Nanollose Limited (ASX:NC6) has signed a Collaboration Agreement with Grasim Industries Limited to exclusively develop, and commercialise the company’s Tree-Free fibres including nullarbor and nufolium.
Managing Director Alfie Germano said the collaboration with the subsidiary of global conglomerate Aditya Birla Group will provide Nanollose with a world leading industrial partner with the ability to accelerate development and commercialisation and provide a manufacturing foundation for future textile and clothing brands that uptake Nanollose’s Tree-Free fibres.
Mr Germano said that partnering with an industrial fibre manufacturer was the last missing link needed to complete Nanollose’s waste to textile value chain.
Grasim Industries Limited, is the flagship company of US$48.3 billion Aditya Birla Group, and ranks amongst the top publicly listed companies in India.
It is a leading global producer of man- made cellulosic fibres for apparel, textiles and non-woven applications. Grasim currently creates its fibres from managed forest trees and its new sustainable processes and technology to safeguard the environment.
Under the Agreement, Nanollose and Grasim will contribute in-kind materials and services, and share knowledge and IP around microbial cellulose and its conversion into fibre.
The parties will work together exclusively to further refine and develop the process to enable fibre production on Grasim’s pilot spinning line at the tonne scale. Both Nanollose and Grasim will jointly own any new IP generated in the project.
Once successful pilot scale production at Grasim has been achieved, Nanollose and Grasim aim to enter into a subsequent agreement for the exclusive production of Tree-Free fibres from microbial cellulose on a commercial scale.
The term of the Agreement is up to three years, with either party being able to terminate without penalty by giving six months written notice.
“We are thrilled to have Grasim as an industrial partner,” Mr Germano said.
This collaboration will allow Nanollose to scale with a globally recognised fibre maker and create a number of commercially ready sustainable fibre products that will meet the growing demand from brands seeking eco-friendly alternatives.
“Grasim will also bring a high level of credibility when Nanollose begins offering textile and clothing brands with our breakthrough products.
“We feel this is a natural joining of forces that creates an alliance that will pioneer a new bio-material supply chain along with ticking many large sustainability boxes and increasing market demands.”
Nanollose Limited uses an eco-friendly fermentation process to grow fibres that could become a sustainable alternative to conventional plant-derived cellulose fibres.
The company’s process, which uses streams from various large- scale industries like sugar, wine and food, has the ability to produce ‘Plant-Free’ Cellulose.
Cellulose is the hidden polymer building block most consumers know nothing about, but forms a huge part of items used in their everyday life such as clothing, paper and hygiene products.