Finland’s Nordic Bioproducts Group forms Southern European partnerships to expand MCC supply

Nordic Bioproducts Group (NBG), a Finnish manufacturer of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC), has partnered with C.Q. Massó in Spain and Portugal and secured a distributor in Italy to strengthen MCC supply for the beauty and personal care industries. These partnerships aim to support manufacturers in meeting evolving EU regulations on harmful ingredients and product traceability. MCC, a renewable material derived from wood, offers a sustainable alternative to commonly used but environmentally harmful substances like talc and titanium dioxide. The collaboration also seeks to address the demand for safer formulations while ensuring a reliable supply chain within Europe.

Nordic Bioproducts Group (NBG), established in 2019 as a spin-off from Aalto University, is a Finnish company specializing in the development of cellulose-based materials. Based in Espoo, NBG focuses on creating sustainable alternatives to fossil-based products, with applications in industries such as cosmetics and personal care. Its production processes prioritize environmental efficiency, utilizing renewable wood-based resources to produce materials like Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC). Through its work, NBG addresses the growing demand for safer, traceable, and sustainable ingredients in compliance with evolving industry standards.

C.Q. Massó, headquartered in Barcelona, is a company with over 60 years of experience in the manufacture, formulation, and distribution of chemical specialties. It operates across various sectors, including plant protection, cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. The company has a wide commercial network, with branches and subsidiaries in 15 countries, and employs more than 420 people. C.Q. Massó manages its own logistics, production, quality control, and R&D facilities, providing solutions to industries globally through a diverse range of chemical products and services.

The European partnerships come at a critical time, as the beauty industry faces evolving EU regulations relating to harmful ingredients and traceability. Simultaneously, consumer demand for safer, environmentally responsible products is reshaping the market. MCC, derived from renewable wood-based resources, is emerging as a sustainable, versatile ingredient that addresses these needs.

“We’re excited to work with C.Q. Massó and others who share our commitment to advancing safer and more sustainable beauty industry,” says Olli Kähkönen, CEO and co-founder of Nordic Bioproducts Group. “Our collaborations go beyond distribution; together, we’re exploring MCC’s potential to replace fossil-based and other harmful ingredients in innovative new formulations. These partnerships pave the way for safer, high-performance alternatives that meet the industry’s most pressing challenges.”

Major brands are already making moves to take potentially harmful products off the shelves. Johnson & Johnson announced that it is stopping sales of its baby powder due to it containing mineral talc which can put babies’ health at risk.

Titanium dioxide is another problematic ingredient widely used in cosmetics. While it gives sun creams and kinds of toothpaste their signature white color, it is harmful to the environment, particularly sea creatures, as it’s released from sun creams. It has also been listed as a carcinogen and has been banned from use in food in Europe. Furthermore, the European Chemicals Agency recently announced that it had completed a pilot enforcement project, discovering that 6% of inspected cosmetic products contained banned hazardous substances.

However, innovation of replacements often takes years, which has slowed down the adoption of safer alternatives. One potential solution is cellulose, and, particularly, Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) and other cellulose derivatives. Produced from wood, a safe, natural material, microcrystalline cellulose has been proven multiple times to be a safe, environmentally sustainable, and easily accessed ingredient.

“Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) shows great promise as a replacement for ingredients like talc, titanium dioxide, and fossil-based ingredients, offering comparable benefits without the associated personal or environmental health risks. Its potential as a safer, more sustainable alternative is becoming increasingly clear,” explains Kähkönen.

Sourcing the material is not a problem either. For example, NBG’s new Lappeenranta facility in Finland is the world’s first continuous production line of up to 10,000 tons of MCC annually. Environmental sustainability is at the core of its operations as it produces zero solid waste and uses a fraction of the chemicals, water, and electricity compared to traditional MCC production processes.

Berta Oncins, Department Manager from C.Q. Massó states: “Our collaboration with Nordic Bioproducts Group reflects our shared vision for advancing beauty formulations with ingredients that are not only safe and sustainable but also meet the high-performance demands of today’s cosmetics industry. Together, we aim to create a new benchmark for what’s possible in the sector.”

Click here to read more community news.