Articles are prepared from paper containing different types of fibers. In a granulation step, bagasse is pulverized to produce a sugar cane pulp powder of granules. In a pulping process, pulp is produced from Manila hemp. In a mixing step, sugar cane pulp powder, and the pulp produced in preceding steps, are mixed. In the papermaking process, Japanese washi paper is produced by using a mixture of pulp powder and pulp. In a slitting process, the produced Japanese washi paper is slit. In a twisting process, the slit Japanese washi paper yarn is twisted to produce a paper yarn.

Disclosed are personal care compositions comprising a fibrous material of natural origin and obtained from plants. The fibrous material comprises micro-scaled and/or nano-scaled fibril agglomerates. Such compositions show pleasant skin feel and comfort during and after application, as well as fast drying and fast absorption into skin. The compositions obtained are also particularly well suited for the topical delivery of cosmetic and pharmaceutical active substances into skin. Additionally, a method to obtain said personal care composition is disclosed.

The present invention provides a method of producing an improved cellulose pulp consisting of cellulose fibers of a desired length, such as cellulose fibers having a length-weighted average fiber length Lc(l)>0.6 mm and its use in cellulose pulp-comprising products, such as packaging material with improved properties.

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of a polysaccharide substrate, said method comprising at least one step of: enzymatic hydrolysis of said substrate with a mixture of enzymes, said mixture comprising at least one enzyme selected from lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases; in the presence of chemically modified lignin, wherein during at least part of the time of said step of enzymatic hydrolysis, H.sub.2O.sub.2 is supplied to the reaction mixture comprising said substrate, said mixture of enzymes and said chemically modified lignin, either from an external source or by generation in situ.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing an unbleached biomechanical pulp and fully utilizing by-products by treating wheat straws with heat steam in synergy with biological enzymes, which belongs to the technical field of papermaking technology and waste comprehensive utilization. The present disclosure provides a method for preparing an unbleached biomechanical pulp by treating whole wheat straws with heat steam in synergy with biological enzymes, where the prepared high-strength biomechanical pulp can meet the requirements of producing unbleached packaging paper and paper-based materials. At the same time, the by-products are recycled to prepare a biomass compound fertilizer, which turns solid waste into treasure and realizes the high-value full utilization of wheat straw. Therefore, the method in the present disclosure is simple, green, clean and efficient, which has good practical application value and broad application prospects.

Some variations provide a new nanolignocellulose composition comprising, on a bone-dry, ash-free, and acetyl-free basis, from 35 wt % to 80 wt % cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, or a combination thereof, from 15 wt % to 45 wt % lignin, and from 5 wt % to 20 wt % hemicelluloses. The hemicelluloses may contain xylan or mannan as the major component. Novel properties arise from the hemicellulose content that is intermediate between high hemicellulose content of raw biomass and low hemicellulose content of conventional nanocellulose. The nanolignocellulose composition is hydrophobic due to the presence of lignin. Processes for making and using the nanolignocellulose compositions are also described.

Processing systems and methods are described for pre-processing processing of biomass. The systems include an extruder characterized by one or more ports though which acids and/or bases may be introduced to the biomass during extrusion. The acids may be selected to hydrolyze the biomass and the base may be selected to neutralize the acid. Neutralization can occur using a solid base within the extruder.

Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Various processes are disclosed for producing nanocellulose materials following steam extraction or hot-water digestion of biomass. Processes are also disclosed for producing nanocellulose materials from a wide variety of starting pulps or pretreated biomass feedstocks. The nanocellulose materials may be used as rheology modifiers in many applications. Water-based and oil-based drilling fluid formulations and additives are provided. Also, water-based and oil-based hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations and additives are provided. In other embodiments, polymer-nanocellulose composites are provided.