The present invention provides for a method of fermenting or saccharifying a biomass comprising: (a) (i) contacting a biomass comprising a polysaccharide, and an ionic liquid (IL) to form a first solution, or (ii) providing the first solution comprising the biomass and the IL, (b) contacting the first solution and carbon dioxide such that the first solution results in a lower pH, (c) introducing (i) an enzyme capable of enzymatically to breakdown at least one bond in the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, and/or (ii) a microorganism that capable of producing the enzyme and/or fermenting the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, such that the polysaccharide is at least partially broken down and the first solution is transformed into a second solution.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a cellulose dope comprising mixing and dissolving the cellulosic raw material in dilute and concentrated aqueous organic solvent in a two-stage process to form a homogeneous slurry, followed by heating the homogeneous slurry to obtain a cellulose dope containing 11% to 20% cellulose by weight. The invention also relates to a cellulose dope comprising 11% to 20% cellulose by weight and 73% to 79% aqueous organic solvent wherein the concentration of the cellulosic and metallic impurities in the cellulose dope shows a percent reduction of 20% to 50% from the cellulosic raw material.

This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Methods for producing cellulose articles having controlled release of active ingredient include dispersing pulp in aqueous direct solvent for cellulose to form a slurry. Organically modified or ion-exchange-activated phyllosilicate is homogenized in a direct solvent for cellulose with exfoliation by shearing, then mixed with the slurried pulp. A mixture of active ingredient and a lipophilic matrix material or a water-in-oil (“W/O”) emulsion containing active ingredient is stabilized with thickener, converted into a gel-like paste, and mixed with the slurried pulp. Water is stripped from the mixture until all cellulose is dissolved, the mixture is formed into shaped articles, and dried. Exemplary active ingredients include cosmetic active ingredients, fat-soluble vitamins or apolar plant extracts. Domains of active ingredient and matrix material or emulsion containing active ingredient are present as fine divisions within the inventive articles. Exemplary shaped articles include functional fibers in knitted, woven and nonwoven fabrics; paper; foils and membranes.

The invention proposes a polymer solution for visco-supplementation. The polymer solution contains at least one at least partially water-soluble polysaccharide or polysaccharide derivative, one water-soluble alkali salt or alkaline earth salt of polystyrene sulfonic acid, and water, whereby the polymer solution is clear to the eye. Moreover, the invention describes a method for sterilisation of the polymer solution. This method is characterised in that a mixture of at least one at least partially water-soluble polysaccharide or polysaccharide derivative, one water-soluble alkali salt or alkaline earth salt of polystyrene sulfonic acid, and water is mixed with at least 0.5 wt. % propiolactone, and in that the polymer solution is stored at room temperature for at least 24 hours.

The invention relates to a process for treating a lignocellulosic material, preferably wood, comprising the following steps: (1) soaking of the material with organic fluid in order to dissolve at least 40% and at most 85%, in weight %, of the lignin of the material; (2) washing with organic fluid so as to discharge the dissolved lignin; (3) filling with a filling compound; and (4) finishing, so as to obtain a composite formed of a three-dimensional network of transformed filling compound incorporated into a cellulose and lignin network. The invention also relates to a composite structure able to be obtained in this way, and to any part comprising at least one such structure.

The present invention relates to a phase-stable suspension of cellulose II in water, having a high water retention capacity and a cellulose concentration between 0.1 and 5.0% by weight, a method of its preparation, and its use.

This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

The present invention describes a process for a controlled conversion of a biomass feedstock, wherein the process comprises the steps of: loading the biomass feedstock to at least one reactor; liquefaction of the biomass feedstock into a monomer and/or oligomer sugar mixture in said reactor by treatment in hot compressed liquid water (HCW) at sub- and/or super-critical condition; and removal of the monomer and/or oligomer sugar mixture, being the product molecules, to avoid continued detrimental decomposition.

A biomass fractionation apparatus includes a vessel having a processing chamber, an inlet configured to receive a biomass into the processing chamber, and an outlet configured to discharge processed biomass from the chamber. A bed plate is movably positioned within the processing chamber and includes a plurality of elongated fins extending outwardly therefrom in substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship. A cylindrical rotor is rotatably secured within the processing chamber in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship with the bed plate. The rotor has a plurality of elongated blades extending radially outwardly therefrom in circumferentially spaced-apart relationship. Upon rotation of the rotor, the blades are configured to accelerate a biomass within the processing chamber against the fins of the bed plate and to cause the bed plate to pulsate against the rotor.