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.

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.

A thermoplastic resin composition of the invention contains a cellulose-containing solid material obtained after heat treatment of a botanical biomass as a raw material in a mixed solvent of water and at least one alcohol selected from aliphatic alcohols having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and a thermoplastic resin. Accordingly, a thermoplastic resin composition can be provided, which, as compared with a case of incorporating conventional cellulose nanofibers or lignocellulose nanofibers in a resin composition, simplifies the production step, improves miscibility with a thermoplastic resin and improves thermal stability.

The method for producing a cellulose-containing solid material of the invention includes treating a botanical biomass in a mixed solvent of water and at least one alcohol selected from aliphatic alcohols having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, under condition A (the concentration of the raw material to be charged into the mixed solvent is 1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less), condition B (the reaction temperature is 100 C. or higher and 350 C. or lower), and condition C (the reaction time is 0.1 hours or more and 10 hours or less), followed by solid-liquid separation after the treatment to give a cellulose-containing solid material. Accordingly, there are provided a method for producing a cellulose-containing solid material excellent in saccharification performance and a method for producing glucose from the cellulose-containing solid material.

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.

Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibers and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide, wherein said alkylsulfonic acid and peroxide are present in a molar ratio ranging 1:1 to 15:1 and the time of exposure is sufficient to remove substantially all of the lignin present on said plant material. Compositions capable of achieving delignification are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a method for obtaining densified material comprising the steps of a. providing lignocellulosic material, b. delignification of the lignocellulosic material providing a delignified material, wherein the delignification step is performed in such a way that the lignin of the lignocellulosic material is almost completely removed and wherein the structural integrity of the lignocellulosic material is maintained in the delignified material, c. densification of the delignified material providing a densified material. Furthermore, a densified material is provided. The fibers and fibrils are maintained in the structural directionality of the raw material and that the cellulosic material is whitish.

A process for increasing digestion efficiency of lignocellulosic material in a treatment vessel includes providing lignocellulosic material comprising lignocellulosic biomass, providing an alkyl polyglycoside, an alkoxylated alcohol, and a white liquor comprising sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, combining the lignocellulosic material, the alkyl polyglycoside, the alkoxylated alcohol, and the white liquor to form a mixture, and heating the mixture in the treatment vessel to a temperature of from about 125 C. to about 185 C. to digest at least a portion of the lignocellulosic material. The alkyl polyglycoside and the alkoxylated alcohol are present in the mixture in a weight ratio of actives from about 5:95 to about 95:5, respectively. The mixture is free of added surfactants that are not the alkyl polyglycoside and/or the alkoxylated alcohol. The process has increased digestion efficiency as compared to a process that does not utilize a combination of the alkyl polyglycoside and the alkoxylated alcohol.

The present invention relates to treatment of unbleached or partially bleached or alkaline extracted dissolving pulp with one or more cellulases. The cellulase treatment results in increased viscosity control, reduced viscosity and/or increased reactivity of the final dissolving pulp.

A process for increasing digestion efficiency of lignocellulosic material in a treatment vessel includes providing lignocellulosic material comprising lignocellulosic biomass, providing an alkyl polyglycoside, an alkoxylated alcohol, and a white liquor comprising sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, combining the lignocellulosic material, the alkyl polyglycoside, the alkoxylated alcohol, and the white liquor to form a mixture, and heating the mixture in the treatment vessel to a temperature of from about 125 C. to about 185 C. to digest at least a portion of the lignocellulosic material. The alkyl polyglycoside and the alkoxylated alcohol are present in the mixture in a weight ratio of actives from about 5:95 to about 95:5, respectively. The mixture is free of added surfactants that are not the alkyl polyglycoside and/or the alkoxylated alcohol. The process has increased digestion efficiency as compared to a process that does not utilize a combination of the alkyl polyglycoside and the alkoxylated alcohol.