Methods of improving the re-dispersibility of dried or at least partially dried microfibrillated cellulose, methods of re-dispersing dried or at least partially dried microfibrillated cellulose, compositions comprising re-dispersed microfibrillated cellulose and the use of re-dispersed microfibrillated cellulose in an article, product or composition; and methods of improving the physical and/or mechanical properties of re-dispersed dried or partially dried microfibrillated cellulose.

Methods of improving the re-dispersibility of dried or at least partially dried microfibrillated cellulose, methods of re-dispersing dried or at least partially dried microfibrillated cellulose, compositions comprising re-dispersed microfibrillated cellulose and the use of re-dispersed microfibrillated cellulose in an article, product or composition; and methods of improving the physical and/or mechanical properties of re-dispersed dried or partially dried microfibrillated cellulose.

A process for pretreating reclaimed cotton fibers to be used in the production of molded bodies from regenerated cellulose characterized by effective metal redaction and adjustment of the degree of polymerization and brightness, including a metal removing stage and an oxidative bleaching stage of the reclaimed cotton fibers or pulp produced thereof. Reclaimed cotton fibers treated according to the described process may be used alone or in blends with conventional dissolving pulp as raw material for the production of molded bodies from regenerated cellulose. The process enables technically smooth, safe, and economically feasible spinning via the Viscose or Lyocell process, therefore, the current invention provides an efficient recycling pathway for cotton waste materials.

A process for pretreating reclaimed cotton fibers to be used in the production of molded bodies from regenerated cellulose characterized by effective metal redaction and adjustment of the degree of polymerization and brightness, including a metal removing stage and an oxidative bleaching stage of the reclaimed cotton fibers or pulp produced thereof. Reclaimed cotton fibers treated according to the described process may be used alone or in blends with conventional dissolving pulp as raw material for the production of molded bodies from regenerated cellulose. The process enables technically smooth, safe, and economically feasible spinning via the Viscose or Lyocell process, therefore, the current invention provides an efficient recycling pathway for cotton waste materials.

A recycled cellulose raw material and a method for recycling a cellulose raw material from blended textile waste with high reliability and yielding high raw material quality is shown, the method comprising the steps in the given order: providing the blended textile waste containing at least one cellulose component and at least one synthetic polymer component, treating the blended textile waste in a non-oxidizing aqueous treatment medium in order to degrade the at least one synthetic polymer component, whereby the treatment is carried out at a temperature between 100° C. and 200° C., and obtaining the recycled cellulose raw material from the treated blended textile waste.

A process for the manufacture of biodegradable plastic films in aqueous environment, starting from vegetal wastes in powder form includes dissolution at a temperature lower than 50° C. of waste material in form of a powder in an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, and transfer of the aqueous solution in a casting mould and evaporation of the aqueous solution, to yield the biodegradable plastic film. The total concentration of the hydrochloric acid is equal to or lower than 5% by weight. The aqueous solution may include acetic acid. The aqueous solution may also be filtered or centrifuged and/or subjected to dialysis against pure water.

The present invention is directed to a cellulosic fibre composition comprising regenerated cellulose and one or more additives, wherein

a) the cellulosic fibre composition is produced by injecting an aqueous alkaline spindope solution or suspension comprising dissolved cellulose in a concentration from about 5% to about 12% by weight of spindope and at least one of an additive and a nano-sized structured particulate filler through a nozzle into an alkaline coagulation bath forming cellulosic filaments; and

b) stretching or washing cellulosic filaments from a) in one or more stretching and washing baths forming a regenerated cellulosic fibre.

The present invention is directed to a cellulosic fibre composition comprising regenerated cellulose and one or more additives, wherein

a) the cellulosic fibre composition is produced by injecting an aqueous alkaline spindope solution or suspension comprising dissolved cellulose in a concentration from about 5% to about 12% by weight of spindope and at least one of an additive and a nano-sized structured particulate filler through a nozzle into an alkaline coagulation bath forming cellulosic filaments; and

b) stretching or washing cellulosic filaments from a) in one or more stretching and washing baths forming a regenerated cellulosic fibre.

A method for preparing stably dispersed cellulose nanofibers comprises the following steps: 1) mixing cellulose and an organic solvent, the percentage of the cellulose being 1% to 15% in weight; 2) adding an esterification agent into the resultant mixture of step 1), the molar ratio of the esterification agent to the cellulose being from 1:0.1 to 4; and 3) physically breaking the resultant mixture of step 2) until a suspension liquid with stably dispersed cellulose nanofibers of 2-1000 nm in diameter and 10-100 μm in length is obtained, an esterification reaction of hydroxyl group(s) on the surface of cellulose fibers occurring at the time of the breaking. Also disclosed are dispersed cellulose nanofibers with improved compatibility to the matrix than the untreated cellulose and an improved strength of the composite materials.

A method for preparing stably dispersed cellulose nanofibers comprises the following steps: 1) mixing cellulose and an organic solvent, the percentage of the cellulose being 1% to 15% in weight; 2) adding an esterification agent into the resultant mixture of step 1), the molar ratio of the esterification agent to the cellulose being from 1:0.1 to 4; and 3) physically breaking the resultant mixture of step 2) until a suspension liquid with stably dispersed cellulose nanofibers of 2-1000 nm in diameter and 10-100 μm in length is obtained, an esterification reaction of hydroxyl group(s) on the surface of cellulose fibers occurring at the time of the breaking. Also disclosed are dispersed cellulose nanofibers with improved compatibility to the matrix than the untreated cellulose and an improved strength of the composite materials.