Embodiments described herein may take the form of a textile product having one or more regions of reduced density. These reduced density volumes may form one or more features in the product. For example, the reduced density volumes may have better acoustic transmission properties, optical transmission properties, flexibility, and the like. Sound transmission may be enhanced not only in terms of clarity, but also overall range. That is, certain audio frequencies that the textile may normally block when in an unaltered state may pass through a textile having reduced density or reduced density regions.

A 3D shaped product (20) is formed by hot pressing of an air-laid blank (10) comprising natural fibers at a concentration of at least 70% by weight of the air-laid blank and a thermoplastic polymer binder at a concentration selected within an interval of from 2.5 up to 30% by weight of the air-laid blank. The 3D shaped product (20) is recyclable in a repulping process. At least a part of the thermoplastic polymer binder is water soluble at a repulping temperature of the repulping process. The 3D shaped product (20) are environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic 3D shaped products made by foamed polymers and can be recycled in existing recycling schemes.

A spatially controllable, for example CD controllable, eductor, and more particularly an eductor that is capable of providing a variable motive fluid and processes using such an eductor are provided.

The invention is directed to a composite material comprising a biofabricated material and a secondary component. The secondary component may be a porous material, such as a sheet of paper, cellulose, or fabric that has been coated or otherwise contacted with the biofabricated material. The biofabricated material comprises a uniform network of crosslinked collagen fibrilsand provides strength, elasticity and an aesthetic appearance to the composite material.

The invention is directed to a composite material comprising a biofabricated material and a secondary component. The secondary component may be a porous material, such as a sheet of paper, cellulose, or fabric that has been coated or otherwise contacted with the biofabricated material. The biofabricated material comprises a uniform network of crosslinked collagen fibrilsand provides strength, elasticity and an aesthetic appearance to the composite material.

A biofabricated material comprising a network of crosslinked collagen fibrils produced from recombinant collagen that contains substantially no 3-hydroxyproline residues is disclosed. This material is composed of collagen which is also a major component of natural leather and is produced by a process of fibrillation of collagen molecules into fibrils, crosslinking the fibrils and lubricating the crosslinked fibrils. Unlike natural leathers, this biofabricated material exhibits non-anisotropic (not directionally dependent) physical properties, for example, a sheet of biofabricated material can have substantially the same elasticity or tensile strength when stretched or stressed in different directions. Unlike natural leather, it has a uniform texture that facilitates uniform uptake of dyes and coatings. Aesthetically, it produces a uniform and consistent grain for ease of manufacturability. It can have substantially identical grain, texture and other aesthetic properties on both sides distinct from natural leather where the grain increases from one side (e.g., distal surface) to the other (proximal inner layers).

A biofabricated material comprising a network of crosslinked collagen fibrils produced from recombinant collagen that contains substantially no 3-hydroxyproline residues is disclosed. This material is composed of collagen which is also a major component of natural leather and is produced by a process of fibrillation of collagen molecules into fibrils, crosslinking the fibrils and lubricating the crosslinked fibrils. Unlike natural leathers, this biofabricated material exhibits non-anisotropic (not directionally dependent) physical properties, for example, a sheet of biofabricated material can have substantially the same elasticity or tensile strength when stretched or stressed in different directions. Unlike natural leather, it has a uniform texture that facilitates uniform uptake of dyes and coatings. Aesthetically, it produces a uniform and consistent grain for ease of manufacturability. It can have substantially identical grain, texture and other aesthetic properties on both sides distinct from natural leather where the grain increases from one side (e.g., distal surface) to the other (proximal inner layers).

A process and an apparatus for producing nonwoven materials are disclosed. The process includes the following steps: a) providing a three-phase (gas-liquid-solid) suspension containing air, water, fibrous material and a surfactant, b) depositing the suspension onto a moving carrier sieve to produce a fibrous web on the carrier sieve, c) removing aqueous residue of the suspension through the carrier sieve, d) conveying the aqueous residue through one or more phase separation tanks in an essentially horizontal direction while providing a depressurised headspace above the aqueous residue, e) recycling the aqueous residue conveyed in step d) to step a), f) preferably pre-integrating the fibrous web.

A process and an apparatus for producing nonwoven materials are disclosed. The process includes the following steps: a) providing a three-phase (gas-liquid-solid) suspension containing air, water, fibrous material and a surfactant, b) depositing the suspension onto a moving carrier sieve to produce a fibrous web on the carrier sieve, c) removing aqueous residue of the suspension through the carrier sieve, d) conveying the aqueous residue through one or more phase separation tanks in an essentially horizontal direction while providing a depressurised headspace above the aqueous residue, e) recycling the aqueous residue conveyed in step d) to step a), f) preferably pre-integrating the fibrous web.

The present disclosure provides for aqueous, curable binder compositions, as well as articles and products comprising assemblies of matter comprising mineral fibers, synthetic fibers, natural fibers, cellulosic particles and sheet materials comprising the binder compositions disclosed herein.