Japan’s Oji Holdings has completed a strategic minority investment in Nordic Bioproducts Group (NBG), a Finnish biomaterials company developing next-generation cellulose technologies based on research originating from Aalto University.
Finalized in January 2026, the transaction gives Oji a 20% ownership stake in NBG and establishes a long-term partnership focused on industrial collaboration, technology deployment and global market development. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The partnership centers initially on microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a specialty material widely used in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, food and personal care products. Demand for MCC is growing as manufacturers face tighter regulatory requirements, higher quality standards and increasing pressure to reduce environmental impacts. The global MCC market is valued at approximately USD 1.33 billion and is expected to roughly double by 2035.
Nordic Bioproducts Group’s AaltoCell® technology is positioned as a lower-impact alternative to conventional MCC production. According to life-cycle assessments cited by the company, the process reduces greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, water consumption and chemical inputs while meeting the purity and performance requirements of regulated applications.
Beyond MCC, both companies view AaltoCell® as a platform technology that could support the production of additional cellulose-derived materials over time, enabling higher-value outputs alongside traditional pulp and paper operations.
Founded in 2019, Nordic Bioproducts Group established a commercial-scale, EXCiPACT®-certified production facility in Lappeenranta, Finland, in 2024. The site is designed for continuous processing and advanced process development, with initial production focused on high-purity MCC for pharmaceutical applications.
While the technology is intended for global deployment, Finland remains central to its industrial development. Forest industry exports accounted for approximately €12 billion in 2024, and the transition toward higher-value bio-based materials is increasingly critical as traditional paper markets mature.
For Oji, the investment supports a broader strategy to extend forest-based value chains beyond conventional pulp and paper, while Nordic Bioproducts Group gains a long-term industrial partner to accelerate scale-up and global market access.
Nordic Bioproducts Group is a Finnish biomaterials company specializing in advanced cellulose technologies. Founded in 2019, it has developed AaltoCell®, a patented platform technology for producing high-value cellulose-based materials with reduced environmental impact. The company operates an EXCiPACT®-certified production facility in Lappeenranta, Finland, and is headquartered in Espoo.
Source: Nordic Bioproducts Group
