Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a resin composite that is excellent in water resistance and is capable of exerting sufficient strength even under wet conditions. The present invention relates to a resin composite comprising a resin, fibers having an ionic functional group, and a polyvalent ion. The fibers having an ionic functional group are preferably cellulose fibers having a fiber width of 1000 nm or less.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a resin composite that is excellent in water resistance and is capable of exerting sufficient strength even under wet conditions. The present invention relates to a resin composite comprising a resin, fibers having an ionic functional group, and a polyvalent ion. The fibers having an ionic functional group are preferably cellulose fibers having a fiber width of 1000 nm or less.

Abstract: A novel method is disclosed to make cellulose filaments (CF) from wood or other plant fibers with lower energy consumption. The method consists of multi-stage, high consistency refining, followed by low consistency refining or by low consistency, non-refining mechanical treatment, of wood or other plant fibers. The total specific refining energy for the multi-stage, high consistency refining is preferably 2,000-18,000 kWh/t, and more preferably 2,000-12,000 kWh/t. The CF produced can be used as a superior reinforcement additive in the production of paper, tissue or paperboard and in the production of plastic composites. It can also be used as a viscosity or rheology modifier in food products, coatings or drilling muds. The CF produced can also be used to make strong films for application in packaging and in composites.

Abstract: A process for producing absorbent materials includes reducing a banana tree stalk into separated fibers, pressing the separated fibers to generate pressed fibers having less than 50% moisture content by weight, reducing moisture content of the pressed fibers by applying infrared heating to produce pre-dried fibers, and applying a non-thermal drying process to generate dried fibers having less than 10% moisture content by weight for employment in an absorbent material that absorbs hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating biomass, comprising providing a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock; contacting the biomass feedstock in a mixture, which is formed by the biomass, water and an alkaline agent, with an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature; and continuing the contacting of the biomass feedstock with the oxidizing agent until a notable part of the lignin is solubilized. The step of providing the biomass feedstock comprises contacting a biomass raw-material containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in an aqueous phase with an alkaline agent; continuing the contacting of the biomass with the alkaline agent until a significant portion of the hemicellulose is dissolved in the aqueous phase to provide a modified biomass; recovering the modified biomass; optionally opening the structure of the modified biomass by mechanical treatment; and using the modified biomass as a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock.

Abstract: A method is provided for pre-treating biomasses, more particularly, for pre-treating biomasses intended for a biorefinery or similar facility for producing biofuels. The method comprises the steps of shredding the biomasses, removing foreign bodies contained in the biomasses upstream of the step of shredding, and soaking the biomasses by immersing the biomasses in water upstream or downstream of the shredding step. A plant for pre-treating biomasses is also provided. The plant comprises a shredding station for shredding biomasses, a station for removing foreign bodies from the biomasses upstream of the shredding station, and a soaking station for soaking the biomasses upstream or downstream of the shredding station.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to materials and methods for producing a wide range of raw materials from plant biomass. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides materials and methods for efficient decortication of plant biomass using a thermally regulated process to generate reactive oxygen species in the presence of a catalyst. Embodiments of the present disclosure address the need for improved methods with which to obtain a wide range of raw materials from plant biomass without the need for industrial decortication machines and without producing harmful industrial waste.

Abstract: A fibrous material reprocessing apparatus separates a cellulose pulp material into a fibrous material stream and a remainder stream. The fibrous material stream is treated in a grinder to reduce the size of the fibrous material. The reduced size fibrous material is then recombined with the remainder stream.

Abstract: A process for producing from a lignocellulosic raw material of (i) an intermediate product that is intended for the production of ethanol, containing polysaccharides, cellulose and hemicelluloses, and (ii) a product containing lignin in an aqueous solution without sulfur residue, this lignin could be precipitated. The process includes a step of pulping the raw material in an extruder at a temperature of between 60° C. and 180° C. and in the presence of a quantity of water that represents between 200% and 450% of the mass of said raw material and in the presence of a strong base at a concentration of between 0.5% and 4% relative to the volume of water.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and process in which pulp is produced using a chemical mechanical pulping process, during which lignocellulosic material undergoes fiberization without chemical impregnation. Chemical treatment of the lignocellulosic material is performed during or after fiberization of the material to become fiber bundles.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting biomass to fuels and/or valuable chemicals. The process comprises the steps of a) activating biomass to make it more susceptible to conversion; c) partially converting the biomass to a solubilized material; and d) subjecting the unconverted biomass to a second conversion step. The process optionally comprises a step b) of adding a solvent to the activated biomass. In a preferred embodiment the solubilized biomass obtained in step c) is removed before the unconverted biomass is subjected to step d).

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: A method of producing hardwood pulp is provided. This method comprises treating hardwood chips with one or more than one Family 11 xylanase enzyme in the absence of adding an oxidizing enzyme for about 5 minutes to about 120 minutes, to produce a treated chip mixture. The treated chip mixture is then mechanically refined to produce the hardwood pulp.

Abstract: Provided is a method which comprises a process of having an anion-modified cellulose nanofiber dispersion contain monovalent or divalent metal ions. Consequently, the fluidity of an anion-modified cellulose nanofiber dispersion obtained thereby is improved.

Abstract: A system and method of producing both loose cellulose insulation and bonded fiber/cellulose insulation products utilizing shredded paper particles, including making shredded paper particles in a shredded paper particle line and diverting a portion of the shredded paper particles to a bonded fiber/cellulose product line whereby the shredded paper particle line forms an in-process production and delivery of shredded paper particles to the bonded fiber/cellulose product line. Moisture is added to the shredded paper particles at the bonded fiber/cellulose product line, and bonded fiber/cellulose insulation products are produced with the bonded fiber/cellulose product line from the diverted portion of shredded paper particles and loose cellulose insulation is produced from shredded paper particles that are not diverted from the shredded paper particle line.

Abstract: Paper comprised solely of a nonwood fiber mix is demonstrated to meet the technical physical specifications of commercially produced papers made from wood. The esthetically impressive paper meets nearly every technical specification of commercially produced paper.

Abstract: A process for treating cellulosic fibers comprises mechanically pre-treating the fibers followed by treating the fibers with an enzyme and thereafter mixing the fibers with a solution comprising an alkali metal hydroxide followed by mechanically treating the fibers to form microfibrillated cellulose. In this way it is possible to produce microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) in an improved and energy efficient way.

Abstract: A raw paper prepared by a mixed pulp including straw pulp, which can be used to prepare textbooks, writing papers and office paper with good performance, and the producing method of said raw paper are provided. The weight proportion of the straw pulp in the mixed stock is from 10% to 100%, and the straw pulp has a hardness of KMnO4 value 10-17, an average fiber length of 0.1-2.5 mm, a tensile index of 23-57 Nm/g, a tearing index of 3.0-6.0 mN·m2/g, a folding endurance index of 2-6 kPa·m2/g and a whiteness of 28-50%. Either, the L value of the hue of said raw paper is 65-95, a value is 0-5, and b value is 0-40. The KMnO4 value of hardness of the pulp after oxygen delignification is 10-14. The method includes: adding grass-series raw material into a digester, then adding cooking liquor, heating the cooking liquor to 100-200°, pressurizing to 0.3-0.9 MPa, cooking for 150-250 min, extruding the pulp, washing and obtaining the straw pulp.

Abstract: Methods of producing mechanical pulps from lignocellulosic material including partial defibration of lignocellulosic material in a chip press followed by liquid impregnation, preheating the lignocellulosic material for 20 seconds or less at a pressure between 7.5 and 12 bar (gauge) prior to mechanically refining the lignocellulosic material in a primary mechanical refiner at a pressure between 7.5 and 12 bar (gauge), thus obtaining a high freeness pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of microfibrillated cellulose wherein the process comprises the steps of, providing a slurry comprising fibers, adding the slurry to an extruder, treating the slurry in the extruder so that the fibers are defibrillated and microfibrillated cellulose is formed. The invention further relates to a microfibrillated cellulose produced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for exploiting coated paper products such as coated paper cups. End products include biofuels that have a high energy density. The biofuels may be mixed with coal or other fuels and have good binding characteristics. In some embodiments, useful chemicals such as HMF are produced. The methods involve heat treatment at relatively mild temperatures and pressures under acidic conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and process in which pulp is produced using a chemical mechanical pulping process, during which lignocellulosic material undergoes fiberization without chemical impregnation. Chemical treatment of the lignocellulosic material is performed during or after fiberization of the material to become fiber bundles.

Abstract: A method for producing thermomechanical or chemi-thermomechanical pulp is provided. The process is characterized as having a reduced specific energy demand during refining. The process involves processing a pretreated wood material using one or more high consistency refining steps to produce a first pulp, optionally applying a chelating agent to the first pulp during HC refining to produce a stabilized pulp and treating the first or stabilized pulp with an alkaline-peroxide liquor to produce a treated pulp. The treated pulp is then processed by one or more second low consistency refining steps. Alternatively, the first pulp or stabilized pulp may be divided into a primary and secondary stream. The primary stream is treated with alkaline-peroxide liquor to produce a treated pulp. The secondary stream is processed using a secondary HC refining step to produce a partially refined pulp, and removing latency of the partially refined pulp and the treated pulp is removed in a common location.

Abstract: An omnibus process of pulping and bleaching lignocellulosic materials in which a charge of a lignocellulosic material is biopulped and/or water extracted prior to pulping and bleaching. The lignocellulosic material may be mechanically pulped and bleached in the presence of an enzyme that breaks lignin-carbohydrate complexes. The aqueous extract in embodiments including a water extract step is separated into acetic acid and hemicellulose sugar aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for refining and reclaiming rejects in a sulfite pulping process. Wood chips and sulfite cooking liquor are provided to a digester for delignification. The slurry obtained from the digester is screened to obtain a reject portion containing sulfite rejects. The sulfite rejects are disintegrated in a refiner, such that the rejects are refined to a freeness suitable for digestion in a subsequent re-cooking step. Refined rejects are then returned to the digester for re-cooking with wood chips.

Abstract: A process for treating cellulosic fibers comprising pre-treating the fibers with an enzyme in a first enzymatic treatment followed by mechanical pre-treating the fibers in a first mechanical treatment and a second enzymatic treatment followed by a second mechanical treatment of the fibers to form micofibrillated cellulose. In this way it is possible to produce mircofibrillated cellulose (MFC) in an improved and energy efficient way.

Abstract: The present invention relates to paper that is produced by mixing bleached wood powder with natural wood pulp, thereby improving the dewaterability while reducing the amount of pulp used such that inexpensive and high-quality paper is provided. The wood material is subjected to a process in which it is milled and dried and is then sorted to smaller than a predetermined size and cleaned, the cleaned wood powder is bleached by being stirred for a predetermined time after having been introduced together with a bleaching agent, and the wood powder resulting from the bleaching is subjected to grinding processing and to a sorting and cleaning process, thereby producing bleached wood powder, and paper is produced by mixing from 5 to 20% by weight of the bleached wood powder with from 80 to 95% by weight of natural wood pulp and then subjecting the mixture to a paper-making process.

Abstract: A method of treating chemical pulp for the manufacture of microfibrillated cellulose includes the following steps: a) providing a hemicellulose containing pulp, b) refining the pulp in at least one step and treating the pulp with one or more wood degrading enzymes at a relatively low enzyme dosage, and c) homogenizing the pulp thus providing the microfibrillated cellulose. A microfibrillated cellulose obtainable by the method is also provided. The microfibrillated cellulose can be used in food products, paper products, composite materials, coatings or in rheology modifiers (e.g. drilling muds).

Abstract: A system for forming bonded fiber/cellulose products includes a shredded paper particle manufacturing line producing shredded paper particle-based products, such as insulation, a bonded fiber/cellulose product line, and a collector for collecting a portion of the shredded paper particles generated by the shredded paper particle line for the bonded fiber/cellulose product line.

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 mechanical pulping method including: defibrating a comminuted cellulosic material; mechanically refining the defibrated cellulosic material in a primary refining step; introducing to the cellulosic material at least one of a chemical agent and a biological during the defibration step or the mechanical refining step, and producing pulp from the refined and defibrated cellulosic material.

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: This invention provides a composition and method for improving a mechanical pulping process by decreasing freeness and amount of shives, providing energy and chemical savings, and enhancing brightness and mechanical strength of a paper product made from a pulp material in the process. The composition includes formulations, such as surfactants, chelants, hydrotropes, reductive and oxidative pulp modifiers, and pH-controlling chemicals. The method includes selectively introducing these formulations to the pulp material in the mechanical pulping process.

Abstract: A non-compression vessel, such as a digester, is employed for the chemical preconditioning of the chips followed by a fiberizing device to break the preconditioned chips down to fiber bundles, which are then washed before a high consistency chemical treatment. The digester may be one such as used in conventional chemical pulping of wood with or without screens for the extraction of chemical. If extracted this chemical could be recirculated to the digester with treatment in the circulation loop such as heating or the addition of dilution or other chemicals. This digester may be hydraulic or vapor phase (that is contain a vapor space within the digester), and operate in either a continuous or batch fashion. This digester allows for the discharge of material without the use of a screw mechanism. The digester treated material is then defiberized to convert the chips into course fiber bundles, which then is washed and dewatered.

Abstract: A process for treating cellulosic fibres comprises mechanically pre-treating the fibres followed by treating the fibres with an enzyme and thereafter mixing the fibres with a solution comprising an alkali metal hydroxide followed by mechanically treating the fibres to form microfibrillated cellulose. In this way it is possible to produce microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) in an improved and energy efficient way.

Abstract: A system for collecting ligno-cellulosic biomass over a large area to enable the commercial refining of biomass from 2,500 to in excess of 50,000 tons of biomass per day to produce ethanol or other products. The biomass is collected at a series of collection points and then transported through a network of conduit “loops” interconnecting each of the collection points and the central refining plant. The water used to transport the biomass, as a slurry, is recovered and sequentially recycled in the same pipeline system to push the biomass slurry around the system in a “loop.” The outgoing and return legs of each loop optionally are located adjacent each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for conversion of cellulosic material, such as chopped straw and corn stover, and household waste, to ethanol and other products. The cellulosic material is subjected to continuous hydrothermal pre-treatment without addition of chemicals, and a liquid and a fiber fraction are produced. The fiber fraction is subjected to enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification. The method of the present invention comprises: performing the hydrothermal pre-treatment by subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one soaking operation, and conveying the cellulosic material through at least one pressurized reactor, and subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one pressing operation, creating a fiber fraction and a liquid fraction; selecting the temperature and residence time for the hydrothermal pretreatment, so that the fibrous structure of the feedstock is maintained and at least 80% of the lignin is maintained in the fiber fraction.

Abstract: A method for producing thermomechanical or chemi-thermomechanical pulp is provided. The process is characterized as having a reduced specific energy demand during refining. The process involves processing a pretreated wood material using one or more high consistency refining steps to produce a first pulp, optionally applying a chelating agent to the first pulp during HC refining to produce a stabilized pulp and treating the first or stabilized pulp with an alkaline-peroxide liquor to produce a treated pulp. The treated pulp is then processed by one or more second low consistency refining steps. Alternatively, the first pulp or stabilized pulp may be divided into a primary and secondary stream. The primary stream is treated with alkaline-peroxide liquor to produce a treated pulp. The secondary stream is processed using a secondary HC refining step to produce a partially refined pulp, and removing latency of the partially refined pulp and the treated pulp is removed in a common location.

Abstract: A system for collecting ligno-cellulosic biomass over a large area to enable the commercial refining of biomass from 2,500 to in excess of 50,000 tons of biomass per day to produce ethanol or other products. The biomass is collected at a series of collection points and then transported through a network of conduit “loops” interconnecting each of the collection points and the central refining plant. The water used to transport the biomass, as a slurry, is recovered and sequentially recycled in the same pipeline system to push the biomass slurry around the system in a “loop”.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the conversion of solid biomass to liquid fuels and specialty chemicals. The process utilizes an activating step to make the biomass more susceptible to conversion, that is the biomass is broken down such that the components of the biomass are dissociated. Subsequently, the activated biomass undergoes a reaction to convert it to a bio-oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for enhancing a refiner's production rate and/or reducing the specific energy consumption for a freeness target through the use of lubricant(s) or carrier(s)/frictionizer(s), respectively.

Abstract: The present invention features a single aqueous solution that imparts acceptable levels of water resistance, fire resistance, mold resistance and pest resistance to wood, and which may be used in standard wood treatment techniques commonly utilized in the wood treatment industry. The aqueous solution contains a fire retardant, an insect and termite repellant, a mold inhibitor and a pH buffer.

Abstract: A method of making pulp adapted to be used in forming corrugating medium is disclosed. The method comprises cooking woodchips in a first liquor in the absence of an alkali addition. The method further comprises mechanically fiberizing the woodchips to form a pulp. The method further comprises separating hydrolyzate from the pulp. The method further comprises treating the pulp with a second liquor, the second liquor including at least one alkali. The method further comprises refining the pulp.

Abstract: There are provided a method for manufacturing a bamboo chip used to manufacture a natural fiber and a method for manufacturing a natural fiber using the bamboo chip. The method for manufacturing a bamboo chip includes steps of obtaining a soluble pulp from a bamboo chip; and manufacturing a rayon stable fiber from the soluble pulp using a viscose process as known in the prior art; and directly extracting only alpha-cellulose, in the form of fiber, from the bamboo chip by treating the bulky bamboo chip prepared in the present invention at a certain condition without undergoing a complicated process using raw materials for fiber articles as the rayon stable fiber. The alpha-cellulose in the form of fiber according to the present invention may be useful to apply to a variety of fields such as fibers, nonwoven fabrics and other sanitary articles, etc.

Abstract: A method of making pulp adapted to be used in forming corrugating medium is disclosed. The method comprises cooking woodchips in a first liquor in the absence of an alkali addition. The method further comprises mechanically fiberizing the woodchips to form a pulp. The method further comprises separating hydrolyzate from the pulp. The method further comprises treating the pulp with a second liquor, the second liquor including at least one alkali. The method further comprises refining the pulp.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bleached mechanical and chemithermomechanical pulp is provided, having enhanced bleaching effect, wherein lignocellulose material is passed through at least one preheater or through a chemical treatment system, a steam separator and a refiner where the lignocellulose material is converted into a pulp suspension which, after steam separation, is passed at least to a storage vessel and to a screening department, from which the major part of the pulp suspension is separated as a substantially finished product or is separated and further treated. The reductive bleaching agent is added to the advancing pulp suspension without a bleaching tower. The method is characterized by adding the bleaching agent at a location downstream of the refiner and upstream of the screening department, and by bleaching the pulp under drastic conditions of temperature and minimized oxygen access at the location and immediately downstream of the location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of bleached wood particles and a process for the production of pale to white wood-base materials which are produced from the bleached wood particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for functionalising carbohydrates, that comprises at least one step during which the carbohydrates react with an oxidizing agent in the presence of copper-phenanthroline complex. The invention more particularly relates to a method for functionalising cellulose fibers for the paper industry.

Abstract: A thermomechanical pulping method including: refining pulp with a high consistency refining stage, and a medium consistency refining stage processing the refined pulp discharge from the high consistency refining stage. Chemical pretreatments for improving pulp quality development during medium consistency refining can be optionally added at the pressurized chip press, fiberizer pre-refining step, primary high consistency refining step, and/or the standpipe feeding the medium consistency refiner.

Abstract: A method for treatment of chemical pulp for the manufacturing of microfibrillated cellulose includes the following steps: a) providing a hemicellulose containing pulp, b) refining the pulp in at least one step and treating the pulp with one or more wood degrading enzymes at a relatively low enzyme dosage, and c) homogenizing the pulp thus providing the microfibrillated cellulose. According to a second aspect of the invention a microfibrillated cellulose obtainable by the method according to the first aspect is provided. According to a third aspect of the invention, use of the microfibrillated cellulose according to the second aspect in food products, paper products, composite materials, coatings or in rheology modifiers (e.g. drilling muds) is provided.