Global MFC Fiber Market to Witness Elevated Growth & Challenges

Posted by Arslan on March 6th, 2019

Microfibrillated cellulose fibers, also known as MFC fibers are naturally occurring polymers. Structurally the polymer is made of repeating units of glucose known as cellulose fibers that are stacked together to form fibrils. The polymer fibrils that are of nanometer dimension in diameter and micrometer in length are called MFC fibers. This dimension aspect ratio gives the MFC fibers their greater strength.

Fact.MR has published a 10-year outlook of the MFC fiber market in the report titled, “MFC Fiber Market Forecast, Trend Analysis & Competition Tracking - Global Market Insights 2018 to 2028.” The report covers all the vital facets of the market such as megatrends in the market, market drivers, market challenges and future opportunities. A thorough analysis of regional market performance, supply-demand scenario and associated industry analysis has derived the most credible forecast of the MFC fiber market for the period 2018-2028.

A Good Competitive Price Point Helps MFC Fiber Market to Flourish

Microfibrillated cellulose is extracted from plant waste making the raw material cost-effective for the final MFC fiber production. In addition, the MFC fiber market challenges has witnessed a significant evolution in terms of processing and production methods applied.

With the inclusion of new sources, novel pre- and post-treatment and new mechanical processes, a significant optimization has been established in MFC fiber production. With the advanced yet feasible mode of production and easy accessibility of raw materials, the MFC fibers are available at competitive prices suitable for multiple end-use applications.

Packaging Industry and MFC Fiber Manufacturers’ Collaborations Boost Market Growth

Ongoing trends such as clean label and sustainable production have led packaging manufacturers to seek raw materials that deliver better performance at an affordable cost. Product performance can be increased to 15-20% in terms of strength with the use of just 1% of MFC fibers in packaging material.

Superior material quality in terms of oxygen and moisture barriers allows the use of MFC fibers as film, nanocomposites and paper coatings across the packaging industry. Manufacturers can receive premium product quality with the use of less material and superior functions, thereby lowering overall production cost.

One of the prominent examples of collaborations between packaging giants and MFC fiber manufacturers is Elopak and Stora Enso partnership initiated to test microfibrillated cellulose-based liquid packaging cartons in Central and Eastern European dairy industry in 2016. Another example includes collaboration between BillerudKorsnäs and Borregaard for trial runs of MFC fiber usage in paper manufacturing.

Bio-Based Materials –A Changing Industrial Landscape Befits MFC Fiber Market Growth

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) fiber is a renewable and biodegradable material. Sustainability of microfibrillated cellulose fibers is ensured by its non-food and non-land competing nature. Industries such as paper and packaging are increasingly utilizing renewable and biodegradable materials such as MFC fibers. Further, beneficial properties of MFC fiber augurs well for end-users in achieving light-weight and stronger paper and packaging solutions.

Aware of these demand trends across industries, manufacturers in the MFC fiber market have ramped up their production capacities of MFC fiber. Apart from paper and packaging industry, increasing application of high quality MFC fiber in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries has led manufacturers to focus on expanding their existing portfolio of MFC fibers. 

Sustainability-Oriented Government Advocacy Underpins Bullish Outlook for MFC Fiber Market

MFC fibers are categorized under next-generation materials that hold potential to replace non-biodegradable materials across industrial applications such as additives, composites, viscosifiers, rheology modifiers, and thickeners. To develop processes with increased production of nano and microfibrillated cellulose fibers at pilot and commercial scales, government agencies have made considerable investments and partnered with research organizations.

Borregaard has received EUR of 25 million EU funding for the development and commercialization of Borregaard’s Exilva MFC fiber in 2016. The financial assistance comes from “Horizon 2020 Flagship Programme”- the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Norske Skog also received funding of NOK 6.5 million from Innovation Norway for enhanced production of MFC fiber.  

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape section of the MFC fiber market report provides a dashboard view of the MFC fiber market players. Further, in the company profiles section, the MFC fiber market report thoroughly discusses product offerings, global market presence, revenue share and notable business strategies undertaken by key market players.

Manufacturers in the MFC fiber marketplace are leveraging strategies such as expansion, acquisition and partnership strategies. For instance, in April 2018, Borregaard, a leader in the MFC fiber market partnered with HORN, North America’s leading distributor of specialty ingredients. The partnership is aimed at expanding distribution of Borregaard’s Exilva® MFC fiber in West and Southwest of the U.S.

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