Innovation does not happen by chance. It is usually the result of years of development and a huge amount of expertise. Seven years ago, Kiilto launched a research project with the aim of finding new biobased raw materials to replace fossil raw materials. In autumn of 2025, Kiilto launched textile detergents in which fossil raw materials have been replaced by lignin obtained from the side streams of the forest industry.
Lignin is a biopolymer found in the cellular structure of wood. It is present in the side streams of the forest industry. It can be separated from the wood, and its properties can be modified to suit textile washing. During washing, its role is to prevent dirt from sticking back on the textiles.
“We started with an idea. There was no guarantee that we would find new biobased raw materials to replace fossil ones. At first, we explored a lot of different raw material options, which was really interesting to me as a researcher. For example, we tested biomass from marshlands, but after a couple of weeks, it started to go mouldy in the fridge”, Kiilto’s RDI manager, Tomi Peltonen, recalls.
The challenge of finding the right partner
The first ideas and samples did not work as expected, and the direction was not clear. Cooperation was established with several research institutes and companies, but no suitable partner seemed to be found for the production and development of a new biobased raw material.
After about two years, one of the world’s most advanced bioproducts factories, the Norwegian company Borregaard, joined the project, bringing new ideas for lignin-based compounds. Borregaard uses wood to produce various biobased raw materials. They can both produce and modify lignin.
“Finding Borregaard was a revelation. It started a series of successes that quickly put the pieces in place”, says Peltonen.
“We have come to know Kiilto as a customer and market actor who dares to challenge and is both bold and persistent enough to see things through”, says Ross Ellis, Senior Scientist at Borregaard.
A series of successes led to innovation
The rest of the project was more straightforward: samples were tested, and the raw material was modified as needed. Due to the large number of partners, the samples were constantly tested and adapted according to the results of the tests. Once a workable concept was found, the focus was on production requirements, such as the granulation of lignin, to facilitate the cleaning of production lines.
“This is a clear example of how bio-based raw materials can replace fossil alternatives without compromising performance”, says Anders Sjöde, VP Industrial Solutions at Borregaard.
The quality requirements for the renewed products were high, and compromising on them was not an option. All the renewed textile washing powders have the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, and the unscented versions of the products also have the Allergy Label.
Peltonen emphasises that the product development team was not solely responsible for the successful outcome. The cooperation between the functions and the will to succeed were what really mattered.
“The product development team could not have carried out the project alone; the work of the procurement, production, marketing and sales teams and their faith in our innovation was also crucial. Open communications with Borregaard also played a key role.”
Lignin brings new possibilities to other products as well
The long research project provided many lessons learned during the process. According to Peltonen, testing methods were developed, and the understanding of lignin increased:
“There are thousands of different ways to modify lignin. Therefore, it can also be used in other products. However, the material’s brown colour may initially raise a few eyebrows”, says Peltonen.
He stresses the need to raise awareness by example:
“If lignin were used in cleaning clothes, for example, would its natural brown colour seem off-putting?”
The use of lignin in textile washing powder is a major innovation, and Kiilto is among the first in the world to use lignin-based material LignoBrite in textile detergents. Peltonen hopes that the innovation will spark a debate throughout the chemical industry.
“All stones need to be turned to find alternatives to fossil raw materials. While the alternatives are many, the research and development needs to be open-minded.”
The use of lignin supports Kiilto’s aim of reducing the carbon footprint of its products. “Hopefully, we can lead the way for other companies”, Peltonen concludes.