NaturNorth Technologies LLC has started construction of the world's first commercial facility to convert birch bark into an intermediate product for further processing into valuable compounds for a variety of market sectors.
This facility will use patented technology to separate and process the bark of the white paper birch tree into pellets that will be further processed into commercial quantities of bioactive, nontoxic compounds such as betulin and betulinic acid.
These compounds have demonstrated effectiveness as antifungals, antibacterials, antivirals and biocides for use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, crop protection products and preservatives.
A representative from NaturNorth emphasized that it will obtain its bark supplies from forest products operations that currently generate the bark as a waste by-product of wood products manufacturing.
This facility will initially support the production of large quantities of betulin to supply a variety of industries.
The facility, located about 20 miles north of
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