Top 10 Companies in the Nano Cellulose Industry (2026): Leaders Driving the Bio-Based Materials Revolution

In Business Insights
January 29, 2026


The Global Nano Cellulose Market was valued at USD 267 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 848 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.0% during the forecast period (2025–2034). This robust growth is driven by the global push for sustainable materials, increasing demand for high-performance barriers in packaging, and expanding applications in composites, biomedical fields, and electronics.

As industries worldwide pivot towards circular economy models and bio-based alternatives, the spotlight is on the key innovators and producers who are transforming renewable biomass into high-value nanomaterials. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Nano Cellulose Industry—a mix of established pulp and paper giants, specialized chemical producers, and pioneering startups shaping the future of advanced materials.


🔟 1. FiberLean Technologies

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) slurries, primarily for paper and packaging

FiberLean Technologies is a global leader in the production of microfibrillated cellulose, a key form of cellulose nanofiber (CNF). The company’s patented technology allows for the cost-effective integration of MFC into paper and packaging manufacturing processes, significantly enhancing strength and enabling lightweighting, which reduces material usage and environmental impact.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Focus on large-volume industrial integration with paper mills

  • Strategic partnership with Trinseo for commercial deployment

  • Expanding production capacity in Europe and the Americas

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Nano Cellulose Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Kruger Inc.

Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Key Offering: Cellulose filaments (a type of CNF), biomass-derived nanomaterials

Kruger Inc., a major Canadian pulp and paper producer, has developed a proprietary process for producing cellulose filaments. This material boasts exceptional strength and reinforcement properties. Through its subsidiary, Performance BioFilaments, Kruger is commercializing these filaments for applications in composites, paints and coatings, and cement additives.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Leveraging existing biomass infrastructure for sustainable production

  • Targeting high-value industrial applications beyond traditional paper


8️⃣ 3. Borregaard

Headquarters: Sarpsborg, Norway
Key Offering: Exilva® microfibrillated cellulose, specialty biomaterials

Borregaard operates one of the world’s most advanced and commercially successful biorefineries. Its Exilva® brand offers high-purity microfibrillated cellulose, known for its exceptional rheological control and reinforcement capabilities in water-based systems like paints, adhesives, and construction chemicals.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Focus on providing consistent, specification-grade materials for industrial customers

  • Strong emphasis on technical support and application development


7️⃣ 4. Nippon Paper Industries

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) powders, sheets, and dispersions

Nippon Paper is a Japanese paper manufacturing giant at the forefront of CNF commercialization. The company has invested heavily in R&D and operates multiple pilot and commercial plants. Its diverse product portfolio caters to packaging, electronics, cosmetics, and automotive applications, reflecting Japan’s strong national push for nanocellulose adoption.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Development of various CNF forms (aqueous, powder, composite)

  • Exploration of novel applications in flexible electronics and healthcare

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Nano Cellulose Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. CelluForce

Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Key Offering: Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), marketed as CelluForce NCC®

CelluForce is a pioneering joint venture between Domtar Corporation and Kruger, operating North America’s first commercial-scale CNC production plant. Cellulose nanocrystals are known for their high strength, iridescent properties, and use as rheology modifiers and reinforcements in composites, films, and personal care products.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • World-leading producer of cellulose nanocrystals

  • Collaborative development with end-users to create application-specific solutions


5️⃣ 6. American Process Inc.

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: BioPlus® CNC & CNF, GreenPower+ biofuels and chemicals

American Process Inc. (API) is a technology developer focused on integrated biorefining. Its AVAP® technology efficiently produces nanocellulose alongside biofuels and other bioproducts from various biomass feedstocks. This integrated approach aims to improve the overall economics of nano cellulose production.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Pioneering low-cost, integrated biorefinery models

  • Focus on scalability and commercial feasibility for broad market penetration


4️⃣ 7. Oji Holdings Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: CNF sheets, transparent films, composite materials

Oji Holdings, another Japanese paper industry leader, is aggressively developing and commercializing nano cellulose applications. The company is focusing on high-barrier packaging films, transparent flexible substrates for electronics, and reinforcement materials, aiming to replace petroleum-based plastics and glass.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Large-scale investment in CNF production facilities

  • Strategic partnerships with automotive and electronics companies


3️⃣ 8. RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
Key Offering: R&D services, pilot-scale production, technical consulting

While not a commercial producer, RISE is a pivotal player in the European nano cellulose ecosystem. It provides crucial R&D, pilot-scale production capabilities, and standardization leadership. RISE collaborates with numerous companies to de-risk technology and accelerate the commercialization of new nanocellulose applications.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Hub for collaborative research and innovation in Europe

  • Key role in developing international standards for nanocellulose


2️⃣ 9. Stora Enso

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Bio-based materials, nanocellulose development

Stora Enso, a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, and wood construction, is actively developing nanocellulose technologies. Leveraging its vast forest resources and mill infrastructure, the company focuses on integrating CNF into its existing product portfolio to enhance performance and sustainability.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Integration of nanocellulose into high-value packaging solutions

  • Exploration of nanocellulose in biocomposites and barrier coatings


1️⃣ 10. Daicel Miraizu Ltd. (formerly Daicel Corporation)

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Celish® cellulose nanofiber, specialty chemicals

Daicel is a long-standing leader in the commercial production of cellulose nanofibers, marketed under the brand name Celish®. The company offers a range of CNF products tailored for use in cosmetics, paints, resins, and food, focusing on their functionality as thickeners, stabilizers, and reinforcing agents.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Established global supplier with a diverse application portfolio

  • Strong focus on the cosmetics and personal care industry

Get Full Report Here:
Nano Cellulose Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Nano Cellulose Is High-Performance and Sustainable

The nano cellulose market is undergoing a significant transformation from a research curiosity to a commercially viable, high-performance material. While production volumes are still growing from a relatively small base, the industry is rapidly scaling up and integrating nanomaterials into mainstream manufacturing processes.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Shift from Lab-Grade to Industrial Specification-Grade Materials: Buyers increasingly demand consistent, well-defined properties for reliable integration.

  • Diversification of Product Forms: Development of high-solids gels and redispersible powders to reduce shipping costs and improve handling.

  • Accelerating Adoption in Packaging and Composites: Strongest growth in applications where nanocellulose provides clear performance and sustainability benefits.

  • Increased Standardization and Collaboration: Efforts by ISO and other bodies to create common terminology and testing methods, reducing market friction.

Get Full Report Here:
Nano Cellulose Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only producing innovative materials—they’re building the foundation for a more sustainable and circular bio-economy.