Bäckhammar based Lixea Sweden AB processes wood waste using its proprietary ionic liquid technology to transform wood and plant residue into reusable materials and chemicals. The company has now entered into an agreement with IKEA Switzerland to explore how wood waste from discarded furniture can be converted into new raw material streams for future products.
The pilot project, which was initiated by IKEA Switzerland and facilitated by Kickstart Innovation, focuses on waste furniture streams that will be processed at LIXEA’s laboratories and facilities to evaluate the potential of the extracted materials for new bio-based products.
– IKEA has an ambition to create a more circular approach to managing its furniture waste, and we have every opportunity to support that vision, says LIXEA COO and Commercial Lead, Marcus Elmer.
The aim of the partnership is to deliver a proof-of-concept study. Material for the project will be sourced from the IKEA store in Karlstad, Sweden.
– It is a very exciting collaboration with LIXEA, giving us the opportunity to learn more about their products and how they can be integrated into our circular ecosystem and business practices, says Monika Wülser, Sustainability Business Partner, IKEA Switzerland.
– We believe that creating partnerships with innovation not in silos and collaboration between corporates and startups are crucial to see the right acceleration enhancing impact on business and sustainable levels. IKEA and LIXEA are a great example of that next to other partnerships we have supported so far, says Katka Letzing, CEO, Kickstart Innovation.
This development is an important step towards LIXEA’s commercial ambitions. The company has been awarded funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme for the construction of its pilot plant facility in Sweden and then received additional support from the EU’s Innovation Fund for the establishment of a larger, commercial demonstration plant.
– We have secured very strong support for Lixea’s technology development from the EU and are now working to match that funding from the private sector. We are looking for investors to help build the bio-future of materials step-by-step, strengthening Sweden’s and overall Europe’s leadership role in the bio-economy sphere, says LIXEA CEO, Krisztina Kovacs-Schreiner.
About LIXEA
LIXEA is a pioneering provider of a sustainable biorefining technology, dedicated to advancing the transition towards a circular bioeconomy. Through their innovative process, the company offers customizable solutions for lignocellulosic biomass fractionation, unlocking the full potential of renewable resources for a financially rewarding, greener future.
About IKEA Switzerland
In 1973, IKEA opened its first furniture store outside Scandinavia in Spreitenbach. Today, IKEA Switzerland operates ten furniture stores and four planning studios (Plan and order points) at various locations. Since October 2023, Janie Bisset has been the CEO and CSO of IKEA Switzerland. IKEA Switzerland employs approximately 3,500 people and generates annual revenue of around CHF 1.2 billion.
About the Ingka Group
The Ingka Group (Ingka Holding B.V. and its controlled subsidiaries) is one of twelve corporate groups that own and operate IKEA furniture stores under franchise agreements with IKEA Systems B.V. The Ingka Group has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments, and Ingka Centres. With more than 400 IKEA furniture stores in 31 countries, the Ingka Group is a strategic partner in IKEA’s franchise system. The Ingka Group recorded sales of 41.5 billion Euros in fiscal year 2025, which represents a slight decrease of 0.9% compared to the previous year (41.8 billion Euros in fiscal year 2024).
About Kickstart Innovation
Kickstart Innovation is one of Europe’s largest zero-equity open innovation platforms, dedicated to building purposeful innovation ecosystems. Our mission is to fast-forward innovation by fostering meaningful collaborations between start-ups and established organizations. Each year, we run an Open Innovation Program that brings together high-potential start-ups and scale-ups from over 80 countries, to work alongside industry leaders such as AXA, Coop, la Mobilière, PostFinance, Ikea, Swisscom and more, to co-create game-changing solutions in deep tech and sustainability, tackling pressing innovation challenges. To this date, Kickstart helped with over 350 deals and alumni raising over CHF 3.5 billion.
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Contact at Lixea: Krisztina Kovacs-Schreiner – krisztina@lixea.co
