The present invention provides formulations comprising a suspension of nanocellulose (NC) elements and a drying/dispersal additive selected from the group consisting of temperature-responsive polymers, small molecule additives in volatile systems, and blocking agents and methods of preparing such formulations, and further provides NC-containing materials, composite materials and useful articles of manufacture made therefrom.

The present invention provides a formulation for a fibrous non-woven facing material, wherein the formulation comprises a binder, a filler, and an extender. The extender has an median particle size, d.sub.50, which is equal to or less than 3.5 μm, and a non-spherical morphology. The filler has an median particle size, d.sub.50, which is equal to or less than 3.0 μm and wherein the filler has a d.sub.10 equal to or less than 1.0 μm and a d.sub.90 equal to or less than 6.0 μm. The formulation comprises less than 13 wt % titanium dioxide on a dry solids basis. Also provided is a fibrous non-woven facing material comprising the formulation, a process for preparing the fibrous non-woven facing material and a fibrous non-woven facing material obtained by said process.

The present invention provides a formulation for a fibrous non-woven facing material, wherein the formulation comprises a binder, a filler, and an extender. The extender has an median particle size, d.sub.50, which is equal to or less than 3.5 μm, and a non-spherical morphology. The filler has an median particle size, d.sub.50, which is equal to or less than 3.0 μm and wherein the filler has a d.sub.10 equal to or less than 1.0 μm and a d.sub.90 equal to or less than 6.0 μm. The formulation comprises less than 13 wt % titanium dioxide on a dry solids basis. Also provided is a fibrous non-woven facing material comprising the formulation, a process for preparing the fibrous non-woven facing material and a fibrous non-woven facing material obtained by said process.

Zwitterionic surfactant compounds and their use in connection with absorbent paper manufacture in debonder and softener formulations. An exemplary surfactant is an imidazolinium compound of formula: ##STR00001## wherein X is SO.sub.3, R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbyl spacer group having a chain length of from 2-6 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and R.sup.3 is an alkenylamidoalkyl moiety having from 8 to 30 carbon atoms.

Zwitterionic surfactant compounds and their use in connection with absorbent paper manufacture in debonder and softener formulations. An exemplary surfactant is an imidazolinium compound of formula: ##STR00001## wherein X is SO.sub.3, R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbyl spacer group having a chain length of from 2-6 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and R.sup.3 is an alkenylamidoalkyl moiety having from 8 to 30 carbon atoms.

The invention discloses a paperboard comprising a base ply, a top ply, and an intermediate layer disposed in-between the at least one base ply and the top ply. The intermediate layer comprises pigment and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). The application of an intermediate layer comprising pigment and MFC in-between the base ply and the top ply gives rise to improved optical properties of the paperboard, even when using an uncoated top ply having a low grammage. This makes it possible to reduce the grammage of top ply and still obtain good optical properties.

A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a defibration unit that defibrates a raw material containing fibers in a gas atmosphere; and a sheet former that forms a sheet by using at least a part of defibrated substances obtained through a defibrating process performed by the defibration unit. The defibration unit and the sheet former are thermally blocked from each other.

A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a defibration unit that defibrates a raw material containing fibers in a gas atmosphere; and a sheet former that forms a sheet by using at least a part of defibrated substances obtained through a defibrating process performed by the defibration unit. The defibration unit and the sheet former are thermally blocked from each other.

The present invention provides multi-ply creped tissue products, and in particular embodiments creped wet pressed tissue products, having substantially higher per-ply basis weights, such as from about 20 to about 30 gsm, without the negative effects often associated with higher basis weight. As such, the tissue products are generally soft and flexible, having a softness value (measured as TS7) less than about 12.0 and a Stiffness Index less than about 20. While being soft and flexible, the instant tissue products are durable enough to withstand use, such as having a GMT greater than about 600 g/3″ and a Burst Index greater than about 12.0.

The present invention provides multi-ply creped tissue products, and in particular embodiments creped wet pressed tissue products, having substantially higher per-ply basis weights, such as from about 20 to about 30 gsm, without the negative effects often associated with higher basis weight. As such, the tissue products are generally soft and flexible, having a softness value (measured as TS7) less than about 12.0 and a Stiffness Index less than about 20. While being soft and flexible, the instant tissue products are durable enough to withstand use, such as having a GMT greater than about 600 g/3″ and a Burst Index greater than about 12.0.