Abstract: The present disclosure describes various building materials used in the building and construction industry, and to buildings or objects constructed therefrom, and to methods of making these building materials. The building materials comprise a polymeric material, such as sodium alginate and/or calcium alginate which confers significant flame-, fire- and heat-resistance or imperviousness to the materials. Other substances can be added to the materials to improve cross-linking and/or to produce resistance to fungal degradation. The building materials which can be produced, processed, or treated using the alginate polymers of the invention include, but are not limited to, wood products; masonry products; wall, roofing, flooring and siding products; and paint products. Further, sodium alginate in the form of a gel may be used as a firebreak to effectively stop the advance of grass fires, wildfires, and forest fires.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tissue webs with improved durability produced by rewetting a dried tissue web, pressing the rewetted web and drying the web for a second time. This improved durability is manifested by a high cross-machine direction (CD) slope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a topographical pattern from polymer material on an endless strip with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction extending perpendicularly thereto, in which method a cylindrical rotary screen is used to apply the polymer material by the screen printing process to a circumferential side of the endless strip to be printed, wherein, when producing the pattern, the rotary screen, rotating repeatedly about its longitudinal axis, rolls on the circumferential side of the endless strip, whereby the pattern is applied to the circumferential side in at least one path running at least once uninterruptedly around the circumferential side in such a way that the beginning and the end of each revolution of the path are arranged along a common straight line, wherein, when rolling, the rotary screen performs N revolutions about its longitudinal axis during each revolution of the path on the circumferential side of the endless strip and N is a positive integer.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the conversion of biomass into a biomass product which is suitable for use as a fuel. The biomass is of plant origin and comprises microorganisms naturally occurring in the biomass. The process comprises—preparing a slurry by dispersing the biomass comprising the naturally occurring microorganisms in an aqueous liquid, maintaining the slurry at conditions suitable for aerobic digestion by the microorganisms to obtain a slurry comprising the biomass product as a dispersed solid phase, and—recovering the biomass product. The recovering comprises washing and drying the biomass product. The invention also provides a combustion process.

Abstract: The invention relates to toilet paper which can be used to satisfy human sanitary and hygiene requirements and makes it possible to reduce toilet paper consumption because the central sector of a sheet of the toilet paper has a higher average density and/or a higher average elasticity than the outer sector of said sheet of toilet paper, wherein the outer sector of the sheet of toilet paper completely or partially surrounds the central sector.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the optimisation of conditions for treating pulp with a catalyst and hydrogen peroxide to produce a Freeness value (SR) in a web produced from the treated pulp such that the energy required in mechanical agitation of the pulp is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioprocess for recycling waste paper originated from high quality paper comprising the following steps: a) preparation of pulp; b) dilution with water of the pulped material obtained in a) c) enzymatic treatment of pulp; d) addition of inorganic salts and glues; e) dilution with water of the material obtained in d) f) filtration by vacuum; optional press; and g) drying In particular, said high quality paper is printed paper. The present invention also relates to the obtainable product by the above mentioned process. The present invention further relates to the different uses of the product such as building and construction material, eco-packaging material and eco-decorative material.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a process stream of a pulp process is disclosed, as well as a method of utilizing the apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a pulp process is disclosed.

Abstract: A method is presented, by which dewatering in paper product production, optical properties, bulk and surface smoothness of the paper product can be increased. The method involves at least one step physical treatment of the vegetable fiber raw material.

Abstract: The use of a peroxidase and violuric acid, or a derivative thereof in the bleaching of pulp, such as paper materials, such as paper, linerboard, corrugated paperboard, tissue, towels, corrugated containers and boxes. The peroxidases of the invention are classified as EC 1.11.1.7. The effect of peroxidase is bleaching and de-inking of the pulp, e.g. the paper pulp and the resulting paper material.

Abstract: Provided herein are plants having altered expression of a GAUT polypeptide. Such plants have phenotypes that may include decreased recalcitrance, increased growth, decreased lignin content, or a combination thereof. Also provided herein are methods of making and using such plants.

Abstract: A method of producing a modified pulp for use in paper or paper web products, the method comprising treating wood chips in an extraction process to remove hemicellose to form treated wood chips; and subjecting said treated wood chips to chemical or semichemical pulping to form a modified Kraft pulp wherein the amount of hemicellulose contained in the modified Kraft pulp is from about 5 to about 10% by dry weight of the modified pulp.

Abstract: A method for alteration of the morphology of cellulose fibers, particularly softwood fibers, by (a) subjecting the fibers to a metal ion-activated peroxide treatment carried out at a pH of between about 1 and about 9, preferably between 3 and 7, and (b) subjecting the treated fibers to a refining treatment thereby converts SW fibers to HW-like fibers in many respects. The metal ion-activated peroxide treatment has been noted to act on pulp cellulose and hemi-cellulose, causing oxidation and oxidative degradation of cellulose fibers. The chemical treatment of the pulp, taken alone, is not sufficient to attain the desired modification of the morphology of the fibers, however, subsequent refining or like mechanical treatment of the chemically-treated fibers to achieve a given degree of refinement of the fibers requires dramatically less refining energy to achieve a desired end point of refinement and to impart other desirable properties to the pulp.

Abstract: A web product having at least one ply and having a Basis Weight, BW, to Dry Bulk, DB, value satisfying the equation DB?34.63?0.31*BW is disclosed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a paper making part for a loudspeaker has freedom of adjusting a characteristic and a sound quality, and has a higher productivity. Accordingly, a fibrillating step of a paper making material is achieved by an explosive crushing step. Alternatively, the step is achieved by a mixing step of a paper making material and a liquid, a material micro-fabricating step of applying a pressure to a mixed solution obtained by the mixing step so as to pass through an orifice and thereafter run into a device wall, and a paper making step including the micro-fabricated material.

Abstract: A method to make pulp adapted for forming a corrugated medium, the method includes: cooking chips in a cooking vessel using a caustic carbonated pulping soda/caustic (SC) cooking liquor injected into the cooking vessel; fiberizing the chips discharged from the cooking vessel to form a pulp, and removing lignin from the pulp or oxidizing lignin in the pulp by injecting oxygen (O2) into the fiberized pulp.

Abstract: Self-cleaning apparatus and methods are disclosed for handling viscous fluids, such as thick solid-liquid slurries of lignocellulosic biomass and its components, under high pressure, using an array of retractable valves.

Abstract: The present invention provides tissue products having increased CD stretch, which may be manufactured using a process in which the nascent web is subjected to two distinct rush transfers. The first rush transfer occurs when the web is transferred from the forming fabric to the transfer fabric, i.e., the “first position,” and the second occurs when the web is transferred from the transfer fabric to the through-air drying fabric (TAD) fabric, i.e., the “second position.” The overall speed differential between the forming fabric and the TAD fabric may be, for example, from about 10 to about 50 percent, with the amount of rush transfer being divided between the first and second position in a manner sufficient to achieve the desired CD stretch and other sheet properties.

Abstract: Transcription factor polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into nucleic acid constructs, including expression vectors, have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. Transgenic plants transformed with many of these constructs have been shown to have increased tolerance to an abiotic stress (in some cases, to more than one abiotic stress), increased growth, and/or increased biomass. The abiotic stress may include, for example, salt, hyperosmotic stress, water deficit, heat, cold, drought, and/or low nutrient conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for fibrillating lignocellulosic material wherein the process comprises treating lignocellulosic material with ionic liquid and recovering basically intact fibres of said lignocellulosic material. Another object of the invention is to provide an activated and/or basically intact fibre wherein the lignocellulosic material is treated with ionic liquid and a basically intact fibre of said lignocellulosic material is recovered. The invention further relates to the use of the basically intact fibre of the invention in the production of bio-based materials, preferably bio-plastics, more preferably conductive polymers, stimuli-responsive polymers, bio-based polymer composites, ceramics, fabrics, or elastomers. A process for producing paper, board, pulp or the like from fibers of lignocellulosic material which have been treated with ionic liquid and recovered as basically intact fibres is also enclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to composition containing expandable microspheres and at least one ionic compound and having a zeta potential that is greater than or equal to zero mV at a pH of about 9.0 or less at an ionic strength of from 10?6 M to 0.1M, as well as methods of making and using the composition.

Abstract: A cellulosic tissue includes cellulosic fibers selected from the group consisting of chemically pulped fibers and mechanically pulped fibers, the cellulosic fibers have from about 10% to about 50% by weight eucalyptus fibers having a lignin content of at least about 20% by weight, and from about 3% to about 10% by weight regenerated cellulosic microfibers.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: An absorbent pad which contains five separate layers of fabric which include as a central layer, bamboo ingredients that are instrumental in absorbing the moisture and eliminating odor and germs from animal urine and feces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a cellulose-fiber flat structure, the method including obtaining a cellulose-fiber flat structure by filtering a fine cellulose-fiber dispersion containing fine cellulose fibers having an average fiber diameter of 4 to 100 nm, using a filter material having a water permeability of not more than 100 ml/m2·s and an initial tensile modulus of 20 MPa or greater. The present invention is able to produce a cellulose-fiber flat structure by efficiently recovering fine cellulose fibers from a dispersion containing fine cellulose fibers having an average fiber diameter at the nano level. The method of producing a cellulose-fiber flat structure can also be applied to a continuous process.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-brittle, carbon nanopaper from single wall, multiwall, and combination thereof, from carbon nanotubes, using a vacuum deposition, high temperature annealing, and polystyrene polymer rinse process; which nanopaper can be nitrided by either a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process, or an by an electrochemical method, to obtain a useful chemically functionalized substrate, a substrate containing metastable N4, N8, and longer chain polymeric nitrogen clusters. Such nitrided carbon nanopaper can be used to enhance the ballistic performance of gun propellants, while reducing gun barrel wear and erosion thereof.

Abstract: A cellulosic fibrous structure product having one or more plies is disclosed. At least one of the plies has one or more unembossed areas, and the one or more unembossed area has a macroscopic first surface and a macroscopic second surface. The fibrous structure product also has a first wall which forms vertices with the first surface and the second surface. In addition, the first wall and the second surface form a top side wall angle of from about 90° to about 140°.

Abstract: Methods of marking paper products and marked paper products are provided. Some methods include irradiating the paper product to alter the functionalization of the paper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel production method of a cellulose nanofiber and a novel cellulose nanofiber. A method for producing a cellulose nanofiber comprising defibrating pulp by a single- or multi-screw kneader in the presence of water, the single or multi-screw kneader having a screw circumferential speed of 45 m/min. or more.

Abstract: A process for improving optical properties of high-yield pulp (HYP) for producing paper products with superior brightness. Optical brightening agents (OBAs) can effectively improve the optical properties of high-yield pulp (HYP). The present process involves incorporating the OBAs into the alkaline peroxide bleaching process. By combining peroxide bleaching with an optical brightening agent, one can decrease the bleaching cost to reach the same brightness target. Some key advantages of adding OBA to HYP at the pulp mill over the conventional wet-end addition of OBA include: i) the quenching effect on OBA by the wet-end cationic polymers such as PEI is decreased by fixing OBA on HYP fibers; ii) the negative impact of metal ions in the white water system on the OBA performance is minimized when OBA is pre-adsorbed and fixed on HYP fibers; iii) the photo-yellowing (color reversion) of HYP and HYP-containing paper sheets is decreased when more OBA is on HYP fibers to protect them from harmful UV radiation.

Abstract: A process comprising treating a lignocellulosic material preferably pulp in the presence of a transition metal catalyst with a oxidizing agent selected from a group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid and any combination thereof to form a treated lignocellulosic material having a viscosity equal to or less than about 17 cp and having reducing functional groups selected from the group consisting of aldehyde and aldehyde type functional groups at the C6 and C1 positions but predominating at the C1 position.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet having a variable local basis weight includes a patterned papermaking-fiber reticulum provided with (a) a plurality of generally machine direction (MD) oriented elongated densified regions of compressed paper-making fibers having a relatively low local basis weight as well as leading and trailing edges, the densified regions being arranged in a repeating pattern of a plurality of generally parallel linear arrays that are longitudinally staggered with respect to each other such that a plurality of intervening linear arrays are disposed between a pair of cross machine (CD) direction aligned densified regions, and (b) a plurality of fiber-enriched, pileated regions having a relatively high local basis weight interspersed between and connected with the densified regions, the pileated regions having crests extending generally in the cross-machine direction of the sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to paper products and/or substrates suitable for being made and/or converted into wallboard tape; which also may be known as joint tape and/or drywall tape, having a pH of at least 7.0 and containing a plurality of cellulose fibers, a wet strength additive, an alkaline sizing agent, and an anionic promoter, as well as methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a cellulose-containing mass comprising an organic material, the method comprising the steps a) preparation of an input comprising organic material and a liquid content, and b) exposing said input to a wet-mixing procedure at a temperature in the range of 40 to 90° C. preferably 50 to 80° C. and most preferred around 60° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of plants having a reduced lignin content and in which the cellulose hydrolysis of the walls is increased, via the total or partial inhibition of the expression and/or the activity of two laccases in said plant.

Abstract: In angiosperm and gymnosperm plants, overexpressing a SAMdc nucleotide sequence can decrease lignin content and, for plants with woody tissue, increase wood density.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, methods and systems for bamboo pulping. Bamboo biomass materials that are exclusively or largely uniform are used for bamboo pulping. In some embodiments, the bamboo biomass materials are derived from a pure stand or monoculture of bamboo. In some embodiments, the bamboo pure stand or monoculture is generated by micropropagation comprising meta-topolin or an analogue thereof and/or thidiazuron or an analogue thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paper product formed from fiber-based source material and applicable as printing paper. According to the invention, the surface of the paper product is finished by providing sufficient density on the surface so that the density of at least one surface layer of the paper product is sufficiently high to yield a Gurley-Hill value of more than 7000 s/100 ml as measured from the entire paper product, and the paper product has been dried to a moisture content of less than 3.5%. In addition, the invention relates to a process for manufacturing a paper product.

Abstract: Fibre furnish for use in the manufacture of paper and paper-based products, the fibre furnish consisting essentially of plant petiole tissue, wherein substantially longitudinally aligned petiole fibres have been cut generally laterally to form fibres with a fibre length distribution such that at least 95% of the fibres have substantially the same predetermined fibre length.

Abstract: An absorbent sheet of cellulosic fibers includes a mixture of hardwood fibers and softwood fibers arranged in a reticulum having (i) a plurality of pileated fiber enriched regions of a relatively high local basis weight each extending a distance in the cross-machine direction (CD) of the sheet and interconnected by way of (ii) a plurality of lower local basis weight linking regions that each extend a distance in the machine direction (MD) of the sheet and whose fiber orientation is biased along the direction between pileated regions interconnected thereby. The relative basis weight, degree of pileation, hardwood to softwood ratio, fiber length distribution, fiber orientation, and geometry of the reticulum are controlled such that the sheet exhibits a percent CD stretch that is at least about 2.75 times the machine direction to cross-machine direction (MD/CD) dry tensile ratio of the sheet.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for producing transgenic plants. In specific embodiments, transgenic plants comprise a construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1, operably linked to a plant-specific promote, wherein the CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 is ectopically overexpressed in the transgenic plants, and wherein the promoter is optionally a constitutive or inducible promoter. In other embodiments, transgenic plants in which express a lower level of CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 are provided. Also provided herein are commercial products (e.g., pulp, paper, paper products, or lumber) derived from the transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic trees) produced using the methods provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing nanostructured paper or board and a novel paper or board. The method comprises providing a liquid suspension of nanocellulose-containing material, forming a web from the suspension and drying the web in order to form paper or board. According to the invention, the water content of the suspension at the time of beginning of the drying is 50% or less by weight of liquids so as to form a paper or board having an average pore size between 200 and 400 nm. By means of the invention, very opaque paper, for example for printing applications, can be manufactured with low energy consumption.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modifying lignin, cellulose, xylan, and hemicellulose content in plants, and for achieving ectopic lignification and, for instance, secondary cell wall synthesis in pith cells, by altered regulation of a WRKY transcription factor. Nucleic acid constructs for altered WRKY-TF expression are described. Transgenic plants are provided that comprise modified pith cell walls, and lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose content. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops.

Abstract: A process for producing a water-absorbent high-porosity fibrous matrix from lignocellulosic raw materials, comprising wet mechanical processing of the raw material, drying, and then dry mechanical processing the fibers to provide a fibrous matrix is provided. The high-porosity fibrous matrix and absorbent articles prepared therefrom are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a paper or paper board, in which method cut pulp is prepared by cutting basic cellulosic fiber pulp at the consistency of at least 25% so that the average fiber length of the basic pulp is decreased by more than 25% and the SR number of the cut pulp is at most 20% higher than that of the basic pulp, and the cut pulp is used as a raw material in the preparation of a stock.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for producing transgenic plants. In specific embodiments, transgenic plants comprise a construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1, operably linked to a plant-specific promote, wherein the CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 is ectopically overexpressed in the transgenic plants, and wherein the promoter is optionally a constitutive or inducible promoter. In other embodiments, transgenic plants in which express a lower level of CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 are provided. Also provided herein are commercial products (e.g., pulp, paper, paper products, or lumber) derived from the transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic trees) produced using the methods provided herein.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a paper making part for a loudspeaker has freedom of adjusting a characteristic and a sound quality, and has a higher productivity. Accordingly, a fibrillating step of a paper making material is achieved by an explosive crushing step. Alternatively, the step is achieved by a mixing step of a paper making material and a liquid, a material micro-fabricating step of applying a pressure to a mixed solution obtained by the mixing step so as to pass through an orifice and thereafter run into a device wall, and a paper making step including the micro-fabricated material.

Abstract: Polymer-containing articles of manufacture that provide one or more superior properties, such as soil adsorption properties, mirror cleaning properties, and/or absorption properties, compared to known polymer-containing articles of manufacture, are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotide sequences isolated from plants encoding transcription factors. Polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides are also provided. Products and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: Segments, typically ceramic, for use in dewatering blades for papermaking and similar machines comprise lower surfaces to each of which at least one interlock member is bonded. The segments are installed by inserting the interlock members into a channel in an intermediate sub-assembly or base member. The members are securely attached within the channel by a suitable adhesive, or clip means to engage the interlock members, with the optional addition of an adhesive. The segments and dewatering blades, and a method of manufacture, allows for the segments to be made as flat units, without unnecessary angular surfaces, simplifies their attachment to the base, and reduces the occurrence of stress cracking or other damage to the segments. A single segment can be used in various dewatering blade types and in more than one orientation in dewatering blades, reducing manufacturing costs by unitizing construction.