establishment ends up at the High Coast Innovation park in Örnsköldsvik, says Liselotte Uhlir, senior project manager at Processum.
Source: RISE
