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What is today known as ‘Papira® by Stora Enso’, started as a start-up called ‘Cellutech’ developing a bio-based foam material. Cellutech’s ambition was to provide sustainable wood-based innovations contributing to a circular economy and with global impact.
Established in 2013, Cellutech brought cutting-edge materials closer to the market by serving as a link between academia and industry. The start-up focused on taking world class scientific research developed at Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC) and accelerate the ideas into commercially successful technologies and products.
In October 2018, Cellutech was acquired by Stora Enso, the renewable materials company, and is now a part of Stora Enso Innovation Centre for biomaterials. Cellutech’s vision was to provide innovative technologies and products to meet today’s need for a sustainable future. With matching visions in putting bio-based materials at the centre of their business to do good for the people and the planet, it was clear that Cellutech and Stora Enso were meant for each other.
Stora Enso believes that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today, can be made from a tree tomorrow. Achieving this cannot be done alone, which is why Stora Enso has actively worked with start-ups for many years to develop new bio-based solutions.
“It is great to see that research results from WWSC make their way into innovation and commercialization. Papira® by Stora Enso is a clear demonstration of the importance of the unique opportunity for WWSC researchers to conduct fundamental research, made possible by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundation. Also, it is really inspiring to see what potential the research has to contribute to the development of the Swedish forest industry and its competitiveness.”
Professor Eva Malmström, WWSC Director
Stora Enso has increased its ownership up to 100% in the Sweden-based company Cellutech AB. The company specialises in the development of new materials and applications based on cellulose, micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) and other wood-based components.
Stora Enso will build a pilot facility for producing 'Cellulose foam', a lightweight, fiber-based foam material for protective packaging and cushioning. Bio-based foams are renewable and recyclable and can be used in packaging, for example, to replace oil-based polymer foams which are widely used today. The pilot plant will be located at Stora Enso’s Fors Mill in Sweden.
Stora Enso’s Papira® wins “Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2021” in an award ceremony organised during the 2nd International Conference on Cellulose Fibres (2-3 February 2021).
