SpruceSugar: Upcycled Antioxidant from spruce sawdust for Sustainable Personal Care

Date:8 May 2023

Country: Finland

Application

• Development of natural personal care products, such as shower gels, shampoos, and liquid hand soaps, by replacing synthetic chemicals with upcycled antioxidant compounds. It can also be used in other cosmetic applications due to its antioxidant and sustainable properties.

Description

SpruceSugar is an innovative antioxidant ingredient upcycled from spruce sawdust, a byproduct of the forest industry. Developed by Montinutra in collaboration with Ole Hyvä Luonnontuote, a Finnish body and home care brand, it is featured in Metsä, a new personal care range that includes a shower gel, shampoo, and liquid hand soap. The product is a 100% natural hemicellulose extract that substitutes synthetic chemicals, enhancing the antioxidant capacity of personal care products.

Pathway Description:

The process involves upcycling sustainable spruce sawmilling side streams (sawdust) to extract a natural hemicellulose compound called SpruceSugar. This is done through a biorefining method that isolates and concentrates the antioxidant properties of the wood's hemicellulose