Abstract: Cellulose particles treated with a bio-based surfactant can be compounded into a polymer composite having improved mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and/or tensile modulus. Treatment can be integrated into an industrial scale continuous cellulose particle production process, and the process provides one or more of reduced environmental impact, reduced energy consumption, reduced chemical consumption, reduced water consumption, reduced processing/operational cost, reduced capital investment, increased output, improved fiber dispersion in the polymer matrix and improved thermal degradation properties of the composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing loaded paper pulp for use in the manufacture of paper or paper board. At least one process stream containing a plurality of unrefined pulp fibers and at least one process stream of at least one filler are combined in a refiner to form a loaded paper pulp composition having a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers that are loaded with particles of the at least one filler.

Abstract: A paper product having improved printing characteristics and a method of making the paper product. This paper product has a fibrous substrate and top layer of surface enhanced pulp fibers that is integrally coupled to the top surface of the fibrous substrate. The paper product is produced by providing an aqueous slurry formed from a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and at least partially dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form the fibrous substrate. Subsequently, a surface treatment formed from an aqueous composition of water and surface enhanced pulp fibers is applied to the top surface of the fibrous substrate and thereafter the treated fibrous substrate is dried to form a paper product having enhanced printing characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing loaded paper pulp for use in the manufacture of paper or paper board. At least one process stream containing a plurality of unrefined pulp fibers and at least one process stream of at least one filler are combined in a refiner to form a loaded paper pulp composition having a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers that are loaded with particles of the at least one filler.

Abstract: A method of making a market pulp can include separating a slurry comprising a plurality of pulp fibers into at least first and second pulp feeds. The first pulp feed can be refined at least by, for each of one or more mechanical refiners, introducing the first pulp feed between two refining elements of the refiner and rotating at least one of the refining elements, each of the refining elements comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of grooves, where a width of each of the bars is less than or equal to 1.3 mm and a width of each of the grooves is less than or equal to 2.5 mm. The refiner(s) can consume at least 300 kWh per ton of fiber. The refined first pulp feed and second pulp feed, which is not refined, can be combined to produce a third pulp feed that can be dried.

Abstract: A paper product having improved printing characteristics and a method of making the paper product. This paper product has a fibrous substrate and top layer of surface enhanced pulp fibers that is integrally coupled to the top surface of the fibrous substrate. The paper product is produced by providing an aqueous slurry formed from a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and at least partially dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form the fibrous substrate. Subsequently, a surface treatment formed from an aqueous composition of water and surface enhanced pulp fibers is applied to the top surface of the fibrous substrate and thereafter the treated fibrous substrate is dried to form a paper product having enhanced printing characteristics.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to surface enhanced pulp fibers, various products incorporating surface enhanced pulp fibers, and methods and systems for producing surface enhanced pulp fibers. Various embodiments of surface enhanced pulp fibers have significantly increased surface areas compared to conventional refined fibers while advantageously minimizing reductions in length following refinement. The surface enhanced pulp fibers can be incorporated into a number of products that might benefit from such properties including, for example, paper products, paperboard products, fiber cement boards, fiber reinforced plastics, fluff pulps, hydrogels, cellulose acetate products, and carboxymethyl cellulose products. In some embodiments, a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers have a length weighted average fiber length of at least about 0.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to surface enhanced pulp fibers, various products incorporating surface enhanced pulp fibers, and methods and systems for producing surface enhanced pulp fibers. Various embodiments of surface enhanced pulp fibers have significantly increased surface areas compared to conventional refined fibers while advantageously minimizing reductions in length following refinement. The surface enhanced pulp fibers can be incorporated into a number of products that might benefit from such properties including, for example, paper products, paperboard products, fiber cement boards, fiber reinforced plastics, fluff pulps, hydrogels, cellulose acetate products, and carboxymethyl cellulose products. In some embodiments, a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers have a length weighted average fiber length of at least about 0.

Abstract: A paper product having improved printing characteristics and a method of making the paper product. This paper product has a fibrous substrate and top layer of surface enhanced pulp fibers that is integrally coupled to the top surface of the fibrous substrate. The paper product is produced by providing an aqueous slurry formed from a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and at least partially dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form the fibrous substrate. Subsequently, a surface treatment formed from an aqueous composition of water and surface enhanced pulp fibers is applied to the top surface of the fibrous substrate and thereafter the treated fibrous substrate is dried to form a paper product having enhanced printing characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite material which finds widespread applicability in a variety of construction and related applications. The composite comprises cellulosic fibrous material in order to provide the composite with the desired performance characteristics. Notably, at least a portion of the cellulosic fibrous material comprises surfaced enhanced pulp fiber, which desirably enhances the processing characteristics of the material, as well enhancing the characteristics of the finished composite product. The method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite comprising the steps of providing a cementitious composition, and providing cellulosic fibrous material. The present method further includes blending the cementitious composition and the cellulosic fibrous material to form the cementitious composite.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to surface enhanced pulp fibers, various products incorporating surface enhanced pulp fibers, and methods and systems for producing surface enhanced pulp fibers. Various embodiments of surface enhanced pulp fibers have significantly increased surface areas compared to conventional refined fibers while advantageously minimizing reductions in length following refinement. The surface enhanced pulp fibers can be incorporated into a number of products that might benefit from such properties including, for example, paper products, paperboard products, fiber cement boards, fiber reinforced plastics, fluff pulps, hydrogels, cellulose acetate products, and carboxymethyl cellulose products. In some embodiments, a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers have a length weighted average fiber length of at least about 0.

Abstract: Lignin pellets comprising fused lignin are described herein. The lignin pellets may further comprise a processing aid, and/or a surfactant, and/or a chemical modifying agent, and/or a compatibilizer and/or a thermoplastic polymer. An extrusion process for producing the lignin pellets and their use in the manufacture of lignin thermoplastic blend products, polyols, polyphenols, polyaromatics and polyurethanes is also disclosed herein. The extruded lignin pellet may be dry-blended with additional thermoplastic and/or additive and then directly processed using processes such as injection molding, compression molding, extrusion, extrusion coating, blowing, thermoforming, stamping, foaming, fiber drawing, calendering or rolling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a paper product having Improved printing characteristics. This is achieved by forming a fibrous substrate, and applying a surface treatment which comprises an aqueous composition. Notably, the aqueous composition includes surface enhanced pulp fibers, with the placement of the surface enhanced pulp fibers optimizing their functionality, with surface placement by use of a paper machine size press desirably facilitating a reduction in the typical starch usage. The present method comprising the steps of providing a aqueous slurry comprising a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form a fibrous substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing high-purity lignin based aerogels and carbon aerogels having improved physical and operational properties. Such high-purity lignin based carbon aerogels can be formaldehyde free and can be used for a wide range of applications including supercapacitor electrodes for supercapacitor cells.

Abstract: This disclosure includes adhesive compositions comprising lignin, as well as methods of making such adhesive compositions, methods of making glyoxalated lignin or glyoxalating lignin-fiber mixtures, particularly glyoxalated kraft lignin, and methods of making lignocellulosic composite products including the present adhesive compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a paper product having Improved printing characteristics. This is achieved by forming a fibrous substrate, and applying a surface treatment which comprises an aqueous composition. Notably, the aqueous composition includes surface enhanced pulp fibers, with the placement of the surface enhanced pulp fibers optimizing their functionality, with surface placement by use of a paper machine size press desirably facilitating a reduction in the typical starch usage. The present method comprising the steps of providing a aqueous slurry comprising a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form a fibrous substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing loaded paper pulp for use in the manufacture of paper or paper board. At least one process stream containing a plurality of unrefined pulp fibers and at least one process stream of at least one filler are combined in a refiner to form a loaded paper pulp composition having a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers that are loaded with particles of the at least one filler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a paper product having improved printing characteristics. This is achieved by forming a fibrous substrate, and applying a surface treatment which comprises an aqueous composition. Notably, the aqueous composition includes surface enhanced pulp fibers, with the placement of the surface enhanced pulp fibers optimizing their functionality, with surface placement by use of a paper machine size press desirably facilitating a reduction in the typical starch usage. The present method comprising the steps of providing a aqueous slurry comprising a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form a fibrous substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to surface enhanced pulp fibers, various products incorporating surface enhanced pulp fibers, and methods and systems for producing surface enhanced pulp fibers. Various embodiments of surface enhanced pulp fibers have significantly increased surface areas compared to conventional refined fibers while advantageously minimizing reductions in length following refinement. The surface enhanced pulp fibers can be incorporated into a number of products that might benefit from such properties including, for example, paper products, paperboard products, fiber cement boards, fiber reinforced plastics, fluff pulps, hydrogels, cellulose acetate products, and carboxymethyl cellulose products. In some embodiments, a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers have a length weighted average fiber length of at least about 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite material which finds widespread applicability in a variety of construction and related applications. The composite comprises cellulosic fibrous material in order to provide the composite with the desired performance characteristics. Notably, at least a portion of the cellulosic fibrous material comprises surfaced enhanced pulp fiber, which desirably enhances the processing characteristics of the material, as well enhancing the characteristics of the finished composite product. The method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite comprising the steps of providing a cementitious composition, and providing cellulosic fibrous material. The present method further includes blending the cementitious composition and the cellulosic fibrous material to form the cementitious composite.