Ross Ellis

Age: 40 
Position: Senior Researcher Biopolymers, Borregaard 
Studies: Chemistry, University of Edinburgh 
From: Scotland 

Research that drives collaboration and results 

Borregaard seeks people with ideas – researchers and innovators who want to make a difference. To give an insight into what it’s like to be part of our team, we spoke with one of our Senior Researchers, Ross Ellis, who shares his career path and talks about his current projects at Borregaard. 

Ross studied Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh and began his career in the UK before moving to the United States. After several years abroad, he and his family wanted to return closer to home, and in 2017, we were delighted to welcome him to Borregaard. 

– Working in a company that combines innovation with sustainability has always been a dream for me. Borregaard gave me the opportunity to use my research to make a real impact, Ross says. 

Driving innovation in a sustainable industry 
Ross’ workdays are diverse and include lab experiments, meetings, research, and customer interactions. He also attends conferences to stay updated on industry trends. 

One of the most exciting projects he’s contributed to is LignoBrite – a sustainable solution for household products. In 2020, Ross identified a new opportunity for Borregaard’s lignin products within dishwashing and laundry detergents – a sector where sustainability is increasingly vital.  

Through research and experimentation, he discovered that lignin could enhance cleaning performance. This breakthrough led to a new product line and investment in a production facility to support it. 

Today, LignoBrite is entering the market, and we look forward to seeing its impact. 
– It’s amazing to think that an idea, after lots of experimentation and hard work, has become a real product that’s about to hit the market. Being part of that journey has been both challenging and rewarding, says Ross. 

Collaboration and professional growth 
What Ross values most at Borregaard is the close collaboration across departments. Our unique products and integrated processes require researchers to work closely with production, sales, and customers. 

– I love the collaboration here. There’s a culture of sharing ideas and knowledge, and it’s fantastic to know that my work doesn’t just impact the lab – it affects the entire production chain. 

Borregaard also invests in professional development. Ross has taken part in several training programmes, including courses in process optimisation and leadership. We believe in lifelong learning and strive to offer opportunities for our employees to grow. 

Work–life balance – and life in Norway 
Flexibility is a key part of Borregaard’s work culture. Ross appreciates being able to balance work and family life, thanks to options like home office and flexible working hours. 

In his free time, he enjoys Norway’s natural beauty – swimming in the fjords during summer and skiing in winter.