🌍 Scaling Impact: NILO’s Strategic Expansion into China with INP Capital

info_INP
Apr 30
2 min read

At INP Capital, we believe that breakthrough innovation knows no borders. That belief came to life once again as we recently supported our portfolio company NILO on a strategic expansion initiative into Shandong Province, China—a key milestone in the company’s journey to bring sustainable, formaldehyde-free adhesives to the global wood product industry.

🤝 From Innovation to Implementation: A Milestone MOU

Earlier this month, INP Capital led a cross-border delegation alongside Michael Maunsell, NILO’s Chief Operating Officer, to meet with senior government officials in Tai’an and Xintai, and to explore collaboration with a major engineered wood board manufacturer.

The outcome: a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets the foundation for pilot testing, manufacturing integration, and long-term commercialization of NILO’s binder solution in China.

As part of the visit, INP Capital CEO Steven Xu, on behalf of our firm, was officially recognized as a City Partner by the Xintai local government—a meaningful gesture that reinforces our role in connecting international climate innovators with regional development priorities.

This partnership marks a turning point in the global movement toward cleaner, healthier building materials, and positions NILO to lead this transformation in one of the world’s most significant markets.

📸 Highlights from the Visit

🌱 A Green Alternative the World Needs

NILO’s proprietary technology converts post-consumer plastic waste into a high-performance adhesive—offering a formaldehyde-free, solvent-free, VOC-compliant binder for wood-based products.

The urgency is clear: traditional adhesives in the wood panel industry are under regulatory pressure due to health and environmental concerns. NILO provides a scalable, circular solution—validated by IKEA, BASF, and independent forestry labs—and is now preparing for pilot application and product localization in China.

🌐 INP Capital’s Role: Enabling Global Growth

This milestone reflects our approach at INP Capital: investing more than capital—we invest capability, connectivity, and commitment.

Our China-based team provided:

🔗 Government and manufacturer introductions
📝 Local support for MOU facilitation
📊 Strategic advisory on pilot and market entry
🤝 On-the-ground presence to navigate commercial alignment

We view this as a model for how venture capital can act as a true scale partner—bridging ecosystems and turning innovation into impact.

🚀 What’s Ahead

NILO’s expansion into China is only the beginning. With a commercial pilot underway and deep interest from ecosystem partners, this collaboration sets the stage for regional manufacturing, local job creation, and material transformation at scale.

From New Zealand to China, INP Capital is proud to back companies that are reshaping industries—and doing so sustainably.

Stay tuned. This journey is just getting started.