Montinutra

About Montinutra

Montinutra, which is newly branded as Boreal Bioproducts®, is a Finnish B2B company founded in 2018, operating at the intersection of the bioeconomy and circular economy. The firm is focused on upcycling underutilized side streams from the forest industry, such as sawdust and bark, into high-value, sustainable biochemicals. This approach directly challenges the chemical and cosmetics industries' reliance on fossil-based raw materials. The company's current CEO is Jaakko Pajunen, who brought over 15 years of experience in business development and the circular economy, including a role as Development Director at Lassila & Tikanoja, when he took the helm in January 2022.

The core of Montinutra's operation is a proprietary production process based on pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE). This method avoids the use of chemical solvents, enabling a robust, zero-waste, and cost-effective production of natural fractions with a minimal environmental footprint. By transforming forestry by-products, the company provides a scalable, bio-based alternative to fossil-derived materials without interfering with the food production chain. Their business model centers on creating value from these existing resources, ensuring a steady, year-round supply of certified and renewable feedstock.

The product portfolio, marketed under the Boreal Bioproducts® brand, includes a range of natural, vegan, and biodegradable ingredients. These biochemicals, such as SpruceSugar™ (polysaccharides) and SpruceLigno™ (lignins), serve diverse applications including industrial binders, barrier coatings, dispersants, and personal care products. For the cosmetics sector, the ingredients offer functionalities like film-forming, SPF-boosting, and anti-aging properties. After securing €2 million in a pre-A funding round led by Metsä Spring in late 2023, Montinutra is accelerating its international expansion and the development of an industrial demo plant, which is planned to be operational by 2026. The company's long-term ambition is to achieve an annual revenue of 100 million euros by 2035.