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Microbial and bacterial cellulose is an organic compound produced by specific bacteria. The majority of plants' basic structural material is cellulose. Microbial cellulose, also known as bacterial cellulose, is a porous network structure produced by microbial fermentation. It is a natural, biodegradable cellulose produced by bacteria. It is well-known for its superior properties, which include high water absorption, mechanical strength, and crystallinity.
The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is already being felt, with the global microbial and bacterial cellulose industry being particularly affected. COVID-19 had a negative impact on many markets in 2020 as numerous countries were put on lockdown. The unexpected pandemic caused disruptions in a variety of industries. Various industries were impacted by the pandemic's numerous restrictions. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the paper, medical, pharmaceutical, food, and packaging industries. These industries have a high demand for microbial and bacterial cellulose due to its applications. The halting of operations due to labor shortage, demand-supply gap, and supply chain framework all had an impact on microbial and bacterial cellulose demand.
As per Business Research Insights, the global microbial and bacterial cellulose market size is anticipated to be valued at USD 889.5 million by 2027.
Business Research Insights identifies the following as the top 5 global microbial and bacterial cellulose companies:
1. CelluForce
CelluForce is the global market leader in the development and commercialization of Cellulose NanoCrystals (CNC), a new advanced biomaterial made from wood. CelluForce NCC is the brand name used by the company to market a family of CNC products. CelluForce operates the world's largest CNC plant, with a CNC production capacity of 300 tonnes per year. Domtar, FPInnovations, Schlumberger, Suzano, and Investissement Québec are among its internationally renowned shareholders.
CNC is manufactured as a spray-dried powder or a liquid suspension form of infinitely small cellulose crystals derived from trees. CNC can be used to improve product performance in a variety of industries, including adhesives, biotechnology, cement, chemicals, cosmetics, electronics, food & beverage, glass & ceramics, lubricants, metals, oil & gas, paints & inks & coatings, pharmaceutical, printing, pulp & paper, rubbers & plastics, and textile.
2. Borregaard
Borregaard is a Norwegian company that was founded in 1889 in the southeastern town of Sarpsborg in the county of Stfold. Traditionally, its main products were pulp and paper. Later, the company began producing chemicals using timber as a raw material. Borregaard was acquired in 1986 and was part of the Orkla Group's chemical division until it was spun off and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in October 2012. In 2016, it had 1,050 employees.
The company's core business is based on a biorefinery, which produces products based on various components of wood. Specialty cellulose, lignin products (lignosulphonates), bio ethanol, yeast & yeast extracts, and lignin-based vanillin are all its important products. In addition, the company manufactures ethyl vanillin, diphenols, and fine chemicals.
3. American Process International (API)
API is a biotechnology and engineering company. Dr. Theodora Retsina founded API as an engineering consulting firm serving the forest products industry after graduating from Imperial College, London, with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 1994. API completed over 500 energy and water integration research projects and recognized annual energy savings opportunities worth more than USD 1 billion. It has the most experience in applying Pinch technology in the world.
The company has been developing technologies for converting biomass into cellulosic sugars for use in the production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals since 2005. Green Power+ and AVAP are two patented cellulosic technologies owned by American Process.
4. Innventia AB
RISE Innventia AB is a Swedish subsidiary of RISE Research Institutes. The company focuses on research, development, and innovation in the pulp and paper, packaging, and biorefining industries. The activities range from fundamental research to direct consulting and development assignments in value chains with final products such as bio-based energy, chemicals and materials, and packaging. Prior to April 2009, the company was known as STFI-Packforsk AB. Since April 1, 2016, the Swedish government has owned Innventia through RISE Research Institutes of Sweden.
5. Nippon
Jujiro Motegi founded the company under the name Komyosha in 1881. The company was incorporated in 1898 and renamed Nippon Paint Manufacturing, before changing its name to Nippon Paint in 1927. Nippon Paint formed a 50/50 joint venture with Bee Chemical in 1954. It became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Paint in 2006.
Nippon Paint was reorganized as a holding company in October 2014, and adopted its current name. In exchange for its stake in the Singapore joint venture, the Singaporean paints and coatings manufacturer Wuthelam Group increased its stake in Nippon Paint from 39% to 58.7% in August 2020.