Nanocellulose can be used as additives in papermaking to make lighter and stronger paper and board. It can also be used in a variety of other applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and construction industry. This means that paper is given completely new properties and could replace plastics, for example, in many areas. More products could thus be produced from renewable and biodegradable raw material.
Innventia runs since 2010 a pilot plant for the production of nanocellulose at the research institute in Stockholm. By this establishment, sufficiently large amounts of nanocellulose could be manufactured for research and development addressing paper applications. In a unique collaboration between BillerudKorsnäs and Innventia, a mobile demonstration plant is now being built which makes it possible to produce nanocellulose on a large scale for use in full-scale trials on paper and board machines.
“Nanocellulose has a fantastic potential in paper applications as well is a number of other applications. This new project is exciting as it gives us the possibility to validate the potential in full scale,” says Mikael Ankerfors, Project manager, New Business Lab, BillerudKorsnäs.
“Innovation is at the core of our business model. To be part of this project and explore the potential of full scale production of nanocellulose is a perfect match with our mission to challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future,” says Magnus Wikström, SVP Strategic Development, BillerudKorsnäs.
“This is a very important step. The availability of test beds and demonstration plants are often crucial for up-scaling new processes resulting from our research and development,” says Anna Wiberg, Director of Business Development Materials Processes, Innventia.
