The construction of our pilot plant has progressed timely. The start of the equipment installation was celebrated yesterday, 14th September, in Kokkola Industrial Park in the presence of guests. The pilot plant will be used to recycle and refine valuable birch bark compounds to replace environmentally harmful ingredients, such as microplastics and palm oil, from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals. The production plant will be completed by the end of 2022.
Innomost Ltd, a Finnish forerunner in the circular economy, is taking the global growth plan to the next level as the construction of the pilot production plant progresses. The modern production facility is currently being built in Kokkola Industrial Park in cooperation with KIP Infra Ltd and construction company Jake Rakennus Bygg Ltd.
Yesterday, Wednesday 14th September Innomost celebrated the beginning of the machinery installation of their pilot production plant. In addition to the people who participated in the construction project, the invited guests included: Members of the Board of Directors of Innomost and Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Spring Ltd.
Innomost Oy is a growth company that develops and produces high-value processing products from the side streams of the Finnish forest industry, such as birch bark, that are suitable for replacing raw materials that are harmful to the environment. During 2021 and 2022, the company has raised a total of EUR 6 million in funding to build a pilot plant and expand its business to a global level. The most significant capital investment was made by Metsä Spring Ltd, which is part of Metsä Group. Investment company Innovestor, Finnish Industry Investment Ltd (TESI) and a group of private business angels also invested in the company. The round was completed with investment support and loans on R&D from Business Finland and Business Finland ELY Centre for Central Finland (KESELY).
“The modern production facility meets the high quality and safety standards of the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The aim is to minimize the carbon footprint at all stages of production by utilizing environmentally friendly and innovative solutions. For example, wood raw material left over from production is recycled into bioenergy for the needs of the production plant. The pilot plant utilises bio-based heat and electricity produced by Kokkolan Energia. In addition, surplus heat from the production is utilised to increase energy efficiency, by heating the production buildings.
“Innomost pilot plant will strengthen the importance of the chemical industry in the Kokkola Industrial Park and bring new expertise, especially in the field of circular economy, as well as create synergies,” says Jaakko Pöykkö, CEO of KIP Infra Ltd.
Construction company Jake Rakennus Bygg Ltd has long experience in environmentally friendly and sustainable construction projects.” KIP Infra and Innomost represent exactly that sustainable construction and development towards a greener future, which is also Jake Rakennus’ s mission and vision. In the construction project of the Innomost pilot plant, we have been able to utilize our strong know-how in sustainable construction and bring new know-how in environmentally friendly building solutions. ” Summarizes Johan Asplund, CEO of Jake Rakennus Bygg Ltd.
The plant is capable of processing up to one million kilograms of birch bark per year, and further processing 100,000 kilograms of birch bark powders and 10,000 kilograms of extracts. “However, our current range of biodegradable and sustainable products from birch is only the beginning of our company’s innovation potential and growth opportunities in the global market,” says Sami Selkälä, CEO of Innomost.
The pilot plant will be completed by the end of 2022. Innomost’s current product range consists of birch charcoal powder, birch bark powder, betulin, suberin and azelaic acid. The products are suitable for production on a large scale, which makes it possible to meet the demand of large, global customers.
