Karl brings a focus and creative spark to our mission of pioneering materials. In a recent interview, Karl shares his story of founding CelluXtreme on basis of his doctoral studies.
Karl’s development of what became CelluXtreme’s unique reinforcement fibre started at the Wallenberg Wood Science Centre (WWSC). A research centre set up to focus on new materials from trees to form the basis for an innovative and sustainable future value creation. With co-founder Daniel and CelluXtreme’s advisors Fredrik and Lars on his side, Karl explored at KTH Royal Institute of Technology the production and engineering of nanocellulose based materials.
Asking Karl what kept him pushing boundaries, he reflects that “I was intrigued by the potential of developing a high performing, and high value material from cellulose where sustainability is part of designing the process.” And for sure, the potential was readily seen. The process was patented, published in high-impact journals, and received multiple industry and science awards.
Completing his PhD studies, Karl continued the development of biobased products, first as researcher at Chalmers University of Technology, then at RISE Research Institute for Sweden. The impact potential of his invention never left his thoughts and ideas of founding a company became stronger. “I think that founding a company is an opportunity that others are missing out on, even though it is a lot more work needed to reach the finish line”, states Karl. That is great spirit which will carry CelluXtreme’s continued development.
One of the challenges on top of Karl’s mind is “scaling the production capacity of CelluXtreme’s new technology and keeping the fibre property”. Karl explains that “one cannot simply make things bigger when physics at the nanoscale define properties. One needs to go back to fundamentals and use agile test methods to leap forward. At CelluXtreme, I am lucky to have a team of sharp thinkers with a diverse engineering background and academic advisors that push boundaries together”. The recent capacity boost speaks results. The laboratory nozzle from PhD research was designed for producing centimetres per day. Today CelluXtreme stands at a capacity of kilometres per day and has the next leap to pilot scale in the drawers. Enough material to develop prototypes in cocreation projects with customers.
Get in contact with CelluXtreme to get your prototyping started, inquire material samples or leave your greetings to Karl.