Air pollution is one of the world’s most pressing health and environmental challenges. In Gothenburg, a startup is using Nordic cellulose to develop an innovative material for indoor air purification. With its first pilot plant launched, the company is now aiming to scale up the wood-based solution to deliver cleaner, healthier air in a more sustainable way.
As EU regulations on major pollutants tighten, demand is rising for purification technologies that are both sustainable and effective. A Swedish startup is tackling the problem by creating a solution that uses the Nordic forest for its air purification technology.
Bio-based solution
The company behind the solution, Adsorbi, develops adsorbents produced from wood-based cellulose fibers which help remove harmful air pollutants without the chemicals or high energy use required by conventional fossil-based filters. The result is cleaner air, lower operating costs, and a smaller environmental footprint.
In August 2025, Adsorbi launched its first pilot plant in Gothenburg, a move that will allow production and testing of the technology at a larger scale. This could mark a significant step toward the wider commercial adoption of the bio-based air purification solution.
Global air quality challenge
According to the World Health Organisation, indoor air pollution alone caused more than three million deaths in 2020, while combined indoor and outdoor pollution is associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually. Poor air quality is also linked to respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and cancer.
With a heightened global focus on human health, net-zero targets, and industrial decarbonisation, innovations such as this wood-based solution are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Read the press release from Adsorbi: https://www.adsorbi.com/news/adsorbi-launches-pilot-plant
Explore Adsorbi and other air quality solutions from Sweden at swedishcleantech.com/companies
