Nouryon launches FinnFix® PB MAX, the first 100% biobased, biodegradable CMC, helping laundry detergents cut carbon footprint without sacrificing performance.
Nouryon, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has introduced a major innovation for the cleaning industry with the launch of FinnFix® PB MAX, the industry’s first carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) made entirely from renewable carbon sources. This breakthrough product achieves a 100% renewable carbon index score, offering laundry detergent manufacturers a powerful way to lower the environmental impact of their products while continuing to meet high consumer expectations for cleaning performance.
As sustainability becomes a defining requirement across the consumer goods sector, detergent brands are under increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints, comply with evolving regulations, and respond to environmentally conscious consumers. Nouryon’s FinnFix® PB MAX directly addresses these challenges by replacing traditional synthetic CMC ingredients with a fully biobased and biodegradable alternative. Importantly, this shift toward renewable materials does not come at the cost of performance. On the contrary, the product has been designed to deliver performance that is comparable to, or even better than, conventional CMC solutions.
One of the key functional benefits of FinnFix® PB MAX lies in its enhanced anti-redeposition properties. During the washing process, soils and dirt particles are removed from fabrics, but without effective stabilization, they can reattach to the fibers, reducing fabric brightness and cleanliness. FinnFix® PB MAX helps prevent this by keeping the removed soils suspended in the wash water and ensuring they are thoroughly rinsed away. This results in cleaner fabrics, improved fabric appearance, and consistent washing performance across a wide range of laundry conditions.
From a production standpoint, FinnFix® PB MAX is manufactured using natural, wood-based cellulose as its primary raw material. In addition, the product incorporates ISCC Plus-certified monochloroacetic acid sourced from Nouryon’s facility in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. By combining responsibly sourced cellulose with certified inputs, Nouryon ensures that the final CMC product is derived entirely from renewable carbon sources, reinforcing its sustainability credentials and supporting transparent, traceable supply chains.
According to Brad Pearson, Vice President of the Cleaning Goods business line at Nouryon, demand for such solutions has reached unprecedented levels. Brand owners worldwide are actively seeking ways to reduce the carbon footprint of their formulations without sacrificing the cleaning performance consumers have come to expect. With decades of expertise and a manufacturing heritage in CMC production dating back to the early 1940s, Nouryon is well positioned to support customers in navigating this transition. The company’s application specialists work closely with formulators to help them meet both consumer expectations and emerging regulatory requirements related to sustainable product design.
FinnFix® PB MAX has been developed with ease of adoption in mind. It is available globally and can be incorporated into existing powdered laundry detergent formulations with minimal reformulation efforts. To further support customers, Nouryon provides technical assistance and formulation guidance through its extensive global network of application laboratories, helping detergent manufacturers quickly and confidently bring more sustainable products to market.
Within Nouryon’s Consumer and Life Sciences segment, FinnFix® PB MAX forms part of the Home and Personal Care business unit. This unit focuses on supplying essential ingredients that enhance the performance, efficiency, and sustainability of everyday consumer products. With the launch of FinnFix® PB MAX, Nouryon reinforces its role as a key partner for brands seeking innovative, high-performance, and environmentally responsible solutions for the future of cleaning.
