Stockholm, Sweden 29 May 2015 -- MoRe Research, alongside Holmen and SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, is investing in nanocrystalline cellulose by building a pilot facility in Örnsköldsvik. The facility will be the first of its kind in Europe and represents an important step, allowing interested companies to develop nanocrystalline cellulose from cellulose-based material on a large scale.

Nanocrystalline cellulose has many interesting material properties, and can be used for example as a building material, in biocomposites, printed electronics and dye additives. The operation in the pilot plant is based on technology developed by an Israeli start-up company Melodea.

"Holmen is working actively to develop new products based on raw materials from our Swedish forests," says Ola Schultz-Eklund, Director of Business Development and Innovation at Holmen. "Nanocrystalline cellulose is definitely an interesting material for the future."

"We are proud to support the implementation of Melodea's nanocrystalline cellulose production technology along with key players in the Swedish forestry and paper industries" says Yoram Shkedi, CEO of Melodea Ltd. "This is a major step towards commercialization of nanocrystalline cellulose in variety of applications".

Holmen is participating as a catalyst in the creation of the facility and in its role as a co-owner of Melodea. MoRe and SP will have central roles in the construction and operation of the facility, which is expected to be in place during the first half of 2016.

The plant is supported financially by Västernorrland County Administrative Board, Holmen, the Kempe Foundations, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden and the Önnesjö Foundation.