Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) (also referred to as NanoCellulose in the literature) has been known since the beginning of the 80´s. MFC is produced by delamination of cellulosic fibres in high-pressure homogenizers. A fully delaminated MFC consists of long (in the micrometer range) microfibrills (diameter =10-20 nm) and has the appearance of a highly viscous, shear-thinning transparent gel.

Commercialisation of MFC failed in the 80´s because of the high energy requirements (30,000 kWh/tonne) necessary to delaminate fibres. Subsequent, developments at Innventia has resulted in various fibre pre-treatment methods, by which the energy consumption can be reduced up to 98% (around 500 kWh/tonne).

Applications of MFC include both papermaking applications as well as a host of other applications. Paper/board applications include high filler load paper, surface sizing and coating applications, wet-end retention and strengthening adjuvants and in hygiene products.

Then there are applications in the area of nanocomposites, non-caloric food thickeners, emulsion/dispersion, oil recovery applications as well as cosmetic/pharmaceutical applications.

 

MFC gel