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Non-woven production enhancement developments. Group work result Otaniemi 29.9.2010. Main objective of FuBio (unchanged). The main objective of FuBio is to establish, in Finland, a world-leading competence platform in the field of wood biorefinery R&D
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Non-woven production enhancement developments Group work result Otaniemi 29.9.2010
Main objective of FuBio (unchanged) • The main objective of FuBiois to establish, in Finland, a world-leading competence platform in the field of wood biorefinery R&D • Focus of FuBio: Novel value chains, in which wood is refined into new materials & chemicals • A competence platform comprises many attributes, like people, business concepts, processing technologies, R&D and testing facilities, networking, etc. 2
Product group: Non Woven: production enhancement / related business possibilities Describe the refining chain (i.e. set of processes) from cellulose pulp to the selected product group (dissolution or partial dissolution of cellulose is a must) process 1, process 2, process 3, xx Generate a “light road map” of what must be done (bottlenecks) in order to make the selected refining chain ready for commercial production-scale Xx Identify the role of the new FuBio program in trying to remove these bottlenecks (Note: A SHOK programs is not removing all the hurdles) Xx In respect to the FuBio tasks (previous question), identify where the Forestcluster partners do not have competences (= cooperation needs) Xx 3
Group work discussions • What limits the usage of viscose fiber? • Strength • Processability • Water absorption • Fiber dimensions enhancements • Possibilities of bi-component fibers? • Cellulosic based fiber coating technologies / binders that are environmentally sound • We should take time and understand the current and future needs better • What are the limiting factors of using products that are in the pipeline • Nanowhiskers • Long cellulose particle like “polymerstack” type of products Source:
Group work discussions • Non dissolving products’ usability in current processes? • Fiber based carrying surfaces? • Non water soluble approaches • What is between pulp and dissolution? Ways to use the product “in between” • Different products need different fibers • Flexibility and easy fiber modification as a competitive advance? • Properties that compete and can replace synthetic fibers and cotton need to be developed • Possible new non-woven technologies that overcome the deficiencies of viscose fiber • Cheap solutions for bulk markets for dissolving pulp or viscose applications • Cost out vs. Value in approach Source:
Group work discussions • Replacement of harmful chemicals from non woven production • New properties like anti bacterial fibers for certain markets • Other industry applications that non woven • Micro crystalline cellulose usage GE products as an example? • Screens, semiconductors, colors with cellulose crystals • MCC applications outside of current fields • More energy efficient viscose fibers / or production to match • Improved line speeds with improved products • Mixture optimization possibilities for non woven • Possibilities in thermal bonding • Bicomponents / other solutions • Cellulose acetate coatings Source:
Summary of the work group • There are huge amount of non woven production technologies • The WP should aim at certain focused alternatives • Value in and cost out are both possible targets for various WP’s • Substitution economics approach to replace oil and cotton based alternatives • Market potential is huge (Ahlstrom uses 8% currently) • Enhanced fiber properties and functionalities seem to have interesting opportunities Source:
Conclusions Planning process • Identifying the most important market possibilities in non woven applications • Opportunity recognition • Air laid, carded, spun bond, melt blown, wet laid: which is the most interesting market • Fiber development options for better process ability or functionality • Better strength, diversity in fiber properties, enhanced features (unique selling point development) • New production technology development that matches / compensates the deficits • Totally other uses, like GE usage of NCC • Working projects on special applications to match with these identified needs • Projects should be divided into cost out vs. value added Source: