Anomera® – RYAM

“RENEWABLE TO REMARKABLE”

It’s been nearly a century since our first facility opened in 1926. Since then, RYAM has become a global leader in the development and manufacture of cellulose specialties. Today, our products can be found in everything from TVs and tire-treads to eyeglasses and pharmaceuticals. Our work makes everyday products possible.

Over the years, the spirit of innovation has driven us to excel. In 2017, RYAM began providing financial and product development support for an innovative, cellulose-based nanomaterial under development by an entrepreneurial research team located in Montreal.

Today, I am proud to publicly announce RYAM’s strategic investment in Anomera, whose patented, eco-friendly method of manufacturing carboxylated Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC) is a remarkable innovation, that creates a green technology or “building block” with enormous potential for a variety of applications.

This investment brings RYAM’s ownership share of Anomera to 35 percent, which will continue to grow within our planned agreement. It also expands our shared vision of making sustainable products that improve lives and protect our planet.

The time is right. Consumers increasingly demand that industry be gentler to the environment, and Anomera’s products offer multi-billion-dollar industries natural, biodegradable alternatives to silica and petroleum-based microbeads found in cosmetics and their CNC benefits in industries including cement, paints and coatings, composites, agriculture, medical, pharma and life sciences.

Expanding our strategic partnership with Anomera provides an exciting opportunity for RYAM to advance our leadership in cellulose chemistry. Please join us in celebrating this opportunity to build upon what we do best: provide customers with sustainable products that improve lives.

“REDEFINING CELLULOSE FOR THE FUTURE”

Who is Anomera?

Anomera is an early stage cellulosics based company that utilized Cellulose Specialties products produced by RYAM as a key raw material. The Company manufactures carboxylated Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC) in a patented eco-friendly method that delivers a superior nanomaterial from sustainably harvested Canadian Forests.

What differentiates Anomera’s products?

Anomera’s products are certified "readily biodegradable" and are targeted in markets that currently utilize less environmentally friendly silica and petroleum-based plastic microbeads that have littered our oceans. In addition, Anomera products bring other physical properties, including smoothing effects and the ability to uniquely carry dyes creating pigments for cosmetic end-uses. In addition, Anomera patented DextraCelTM brings strength and dispersion capabilities to a multitude of industrial applications.

Where will Anomera’s products be used?

This platform product is creating new opportunities for the multi-billion dollar markets in cosmetics and skincare, the industries of cement, polymer composites, coatings, pigments, agriculture, and for human wellness in pharma and life sciences.

How will Anomera go to market?

Anomera has partnered with Croda, a global leader in cosmetics and personal care ingredients, as its exclusive distributor for these segments. Croda possesses a full formulation capability and a portfolio of complementary products that will allow it to accelerate Anomera’s successful launch into the cosmetics and personal care market.

Where are they located?

Anomera’s head offices and applications lab are in Montreal, Quebec. Anomera is currently developing a Specialty Manufacturing Facility (SMF) in Temiscaming, adjacent to RYAM’s Temiscaming Cellulose Specialties facility. Construction is underway and production is expected to commence in Q2 2021.

Why is this important to RYAM?

RYAM and Anomera share the vision of producing sustainable products that add to the quality of people’s lives while respecting the planet. Anomera operates in an adjacent, downstream space to RYAM and has products which will benefit RYAM's core manufacturing.

Who is the Anomera team?

Howard Fields, President and Chief Executive Officer, a successful serial entrepreneur, leads a strong and dedicated management team, focused on innovation and development. The Company employs 11 Ph.D.'s and Material Science scientists that focus on new applications for the 21st-century bio-economy.