Client Spotlight – NuKol | HOUGHTON, MI
NuKol, an emerging clean-tech startup founded by Chris Anderson, is tackling one of the industrial sector’s most persistent challenges: reducing reliance on coal without sacrificing performance. A member of MTEC SmartZone’s 2025 AMMP Accelerator cohort, NuKol is transforming hard-to-recycle paper and plastic waste into high-energy fuel pellets. NuKol offers a scalable, circular solution for industries like cement, steel, and power generation—where energy needs are high and decarbonization has proven difficult.
From Entrepreneurship Student to Fuel Innovator
Chris Anderson, founder and CEO of NuKol, is currently studying entrepreneurship at Northern Michigan University (NMU). He always knew he wanted to start a company, but wasn’t sure what it would look like. Through classes, fellowships, and programs like the SHERPA initiative (a collaboration between NMU and Michigan Technological University), Chris was introduced to a unique waste‑to‑fuel technology, developed at Michigan Tech, that inspired him to leap into entrepreneurship.
Solving a Critical Energy and Waste Challenge
Industries such as cement, steel, and power generation remain reliant on coal due to its unmatched energy density. However, coal is considered one of the most environmentally damaging fossil fuels due to a range of serious impacts across its lifecycle—from mining to burning. The patented technology NuKol seeks to utilize torrefaction/extrusion process transforms mixed paper and plastic into fuel pellets, outperforming coal while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40%!
What Sets NuKol Apart
NuKol stands out by transforming mixed waste materials that conventional recyclers can’t reuse—creating a reliable, storable fuel compatible with existing industrial systems. This consistent energy output and safe logistics distinguish NuKol in a crowded alternative‑fuel landscape.
The company’s vision is to localize production, build alternative fuel hubs, and license its manufacturing process, thereby positioning NuKol as a scalable solution for industrial decarbonization and circular infrastructure.
The Early Hurdles and Growth
Launching a startup while navigating college brought challenges. Chris credits his mentors and the structured support from Great Lakes I‑Corps and AMMP for accelerating his growth. “Learning to be patient and recognizing how much I had to learn was critical,” Chris reflects.
The AMMP Accelerator has been pivotal in refining his leadership skills and sharpening NuKol’s strategic direction by dissecting issues across product development, operations, financing, regulatory strategy, and partnerships.
Chris joined the AMMP program to gain hands‑on learning every single day, and the experience delivered. Beyond strategic insights into commercialization and customer validation, AMMP provided confidence-building through peer collaboration and expert mentorship.
Though the company’s core strategy hasn’t shifted, the accelerator has played a decisive role in helping NuKol achieve key milestones and develop a clear path toward future growth.
Roadmap: What’s Next
Over the next 12–18 months, NuKol is prioritizing:
- Reactivating its pilot-scale facility to produce fuel pellets for test burns with lead industrial customers.
- Third-party emissions testing to validate performance and underpin regulatory credibility.
- Building the company’s digital presence to support marketing, education, and early customer acquisition.
Thanks to the collaboration between the MTEC SmartZone, Innovate Marquette, and the AMMP Accelerator, the NuKol team was able to submit an application request for Business Accelerator Fund (BAF) grant funding, which is currently under review. Looking ahead, Chris aims for NuKol to operate multiple facilities across the Midwest and Gulf Coast, converting 350,000+ tons of mixed waste into clean fuel annually. Target customers include cement plants, steel manufacturers, universities, and other high-energy users.
“Ultimately,” Chris says, “NuKol aims to be a catalyst for change—showing that waste can be a resource and circular, carbon-reducing solutions can be economically viable. Our impact will be measured in waste diverted, emissions avoided, jobs created, and communities supported.”
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About MTEC
Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) is one of 21 SmartZones in the State of Michigan. MTEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Its mission is to facilitate the creation and ongoing success of high-tech value propositions in conjunction with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since 2003, the MTEC SmartZone has provided mentoring, technical support, and other services to local companies that have led to the creation of over 800 high-tech jobs in the Houghton and Hancock, Michigan area.
About AMMP Accelerator
The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Program (AMMP) Accelerator is designed to support around five cohort companies every three years, fostering a sustainable model for startup acceleration. Through targeted training and mentorship, the initiative aims to catalyze economic growth, with a projected creation of 40 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in the Upper Midwest region. Additionally, the program will provide guidance and mentorship to approximately 120 companies in the community, driving forward the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Program funding comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build to Scale Program, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and MTEC SmartZone.