Abstract: A methyl ethyl hydroxyalkyl cellulose (MEHEC), process for making the MEHEC, and a powder containing the MEHEC are disclosed. The MEHEC is provided with a DSmethyl from 1.5 to 2.5, a DSethyl from 0.005 to 0.15, and a MSalkylene-oxide from 0.005 to 0.2. The methyl ethyl hydroxyalkyl cellulose optionally includes an anti-oxidant. The MEHEC optionally does not have a combination of a DSmethyl of 2.2 or 1.8, a DSethyl of 0.05 or 0.1, and a MSalkylene-oxide of 0.1 and does not have a combination of a DSmethyl of 2.5 or 2.0, a DSethyl of 0.1, and a MSalkylene-oxide of 0.05. The MEHEC has very good biostability and is suitable for use in the building industry.

Abstract: Provided is a novel manufacturing method whereby a carboxymethylated cellulose nanofiber dispersion having high tarnasparency can be obtained economically. In carboxymethylation of cellulose in the present invention, mercerization is performed in water as the main solvent, after which carboxymethylation is performed in a solvent mixture of water and an organic solvent, By defibrating the resultant carboxymethylated cellulose, a carboxymethylated cellulose nanofiber dispersion having high transparency can be obtained economically.

Abstract: There are provided a method for efficiently producing a water-soluble cellulose ether without using a special apparatus, and a novel water-soluble cellulose ether. More specifically, there are provided a method for producing a water-soluble cellulose ether including a first pulverization step of pulverizing a starting water-soluble cellulose ether to obtain a first pulverization product, and a first sieving step of sieving the first pulverization product by using a first sieve whose mesh surface is coated with an inorganic metal compound to obtain a first-sieve-passed water-soluble cellulose ether fraction; and a novel water-soluble cellulose ether.

Abstract: Provided is a method of stably producing a water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether powder having a high bulk density at low cost by adding a minimum amount of water. More specifically provided is a method for producing a water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether powder, comprising the steps of: reacting alkali cellulose with an etherifying agent to obtain a reaction product; washing and draining the reaction product to obtain a water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether; mixing the water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether with such an amount of water of 70° C. or higher as to make a water content of the water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether become 55 to 90% by weight to obtain a water-containing water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether having a water content of 55 to 90% by weight; cooling the water-containing water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether; and drying and pulverizing the cooled water-containing water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether.

Abstract: Modified cellulose fibers, wherein each of (A) one or more substituents selected from substituents represented by the following general formula (1) and substituents represented by the following general formula (2): —CH2—CH(OH)—R1 (1); —CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—(OA)n-O—R1 (2), wherein each R1 in the general formula (1) and the general formula (2) is independently a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms and 30 or less carbon atoms; n in the general formula (2) is a number of 0 or more and 50 or less; and A is a linear or branched, divalent saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 or more carbon atoms and 6 or less carbon atoms, and (B) a substituent represented by the following general formula (3): —CH2—CH(OH)—R2 (3), wherein R2 in the general formula (3) is an alkyl group having 1 or more carbon atoms and 2 or less carbon atoms, is independently bonded to cellulose fibers via an ether bond, wherein the modified cellulose fibers have a cellulose I crystal structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating constipation and compositions useful in said method. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose having high elastic modulus coupled with high absorbance capacity when swollen in simulated gastric fluid/water (1:8) and simulated intestinal fluids.

Abstract: Provided herein are formaldehyde-free flame retardant compositions, comprising a flame retardant acid and a fixing agent; and methods of their use for manufacturing durable formaldehyde-free flame retardant cellulosic materials. Also provided herein are durable formaldehyde-free flame retardant cellulosic materials and articles comprising the same.

Abstract: A cellulose resin produced by binding cardanol or a derivative thereof to cellulose or a derivative thereof with the use of a cellulose hydroxy group of the cellulose or a derivative thereof and the phenolic hydroxy group of the cardanol or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an alkali cellulose with suppressed decrease in the degree of polymerization as well as with small use amount of a basic compound, and to a method for producing a cellulose ether by using the alkali cellulose thus obtained. Provided by the present invention are: (A) a method for producing an alkali cellulose, comprising Step 1 wherein a cellulose-containing raw material is pulverized in the presence of 0.6 to 1.

Abstract: A process for making a hydrogel forming material from an unbleached cellulose pulp comprised of isolating pulp fines from the cellulose pulp by screening and/or dissolved air filtration, reacting the isolated pulp fines with alkaline hydroxide to form an alkali cellulose composition, preparing a heterogeneous mixture of the alkali cellulose composition and an etherifying agent, and optionally organic cross-linking agent, and reacting the components of the mixture to produce a hydrogel forming material. A polyvalent metal cross-linking agent can optionally be reacted with the hydrogel forming material to enhance its gel strength.

Abstract: The amount of water-insoluble fibers in a water-soluble cellulose derivative is reduced in a process comprising the steps of a) providing a water-soluble cellulose derivative having a residual amount of at least 20 ppm by weight of water-insoluble fibers in a 2 weight percent aqueous solution of the water-soluble cellulose derivative; b) mixing the water-soluble cellulose derivative of step a) with a liquid in a compounder to provide a moist water-soluble cellulose derivative having a temperature of at least 50 C and a moisture content of from 35 to 90 percent, based on the total weight of the moist cellulose derivative; and c) drying-grinding the mixture of step b) in a gas-swept impact mill to obtain a dried and ground cellulose derivative.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aqueous compositions for use in the manufacture of capsule shells endowed with bulk enteric properties. The present disclosure also relates, in part, to aqueous dispersions suitable for the implementation of said manufacturing process, and to enteric capsule shells and hard capsules obtained therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of alkali cellulose for the production of alkali cellulose and, optionally, cellulose ethers from cellulose in the presence of alkali and, if applicable, with alkylating and/or hydroxyalkylating agent(s) comprising the reaction of a cellulose with an alkali metal hydroxide, wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is mixed with cellulose in a mixing apparatus, the mixing apparatus (1) having an upper region (20, 102a, 202a) with a first cross-section and a lower region (21, 102b, 202b) with a second cross-section, the second cross-section being the same as or smaller than the first cross-section and comprising at least one non-horizontally oriented mixing device (23, 27, 121, 221, 224).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for producing a very low viscosity cellulose ether having little or no discoloration and cellulose ether products resulting therefrom. The method includes contacting a cellulose ether with an oxidizing agent and an acid to form a mixture. The mixture is then heated and neutralized. The method includes adding a second oxidizing agent to the mixture and forming a very low viscosity cellulose ether having a viscosity from 1.2 cP to less than 2 cP. The very low viscosity ether may also have an APHA color value of 1 to 100.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for selectively producing a cellulose ether derivative with a very high reaction efficiency of an organohalide compound. There is provided a process for producing a cellulose ether derivative such as carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose in which a low-crystalline powdery cellulose having a crystallinity of 50% or less is reacted with an organohalide compound such as ethylene chlorohydrin, a monohaloacetic acid and a salt of the monohaloacetic acid in the presence of a base.

Abstract: A process for producing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) involves providing a cellulosic material, contacting the cellulosic material with an inorganic persulfate at an elevated temperature to produce CNCs, and recovering the CNCs. The process permits one-step production of CNCs from vegetative biomasses such as flax and hemp. Cellulose nanocrystals produced by the process with carboxylic groups are more uniform and have higher aspect ratios than CNCs produced by prior art processes.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing nonionic water-soluble cellulose ether having low insoluble content and providing a transparent solution. More specifically, provided is a method for preparing nonionic water-soluble cellulose ether comprising at least the steps of: drying a pulp sheet or pulp chips into which the pulp sheet has been converted, bringing the dried pulp sheet or pulp chips into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain alkali cellulose, draining the alkali cellulose, and reacting the drained alkali cellulose with an etherifying agent.

Abstract: The invention is a method for efficiently preparing alkali cellulose having a uniform alkali distribution therein. More specifically, the invention is a method for preparing alkali cellulose comprising steps of bringing pulp into continuous contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution in a rotary feeder type contactor to generate a contact mixture, and draining the contact mixture; and a method for preparing cellulose ether comprising use of the alkali cellulose thus prepared; an apparatus for preparing alkali cellulose, comprising a rotary feeder comprising a cyclic housing comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, a cyclic contact drum being circularly rotatable along the housing in the housing and comprising a plurality of filter cells arranged in a circumferential direction, and a filtrate-discharging tube being disposed in a diameter direction inside of the cyclic contact drum and collecting the filtrate which has passed the filter, and a drainer for draining a cake discharged from the contactor.

Abstract: The invention is a method for efficiently preparing alkali cellulose having a uniform alkali distribution therein. More specifically, the invention is a method for preparing alkali cellulose comprising steps of bringing pulp into continuous contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution in a pipe type contactor to generate a contact mixture and draining the contact mixture; a method for preparing cellulose ether comprising use of the alkali cellulose; and an apparatus for preparing alkali cellulose, comprising a pipe type contactor having at least one inlet port at one end thereof for introducing pulp and an alkali metal hydroxide solution, and an outlet port at the other end for discharging a contact mixture, wherein the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution are moved from one end to the other end while bringing them into contact with each other, and a drainer for separating a cake from the contact mixture discharged from the contactor.

Abstract: A composition comprising starch, a biogum and water subjected to heat, shearing and optionally depolymerization is provided which is useful as a stable high solids dispersion useful in various applications including as wet-end additives for paper making.

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stable aqueous slurry composition comprising clay or clay-like material, hydrophobically associative polymer, and optionally a surfactant; and a method of inhibiting the deposition of organic contaminants in pulp and papermaking applications.

Abstract: A cellulose derivative and a resin composition having good thermoplasticity, strength, and elongation at break and therefore suited to molding processing are provided. The cellulose derivative is derived by replacing at least part of the hydrogen atoms of the hydroxyl groups of cellulose with a hydrocarbon group and an aliphatic or aromatic oxycarbonyl group.

Abstract: A cellulose resin produced by binding cardanol or a derivative thereof, and a flexible component to cellulose or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Novel aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharide compositions containing pendant dialdehyde groups are described that are more stable in aqueous solution than oxidized polysaccharides. The aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharides may be reacted with various amine-containing polymers to form hydrogel tissue adhesives and sealants that may be useful for medical applications such as wound closure, supplementing or replacing sutures or staples in internal surgical procedures such as intestinal anastomosis and vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, preventing leakage of fluids such as blood, bile, gastrointestinal fluid and cerebrospinal fluid, ophthalmic procedures, drug delivery, and preventing post-surgical adhesions.

Abstract: Novel aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharide compositions are described that are more stable in aqueous solution than oxidized polysaccharides or other types of polysaccharides containing pendant aldehyde groups. The aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharides may be reacted with various amine-containing polymers to form hydrogel tissue adhesives and sealants that may be useful for medical applications such as wound closure, supplementing or replacing sutures or staples in internal surgical procedures such as intestinal anastomosis and vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, preventing leakage of fluids such as blood, bile, gastrointestinal fluid and cerebrospinal fluid, ophthalmic procedures, drug delivery, and preventing post-surgical adhesions.

Abstract: A method of producing silane-modified cationized cellulose that has excellent aqueous dispersibility, including: a step (1) of cationizing water-soluble cellulose ether in a presence of alkali in a mixed solvent of a water-compatible organic solvent to obtain slurry comprising cationized cellulose; a step (2) of adding acid to said slurry and neutralizing said alkali; a step (3) of reacting said cationized cellulose obtained after said neutralization with an aminosilane compound and a step (4) of drying the obtained slurry, wherein: drying is conducted in step (4) at 115-160° C. until weight loss on drying is 5% by weight or less, or there is also including a step (5) of adding a water-compatible organic solvent or a mixed solvent of a water-compatible organic solvent and water to the cationized cellulose after the neutralization so that water content in a whole solvent that contacts the cationized cellulose is 10% by mass or less.

Abstract: A process for reducing the average molecular weight of a cellulose ether comprises the step of contacting a cellulose ether with an acid to partially depolymerize it to a lower molecular weight in a diluent comprising at least 50 weight percent of an organic hydroxylic compound having at least one hydroxy group and at least two carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a simple and new method for the homogeneous synthesis of cellulose ethers. Ionic liquids are not only used as solvent, but also as reaction media for the homogeneous etherification of cellulose. The dissolved cellulose is treated with the etherification agent in the absence of organic and/or inorganic bases and in the absence and/or in the presence of moderate amounts of water. The obtained cellulose ethers show new distributions of substitution on the polymer chain, resulting in new properties and applications.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing cellulose ether which is transparent as dissolved in water and has low water-insoluble content. More specifically, provided are a method for preparing alkali cellulose comprising a contact step of bringing a pulp sheet having a pore volume of 1.0 ml/g or greater, or chips into which the pulp sheet has been converted, into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain an alkali cellulose reaction mixture, and a drain step of draining the alkali cellulose reaction mixture; and a method for preparing water-soluble cellulose ether comprising a step of reacting the alkali cellulose with an etherifying agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-soluble associative cellulose ether having a DP viscosity from 250 to 20,000 mPa·s, measured at a concentration of 1% by weight, and a molecular substitution, MS, from 0.0001 to 0.005 of a hydrophobic substituent containing an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group of 8-24 carbon atoms. The cellulose ether has a good thickening effect and advantageous application properties at low contents and can be used in an aqueous decorative paint composition, an aqueous paper coating composition, an aqueous organic filler composition, an aqueous cement slurry, an aqueous detergent composition or an aqueous personal care formulation.

Abstract: A process for treating a polysaccharide with a dialdehyde in the presence of from 10 to 40 weight percent of water, based on the total weight of polysaccharide and water, is beneficially conducted in a mixing device characterized by a FROUDE number FRw of larger than 11, wherein ?w is the angular frequency in sec-1 and is defined as 2*?*RPM/60, RPM is the rotational speed of the mixing device in revolutions per minute, Rw is the radius of the mixing device in m, and g is the acceleration due to gravity in m/s2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for efficiently producing methyl cellulose in an industrially convenient manner. The production process of the present invention includes the step of reacting cellulose with methanol in a subcritical state.

Abstract: The present invention is cellulose nanofibers having an average polymerization degree of 600 to 30000, an aspect ratio of 20 to 10000, an average diameter of 1 nm to 800 nm, and an I?-type crystal peak in an X-ray diffraction pattern.

Abstract: A water-soluble cellulose ether is separated from its suspension by passing a suspension of water-soluble cellulose ether particles in water through a filter of perforated metallic or ceramic filter medium under pressure, removing the filter cake of water-soluble cellulose ether from the filter medium, and cleaning the filter medium with steam, compressed air or water under pressure. The invention enables to separate a water-soluble cellulose ether, especially having a high dissolution temperature, avoids the filter from being clogged, and extends the operative time of the filter.

Abstract: A degree of polymerization of cellulose ether is accurately controlled, and quality and a manufacturing process of the cellulose ether are stabilized. There is provided a method for producing depolymerized alkali cellulose having a degree of polymerization controlled, comprising at least a step of depolymerizing, in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas flow, alkali cellulose obtained by bringing a pulp into contact with an alkali solution, while measuring feeding and discharging amounts of oxygen in the oxygen-containing gas flow. There is also provided a method for producing cellulose ether, comprising at least a step of adding an etherifying agent to the depolymerized alkali cellulose having a degree of polymerization controlled.

Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently preparing alkali cellulose having a uniform alkali distribution. More specifically, provided are a methods for preparing alkali cellulose comprising a contact filtration step of bringing a pulp into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution on a moving filtration plane for vacuum filtration to collect a contact product remaining on the filtration plane, and a draining step of draining the contact product; and a method of preparing cellulose ether by using the alkali cellulose. Also provided is an apparatus for preparing alkali cellulose comprising a continuous horizontal vacuum filter type contactor.

Abstract: A non-crosslinked, nonionic, water-soluble cellulose ether having a syneresis value of at least 25% by weight in which the hydrogen atom of a hydroxyl group is substituted by a C6-C26 alkyl halide, monoepoxide or monoisocyanate is useful as a binder in ceramic extrusion molding.

Abstract: Compositions comprising carboxypolysaccharides (CPS) including carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are provided where the PEG is a PEG-epoxide covalently linked to the CPS. In certain embodiments, the PEG attaches to only one CPS, forming a decorated CPS. In other embodiments, bi-functional PEG molecules are attached to adjacent CPSs, thereby forming a covalently cross-linked composition. Additional embodiments include PEG/CMC compositions where the PEG is a multi-branch PEG and/or a multi-arm PEG. PEG/CMC compositions can be made with desired viscoelastic properties, and such compositions can be used as space-filling materials, load-bearing materials, anti-adhesion compositions, drug delivery vehicles or lubrication of tissues and medical instruments.

Abstract: A composition of a loose mass of comminuted raw cotton linter fibers has a bulk density of at least 8 g/100 ml and at least 50% of the fibers in the mass passes through a US standard sieve size #10 (2 mm opening). This composition is made by obtaining a loose mass of first cut, second cut, third cut, or mill runs raw cotton linters or mixtures thereof and comminuting the loose mass of raw cotton linters to a size wherein at least 50% pass through a US standard sieve size #10 (2 mm opening). This composition is used to make cellulose ether derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing hydroxyalkyl cellulose derivatives having improved enzymatic resistance. In particular, the present invention relates to a process of preparing hydroxyalkyl cellulose derivatives by reacting cellulose and ethylene oxide in the presence of alkali metal hydroxide, wherein the reaction between cellulose and ethylene oxide is performed in the presence of isopropyl alcohol azeotropic solvent in a horizontally agitated reactor, wherein the ethylene oxide is supplied via two steps, thus resulting in a two-step reaction, and the amount of alkali metal hydroxide remaining after the first reaction is controlled, thereby enabling to provide hydroxyalkyl cellulose derivatives having improved enzymatic resistance and turbidity and to remarkably decrease the solvent usage to have economical and environmental advantages.

Abstract: Novel aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharide compositions are described that are more stable in aqueous solution than oxidized polysaccharides or other types of polysaccharides containing pendant aldehyde groups. The aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharides may be reacted with various amine-containing polymers to form hydrogel tissue adhesives and sealants that may be useful for medical applications such as wound closure, supplementing or replacing sutures or staples in internal surgical procedures such as intestinal anastomosis and vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, preventing leakage of fluids such as blood, bile, gastrointestinal fluid and cerebrospinal fluid, ophthalmic procedures, drug delivery, and preventing post-surgical adhesions.

Abstract: A new method to produce formulations of bacterial cellulose that exhibit improved viscosity-modifying properties particularly with low energy applied to effectuate viscosity changes therewith is provided. Such a method includes the novel co-precipitation with a water soluble co-agent that permits precipitation in the presence of excess alcohol to form an insoluble fiber that can than be utilized as a thickener or suspension aid without the need to introduce high energy mixing. Such bacterial cellulose properties have been available in the past but only through highly labor and energy intensive processes. Such an inventive method as now proposed thus provides a bacterial cellulose-containing formulation that exhibits not only properties that are as effective as those for previous bacterial celluloses, but, in some ways, improvements to such previous types. Certain end-use compositions and applications including these novel bacterial cellulose-containing formulations are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regenerating or derivatizing cellulose. The process comprises the steps of providing a source of unrefined cellulose, and dissolving the unrefined cellulose in a molten inorganic salt. The source of unrefined cellulose may be a biomass, such as wood. The process permits the regeneration or derivatization of cellulose having a high degree of polymerization.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing alkali cellulose having alkali distributed uniformly therein. A uniform alkali distribution in the alkali cellulose makes it possible to prepare cellulose ether which has been substituted uniformly in an etherification reaction step. The resulting cellulose ether does not contain a floating water-insoluble portion which will otherwise appear owing to insufficient substitution. More specifically, provided are a method for preparing alkali cellulose, comprising simultaneously feeding pulp powder and an aqueous alkali solution to a high speed disperser to continuously bring them into contact with each other and a method for preparing cellulose ether, comprising reacting the resulting alkali cellulose with an etherifying agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of methylhydroxypropylcellulose (MHPC) and the use thereof in mineral-bound building material systems, preferably in gypsum-bound building material systems, particularly preferably in gypsum machine plaster.

Abstract: Synthetic polysaccharides are disclosed containing 8-24 monosaccharide units made up of a concatenation of disaccharides consisting of a uronic acid and a hexose, wherein the hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharides are etherified with a C1-6 alkyl group or esterified in the form of a sulpho group, each disaccharide being at least monoetherified; and salts thereof, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for selectively producing a cellulose ether derivative with a very high reaction efficiency of an organohalide compound. There is provided a process for producing a cellulose ether derivative such as carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose in which a low-crystalline powdery cellulose having a crystallinity of 50% or less is reacted with an organohalide compound such as ethylene chlorohydrin, a monohaloacetic acid and a salt of the monohaloacetic acid in the presence of a base.

Abstract: A method of grafting galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers, preferably guar, to a functional group by irradiation with high energy electron beams in the presence of an unsaturated monomer-compressing the described functional group. The method may include the depolymerization of the grafted polymer to a pre-selected low molecular weight. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is also depolymerized, preferably to a molecular weight of below about 700,000 Daltons, and most preferably to a molecular weight of between about 100,000 Daltons to about 250,000 Daltons. The depolymerized guar most preferably has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.

Abstract: A contact lens (4) comprises a solid component capable of imparting shape and structure to said lens, and a liquid component, at least partially contained in the solid component, capable of favouring the compatibility between said lens and the eye of a user of said lens, wherein the liquid component comprises a solution capable of being used as a lachrymal substitute.