Valuing cellulose filaments in innovative, sustainable, and renewable bioproducts

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Cellulose filaments (CF) are a new biomaterial generated by an innovative process discovered in Canada using wood pulp without further use of chemicals or enzymes and powered almost entirely by renewable energy. CF are versatile and have the potential to increase the strength, durability, and functionalities of many products, not all of which have been studied. This project aims to develop new applications for CF in agricultural bioproducts, antimicrobial tissue papers, and additives for concrete products while limiting their environmental impacts to provide competitive products with a lower carbon footprint. CF can be used as renewable and sustainable agricultural inputs such as microgreens substrate, biodegradable pots, and mulch films for local food production, contributing to food security and the growth of food self-sufficiency in Canada. The high specific surface of CF is expected to increase the retention of antibacterial and antiviral agents and improve the antimicrobial functionality of tissue papers for healthcare and hygienic products including masks. The grafting of antimicrobial natural biopolymer or complexes thereof on the CF will be studied. The antimicrobial technologies developed in the project are expected to provide effective and affordable solutions for a range of paper products of Kruger to meet the growing and long-term demand for healthcare and hygienic products. In construction, CF can help meet sustainability and resilience requirements in infrastructure systems, providing engineering cement-based products with improved durability and superior mechanical performance. As concrete is a high-carbon footprint product, high durability by adding CF can help reduce the carbon footprint of construction activities as a whole. Life cycle assessments of all CF bioproducts will also be carried out to identify their potential environmental impacts and to proceed with the improvement of these processes. Overall, research outcomes will allow the adaptation of pulp and paper and CF manufacturing processes for specific purposes and the technology transfer of new CF bioproducts to the market, while contributing to the diversity of the Canadian forest industry and promoting cleaner technologies for the future.