Carner Corporate Finance has advised Nordic Bioproducts Group (NBG), a Finnish biomaterials company originating from Aalto University, on securing a strategic minority investment from Japan’s Oji Holdings Corporation (Oji), one of the world’s leading forest-based materials groups. The transaction gives Oji a 20% ownership stake in NBG.
The company’s initial commercial focus is microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), operating in a rapidly growing global market valued at approximately USD 1.33 billion and projected to double by 2035. Demand growth is particularly driven by the pharmaceutical, food, nutraceutical, and personal care sectors.
For NBG, the partnership with Oji represents a significant milestone in scaling its AaltoCell® technology and accelerating the global expansion of high-value, low-impact bio-based materials. Beyond MCC, both NBG and Oji see AaltoCell® as a platform technology with broad potential across a wider range of cellulose-derived materials.
The partnership delivers clear strategic benefits to both parties. Nordic Bioproducts Group gains a strong, long-term industrial shareholder to support its growth and commercialization efforts, while Oji strengthens its strategic shift toward more sustainable, forest-based biomass products.
Carner Corporate Finance previously acted as sole financial advisor in NBG’s €30 million funding round and advised the company throughout this latest financing process, continuing the long-standing collaboration between Carner and NBG.
Link to Nordic Bioproducts Group's press release
