A process is provided for producing a biomass-derived rheology modifier, comprising: providing a pretreated feedstock comprising cellulose-rich solids; refining the cellulose-rich solids in a first high-intensity refining unit, generating refined cellulose solids; gelling the refined cellulose solids in a second high-intensity refining unit, thereby generating gelled cellulose solids; and homogenizing the gelled cellulose solids in a high-shear homogenizer, thereby generating a biomass-derived rheology modifier. The pretreated feedstock may include kraft pulp, sulfite pulp, AVAP® pulp, soda pulp, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp, and/or chemimechanical pulp, derived from wood or lignocellulosic biomass. The pretreated feedstock may be GP3+® pulp, obtained from steam or hot-water extraction of lignocellulosic biomass. These rheology modifiers may be utilized in a wide variety of applications, including water-based or oil-based hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations, as gelling agents. These rheology modifiers are biodegradable, and their production does not directly involve chemicals other than biomass and water.

A process is provided for producing a biomass-derived rheology modifier, comprising: providing a pretreated feedstock comprising cellulose-rich solids; refining the cellulose-rich solids in a first high-intensity refining unit, generating refined cellulose solids; gelling the refined cellulose solids in a second high-intensity refining unit, thereby generating gelled cellulose solids; and homogenizing the gelled cellulose solids in a high-shear homogenizer, thereby generating a biomass-derived rheology modifier. The pretreated feedstock may include kraft pulp, sulfite pulp, AVAP® pulp, soda pulp, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp, and/or chemimechanical pulp, derived from wood or lignocellulosic biomass. The pretreated feedstock may be GP3+® pulp, obtained from steam or hot-water extraction of lignocellulosic biomass. These rheology modifiers may be utilized in a wide variety of applications, including water-based or oil-based hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations, as gelling agents. These rheology modifiers are biodegradable, and their production does not directly involve chemicals other than biomass and water.

The present invention is directed to plant fiber-reinforced thermoplastic compositions and a method for reinforcing thermoplastic resins. The present invention provides a use for the cellulose portion of a plant material, which is the portion left over after processing the selected plant materials to separate the hemi-cellulose and lignin from the cellulose.

The present invention is directed to plant fiber-reinforced thermoplastic compositions and a method for reinforcing thermoplastic resins. The present invention provides a use for the cellulose portion of a plant material, which is the portion left over after processing the selected plant materials to separate the hemi-cellulose and lignin from the cellulose.

The present application provides a dispersion dispersed satisfactorily cellulose nanofibers, powdery cellulose nanofibers obtained by pulverizing thereof, a resin composition obtained by blending thereof and a molding raw material for a 3D printer by using thereof. It is possible to obtain a composition uniformly finely dispersed the cellulose nanofibers by treating a mixture containing unmodified cellulose nanofibers and a dispersant using a high speed agitating Medialess disperser, and followed by pulverizing the composition to blend with a resin and a rubber component. Also, a resin composition improved in mechanical properties and heat resistance, obtained by blending the powdery cellulose nanofibers above with a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin, is useful as a molding material for a 3D printer.

The present application provides a dispersion dispersed satisfactorily cellulose nanofibers, powdery cellulose nanofibers obtained by pulverizing thereof, a resin composition obtained by blending thereof and a molding raw material for a 3D printer by using thereof. It is possible to obtain a composition uniformly finely dispersed the cellulose nanofibers by treating a mixture containing unmodified cellulose nanofibers and a dispersant using a high speed agitating Medialess disperser, and followed by pulverizing the composition to blend with a resin and a rubber component. Also, a resin composition improved in mechanical properties and heat resistance, obtained by blending the powdery cellulose nanofibers above with a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin, is useful as a molding material for a 3D printer.

An object of the present invention is to provide an efficient method for producing cellulose nanofibers, without N-oxyl compounds such as TEMPO remaining in the cellulose nanofibers. Provided is a method for producing cellulose nanofibers, the method including: oxidizing a cellulose raw material with hypochlorous acid, or a salt thereof, having an available chlorine concentration of from 14% by mass to 43% by mass, to produce an oxidized cellulose; and fibrillating the oxidized cellulose into nanofibers.

An object of the present invention is to provide an efficient method for producing cellulose nanofibers, without N-oxyl compounds such as TEMPO remaining in the cellulose nanofibers. Provided is a method for producing cellulose nanofibers, the method including: oxidizing a cellulose raw material with hypochlorous acid, or a salt thereof, having an available chlorine concentration of from 14% by mass to 43% by mass, to produce an oxidized cellulose; and fibrillating the oxidized cellulose into nanofibers.

A spray dried non-hydrogen bonded (NHB) nano-fibrillated cellulose (NFC) composition and methods for preparing such composition are disclosed. The spray dried NFC with a NHB effect results in low packing density.

A composition comprising nanocellulose is disclosed, wherein the nanocellulose contains very low or essentially no sulfur content. The nanocellulose may be in the form of cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, or both. The nanocellulose is characterized by a crystallinity of at least 80%, an onset of thermal decomposition of 300° F. or higher, and a low light transmittance over the range 400-700 nm. Other variations provide a composition comprising lignin-coated hydrophobic nanocellulose, wherein the nanocellulose contains very low or essentially no sulfur content. Some variations provide a composition comprising nanocellulose, wherein the nanocellulose contains about 0.1 wt % equivalent sulfur content, or less, as SO.sub.4 groups chemically or physically bound to the nanocellulose. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose contains essentially no hydrogen atoms (apart from hydrogen structurally contained in nanocellulose itself) bound to the nanocellulose. Various compositions, materials, and products may incorporate the nanocellulose compositions disclosed herein.