After an intense fall and winter in the BizMakers Forest Business Accelerator, startup Alder Olmai has taken several important steps in developing its non-toxic paints.
Using natural dyes extracted from forest residues, the company develops new solutions in collaboration with both industrial partners and research projects - with a vision of fossil-free and healthy textile production.
- The time in the Forest Business Accelerator has provided new insights into the forest industry and more knowledge, energy and structure. It has been like a multivitamin supplement for Alder Olmai. The people in the program have inspired, supported and had a genuine focus on our development, says Linda Magdalena Jonsson, founder of Alder Olmai.
At the same time as the company has continued to develop its paint process, they are now involved in a new innovation project funded by BioInnovation. The goal is to develop non-toxic textile dyes based on residual streams from forest and sea.
- The project is a hypothesis test and an important step in listening to companies so that we can meet the industry's requirements and needs," says Linda Magdalena.
In parallel, Alder Olmai has taken a concrete step into the market. In a pilot project with fashion companies and hotels, bed linen is recycled into new staff garments - dyed with Alder Olmai's bio-dye from the Swedish forest.
- "Seeing our colors used in real products, in a real customer case, is proof that our solution has great potential - both technically and aesthetically.
To continue growing, Alder Olmai is now looking for a new colleague to build up chemical and technical production processes based on the research they have conducted so far.
- We are looking for someone who is passionate about innovation and who wants to help shape the bio-dye industry of the future. The role is central to building up the production of bio-dyes and translating research into practical, sustainable solutions for a non-toxic textile industry and circular bio-economy.
Does this sound like you - or someone you know? Please get in touch with Linda Magdalena Jonsson.
About the Forest Business Accelerator
The Forest Business Accelerator is a collaboration between BizMaker, SCA, RISE and IBM for startups with innovations that create value for the forest or forest industry and contribute to the green transition.
