K.D. Feddersen acquires stake in green start-up

Hamburg-based K.D. Feddersen Holding has acquired a minority interest in Biofiber Tech Sweden - BFT - the company has announced. 

BFT is a young greentech start-up that offers innovative solutions in the field of bio-based raw materials for various plastics applications. The company has developed and patented a method to surface-modify wood fibres from fir trees, using a process that makes these more compatible with plastics. No harmful chemicals are used. The fibres are further processed into pellets, for easy handling when mixed with new or recycled plastic. The ratio of natural material and plastic is set based on the requirements of the product and the customer. This mixture is then turned into granulate, which can be converted - using injection moulding or another technology - into a final plastic product.

For K.D. Feddersen, the acquisition is one of the first tangible results of the launch in January 2021 of its new subsidiary, port F. As the Feddersen Group's Corporate Innovation Lab, fort F aims to promote the transition towards the circular economy within the group, mainly through collaboration with players along the entire plastics value chain and through strategic cooperation with and investments in relevant start-ups, such as BFT.

"The cooperation with BFT is not just about a pure equity investment, but in particular about the strategic cooperation between BFT and the subsidiaries of K.D. Feddersen Holding GmbH," said Silke Hamm, who is responsible for business development at port F.  "It is a win-win situation for us. “

In June 2022, the investment contracts were signed on both sides. 

“The Feddersen Group provides the start-up with operational support in the areas of sales, production and R&D. In return, we get access to a high-quality bio-based material for technical applications,” added Hamm.

port F is coordinating the strategic cooperation between BFT and the business areas of the Feddersen Group. Specifically, this includes sales & marketing for FibraQ and the FibraQ compounds, toll compounding and R&D projects with the K.D. Feddersen distribution companies, Akro-Plastic and Bio-Fed, among others. The chemically modified wood fibres and wood fibre FibraQ compounds provide optimal compatibility with plastics to achieve the best possible properties in technical applications in injection moulding, extrusion, thermoforming - and 3D printing. In a project funded by Bioinnovation, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, kayak manufacturer Melker of Sweden and wood fibre producer Biofiber Tech have developed a kayak made of wood-fibre and recycled plastic, 3D  printed in one piece. The material, combined with the technology, opens the door for bio-based and circular boat production.

"The Feddersen Group is an excellent fit as a strategic investor, as the operating companies can help scale our business on different levels," said Sara Georgsson Business Development, Sales & Brand Management at BFT.