Norwegian biomass projects get investment boost

Advanced biorefinery owners Borregaard has received a multi-million grant from the Research Council of Norway to further wood processing projects.

The grant totals NOK 30 million ($5.3 million) and will be spread on projects over a three year period. Borregaard won the investment after submitting three applications for funding on projects within the areas of lignin products for use in concrete, microfibrillar cellulose and new specialty cellulose products.

‘We feel the grant from the Research Council is recognition of the research and development work we have done so far, and a positive signal for continued focus on innovation in the wood processing area in Norway,’ says Borregaard CEO Per Sørlie.

Borregaard claim it owns the world’s most advanced biorefinery which uses natural, sustainable raw materials to produce advanced and eco-friendly biochemicals, biomaterials and bioethanol that can replace oil-based products.

It annually spends over NOK 120 million on research and development and around 15% of turnover now comes from products that did not exist five years ago.