LKT advises Nippon Paper to Invest HUF 15 bln in CMC Plant in Hungary

Lakatos, Köves & Partners (“LKT”) is proud to advise Japan's Nippon Paper Industries (listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with a global presence), regarding a HUF 15 billion (approx. EUR 38,650,140) green field investment including the acquisition and development of an industry site and building a plant in Hungary in Vácrátót, on the outskirts of Budapest, that will supply carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) materials for the production of electric vehicle batteries. CMC is a water-soluble, environmentally-friendly polymer derived from cellulose that is one of the materials used for lithium-ion battery anodes in EVs and a natural raw material that is used as a binder by numerous industries (construction, paper, food, pharmaceuticals, etc.) as a kind of natural adhesive.

This CMC raw material is supplied to Nippon's plant in Vácrátót and processed locally. Nippon intends to sell the final product to its partners in Hungary and abroad for use in the future.

Nippon investment requires and uses minimal water (only for cooling the machines, by using a recirculation system to reduce water demand), and electricity to run the machines. Nippon as a Japanese company holds strict environmental regulations and is environmentally highly conscious.

Production at the plant is expected to start in December 2025, the government will support the investment with HUF 2.3 billion (approx. EUR 5,933,432) and the plant will create close to 60 jobs.

LKT’s core legal team is led by Attila Ungár Real Estate Partner and includes Katalin Losonci and Fanni Balás lawyers.