Stora Enso and Rennovia collaborate on biobased chemicals development

Renewable materials company Stora Enso and specialty chemicals company Rennovia Inc. have announced a joint development and license agreement to cooperate on biobased chemicals development.  

Based in Finland, Stora Enso is currently in the throes of transformation from a traditional paper and board producer to a renewable materials growth company, with a focus on fiber-based packaging, plantation-based pulp, innovation in biomaterials and sustainable building solutions. Using its expertise in wood and other biomass, the company is exploring the opportunities afforded by the different fractions of biomass from the tree, i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose (sugars) and lignin, for new applications in specialty chemicals, construction, coatings, personal care and food industries, among others. In that light, the present agreement with Rennovia is “a logical step” said the company, in the push to target new markets and develop novel products.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will cooperate to develop processes for bio-based chemicals of interest to Stora Enso, employing Rennovia’s high-throughput catalyst discovery infrastructure and process development expertise. Rennovia focuses on the technology development of novel catalysts and processes for the cost advantaged production of chemicals from renewable feedstocks.

  “The joint development and technology agreement will accelerate some of the developments Stora Enso is working on and gives us a solid platform to move further in building a portfolio of sustainable bio-based solutions for our customers. We are looking forward to collaborating with Rennovia,” said Juan Carlos Bueno, Executive Vice President, Biomaterials division at Stora Enso.

 Rennovia is a young, California-based company founded in 2009 with as aim to produce new and drop-in chemicals from renewable feedstocks by employing sustainable, low carbon footprint, environmentally friendly process technologies and advanced catalysts. The agreement with Stora Enso “underscores the broad applicability of Rennovia’s catalytic technologies to the production of a wide range of bio-based chemical products,” said Robert Wedinger, President and CEO of Rennovia.

“We are delighted that Stora Enso recognizes our catalyst and process technologies as an efficient, cost-effective platform for producing bio-based chemicals.”