Efforts for the Practical Use of Cellulose Nanofibers

-The Development of Functional Additives-

Abstract

As a comprehensive biomass industry, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. tries to develop various new business areas making the most of woody biomass. As one of the new use of cellulose, we focus on production and development of various applications of cellulose nanofibers (CNF). We examine the use of CNF not only for functioned nanocomposite (with resin or rubber etc.) utilizing its high fiber strength and low thermal expansion, also for an optical film utilizing its high transparency and for a catalyst carrier or the absorbent utilizing its high surface area. Among those uses, because the use of CNF as functional additives such as thickener or dispersant is a similar use as existing carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), early commercialization is expected. In this report, as the example of the effort for commercialization we present the development of CNF as functional additives. And the production method of CNF, the solidification technology for practical use and CNF's various characteristics as additives are reported.