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 relates to a process for forming cellulose fibers or film from dissolved cellulose. The process comprises the steps of: dissolving cellulose in an aqueous coagulation sodium salt solution to provide a cellulose spin dope; extruding the cellulose spin dope into a coagulation bath liquid comprising an aqueous coagulation sodium salt solution to provide cellulose fibers or film; withdrawing a portion of the coagulation bath comprising coagulation sodium salt and sodium hydroxide (NaOH); cooling the withdrawn portion of the coagulation bath to precipitate solid coagulation sodium salt to recover sodium hydroxide (NaOH) substantially free from the coagulation salt; and using at least a portion of the recovered sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in dissolving the cellulose to provide the cellulose spin dope.

The present invention relates to a process for forming cellulose fibers or film from dissolved cellulose. The process comprises the steps of: dissolving cellulose in an aqueous coagulation sodium salt solution to provide a cellulose spin dope; extruding the cellulose spin dope into a coagulation bath liquid comprising an aqueous coagulation sodium salt solution to provide cellulose fibers or film; withdrawing a portion of the coagulation bath comprising coagulation sodium salt and sodium hydroxide (NaOH); cooling the withdrawn portion of the coagulation bath to precipitate solid coagulation sodium salt to recover sodium hydroxide (NaOH) substantially free from the coagulation salt; and using at least a portion of the recovered sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in dissolving the cellulose to provide the cellulose spin dope.

Strengthening the dry and wet tenacity of regenerated cellulosic fibers can be performed through the addition of an aldaric acid, such as (but not limited to) glucaric acid. In some embodiments, regenerated cellulosic fibers that include an aldaric acid or a salt thereof, produced by the disclosed methods are also described. The produced fibers have advantageous properties due at least in part to the inclusion of the aldaric acid.

Strengthening the dry and wet tenacity of regenerated cellulosic fibers can be performed through the addition of an aldaric acid, such as (but not limited to) glucaric acid. In some embodiments, regenerated cellulosic fibers that include an aldaric acid or a salt thereof, produced by the disclosed methods are also described. The produced fibers have advantageous properties due at least in part to the inclusion of the aldaric acid.

Methods of preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition are described. In some embodiments, the method comprises: (a) preparing a mixture of solids comprising lignocellulosic biomass, a meltable solvent and a polyester; and (b) melt-compounding said mixture of solids; thereby preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition. Fibers produced by the methods are also described, as are yarns and fabrics comprising the fibers.

The present disclosure relates to a method for the production of precursor fiber for the production of carbon fiber, comprising the steps: a) a) forming a spinning dope comprising a dissolving pulp, a lignin and an alkali metal hydroxide dissolved in water (s201); 5 b) extruding the spinning dope through a spinning nozzle to provide a fibrous extrudate (s203); and c) passing the fibrous extrudate through a coagulation liquid to provide the precursor fiber (s205); wherein the coagulation liquid is arranged to effect precipitation of the precursor fiber by regulation of pH and/or ionicity. The disclosure further relates to precursor fibers and carbon fibers produced by the method above, as well as spinning dopes used in the method.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of asymmetric cellulose hollow fibres and the use of such fibres in the production of asymmetric carbon hollow fibre membranes (CHFMs). In particular, the present invention provides a facile and scalable process for the preparation of asymmetric CHFMs by direct pyrolysis of polymeric precursors without the need for complex pre-pyrolysis treatment steps to prevent pore collapse. The present invention also relates to the use of asymmetric CHFMs prepared according to said process in the separation of hydrogen gas from a mixed gas source, especially in the separation of hydrogen from CO.sub.2 in the steam-methane reforming reaction.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of asymmetric cellulose hollow fibres and the use of such fibres in the production of asymmetric carbon hollow fibre membranes (CHFMs). In particular, the present invention provides a facile and scalable process for the preparation of asymmetric CHFMs by direct pyrolysis of polymeric precursors without the need for complex pre-pyrolysis treatment steps to prevent pore collapse. The present invention also relates to the use of asymmetric CHFMs prepared according to said process in the separation of hydrogen gas from a mixed gas source, especially in the separation of hydrogen from CO.sub.2 in the steam-methane reforming reaction.

The present invention describes a method for the production of a spinning dope composition, said method comprising a homogenization involving vigorous mixing of a cellulosic pulp material in alkali solution, vigorous mixing implying supplying a power density to agitators used in the homogenization step of at least 150 kW/m.sup.3 (kW supplied to agitators per mixed unit of liquid volume), and thereafter a dissolution involving mixing of the cellulosic pulp material in the alkali solution to obtain a spinning dope composition, wherein the power density supplied to agitators used in the dissolution step is maximum 75 kW/m.sup.3 (kW supplied to agitators per mixed unit of liquid volume); and wherein the cellulosic pulp material in alkali solution is kept at a temperature of less than 0° C. during the homogenization and during at least part of the dissolution. The present invention is also directed to a system intended for the production of a spinning dope composition.