Finnish biotechnology company Chempolis is known for its formico® biorefining technologies, which use formic acid to convert biomass into a range of high-quality, fossil-free products. The process achieves a significantly higher yield than conventional pulp production, as it efficiently separates not only cellulose but also hemicellulose and sulfur-free lignin from the biomass feedstock. These fractions can be further refined into bioproducts, such as bioethanol, dissolving pulp, furfural, and acetic acid.
Chempolis’s technology can be applied to a wide variety of often underutilized raw materials, such as bamboo, straw, and forest industry byproducts. The process is validated separately for each raw material and intended final product in the company’s laboratory and demonstration plant before scaling up. Occasionally, the analyses required during process development are not available in-house, and in those situations, Chempolis almost invariably turns to Measurlabs.
One-stop shop for biomass testing
Chempolis has been a Measurlabs customer since 2021. The collaboration has expanded over the past year as several new formico® technology plant projects have entered the pilot phase, each utilizing different biomass feedstocks. Laboratory testing is needed at every stage of the refining process to characterize raw materials, process liquors, and final products.
Chempolis’s analytical needs are diverse and often require rare or technically demanding methods. One example is the 31P NMR technique used to determine the chemical structure of lignin. Although only a few commercial laboratories offer this method, Measurlabs has been able to provide it along with many other advanced biomass analyses, including carbohydrate composition and molecular weight distribution analysis.
"We particularly appreciate that we don’t need to approach several laboratories to find one that can perform a specific analysis. New analytical needs arise regularly, and Measurlabs has always been able to provide the methods we require," says Maija Rouhiainen, Chempolis’s Director of Demo Operations.
Fast responses and on-time analyses
Due to the several simultaneous pilot projects, Chempolis’s analytical needs are often urgent. Measurlabs offers an expedited turnaround option for most measurements the company orders regularly. Smooth and proactive communication also helps projects run on schedule.
"Measurlabs’ experts reply to emails quickly, no matter what the question is. The customer service is excellent in this respect," Rouhiainen says.
Rouhiainen and her colleagues also value Measurlabs’s efficient customer portal, which makes placing orders straightforward.
"The well-functioning customer portal, combined with the comprehensive range of analyses and excellent customer service, makes Measurlabs stand out from other service providers. This is why we choose to work with them time and time again."