Memorandum of Understanding Signed with Estonian Company Fibenol to promote on of wood-based biomass material LIGNOVA®
Sumitomo Shoji Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Noriyuki Ando; hereinafter “Sumitomo Shoji Chemicals”) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fibenol OÜ (hereinafter “Fibenol”), an Estonian manufacturer of wood-based biomass materials, to collaborate in the sales and marketing of Fibenol’s products.
Fibenol operates a pilot plant in Estonia that produces wood-based biomass materials from hardwood residue and plans to commercialize its operations in Latvia by 2030. Meanwhile, Sumitomo Shoji Chemicals launched the “Green Chemicals Business Unit” last fiscal year and, in collaboration with Sumitomo Corporation’s Green Chemicals SBU, is actively developing environmentally conscious businesses to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.
Looking ahead to Fibenol’s commercialization plans, Sumitomo Shoji Chemicals will leverage the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s expertise and global network to expand the reach of Fibenol’s flagship product, lignin (brand name: LIGNOVA®), and other wood-based biomass materials in both the Japanese and international markets. Through this, the companies aim to implement Fibenol’s innovative technologies into society and contribute to the decarbonization of industrial value chains.
Lignin is a biomass material expected to be used in various applications such as industrial resins and road paving, serving as a substitute for petrochemical products due to its unique structure. Fibenol’s LIGNOVA® stands out for its quality characteristics, enabling differentiation from competing materials. By developing demand and ensuring stable supply, Sumitomo Shoji Chemicals will deliver new value to customers and society from the perspective of sustainable environmental impact reduction.
Through this partnership, the two companies will further promote the adoption of woody biomass materials and advance efforts toward a decarbonized society through collaboration between Estonia and Japan.
