CelluComp, known for its innovative materials for fiber-based packaging, will open its very first commercial-scale facility in the U.S., in Renville, Minnesota. Starting in May, the 15,000 square-foot facility will begin producing Curran, CelluComp’s unique micro-fibrillated cellulose product.
Curran is made from the leftover pulp of root vegetables like sugar beets, serving as an alternative to plastic and harmful PFAS chemicals in packaging. In partnership with the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, CelluComp will initially use up to 7,000 tons of sugar beet pulp to kick off production with 800 tons of Curran, scaling up to 24,000 tons by next year. This innovative product is set to make its way to manufacturers around the globe who are looking to create biodegradable packaging.
Renville is the ideal spot for this endeavor, thanks to its access to a nearly unlimited supply of sugar beets. The company has also received support from local and state organizations, including Minnesota legislators, city leaders, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
“Following years of research and planning around the globe, we landed on Minnesota and the community of Renville as the key to our future in providing the world with a proven PFAS-free fiber-based barrier packaging solution,” said Christian Kemp-Griffin, CEO of CelluComp. “The stars aligned in West Central Minnesota with a supportive business climate, eagerness for more bioindustry innovation, support from the local farming community and access to hundreds of thousands of acres of sugar beet pulp.”
“Having a global business like CelluComp expand in Renville is a huge win for our community,” said David Van Hove, Jr., mayor of Renville, Minn. “We welcome creative businesses like this that see the potential of what rural Minnesota can provide and we celebrate the infusion of jobs and productivity they deliver while making a positive environmental impact.”
The manufacturing process will also generate by-products that can be used locally for all-natural animal feed, fertilizer, and even biogas energy. CelluComp estimates that its operations could divert around 80,000 tons of sugar beet waste annually from low-value uses, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy.
