The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing hydrophobized nanocellulose comprising the steps of: a) providing a cellulose-containing material wherein the cellulose-containing material contains less than 20 wt. % water, b) contacting the cellulose-containing material with oxalic acid dihydrate, and heating above the melting point of the oxalic acid dihydrate, to obtain cellulose oxalates, c) washing the mixture, d) preparing a suspension comprising the material from step c) and e) recovering hydrophobized nanocellulose from the suspension. The present invention relates also to a method of manufacturing hydrophobized nanocellulose intermediate which comprises the above described steps a)-c). The methods disclosed in the present invention are quick, inexpensive, simple, and direct. Pulp can be used as raw material.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing hydrophobized nanocellulose comprising the steps of: a) providing a cellulose-containing material wherein the cellulose-containing material contains less than 20 wt. % water, b) contacting the cellulose-containing material with oxalic acid dihydrate, and heating above the melting point of the oxalic acid dihydrate, to obtain cellulose oxalates, c) washing the mixture, d) preparing a suspension comprising the material from step c) and e) recovering hydrophobized nanocellulose from the suspension. The present invention relates also to a method of manufacturing hydrophobized nanocellulose intermediate which comprises the above described steps a)-c). The methods disclosed in the present invention are quick, inexpensive, simple, and direct. Pulp can be used as raw material.

The present disclosure describes tunable methods of treating cellulosic materials with a composition that provides increased hydrophobicity and/or lipophobicity to such materials without sacrificing the biodegradability thereof. The methods as disclosed provide for binding of saccharide fatty acid esters on cellulosic materials, including that the disclosure provides products made by such methods. The materials thus treated display higher hydrophobicity, lipophobicity, barrier function, and mechanical properties, and may be used in any application where such features are desired.

The present disclosure describes tunable methods of treating cellulosic materials with a composition that provides increased hydrophobicity and/or lipophobicity to such materials without sacrificing the biodegradability thereof. The methods as disclosed provide for binding of saccharide fatty acid esters on cellulosic materials, including that the disclosure provides products made by such methods. The materials thus treated display higher hydrophobicity, lipophobicity, barrier function, and mechanical properties, and may be used in any application where such features are desired.

An apparatus for continuously producing chemically-modified cellulose, the apparatus having a first mechanism for transporting a fine-powder cellulose fiber starting material and a hydrophobizing chemical substance, a specific extruder, a solvent tank connected to the extruder, and a dryer connected to the solvent tank, and a method for continuously producing chemically-modified cellulose, the method having a step of washing, in the solvent tank, chemically-modified cellulose having been produced out of the fine-powder cellulose fiber starting material and the hydrophobizing chemical substance in the extruder, and then drying the chemically-modified cellulose in the dryer, in order to remove any unreacted hydrophobizing chemical substance.

An apparatus for continuously producing chemically-modified cellulose, the apparatus having a first mechanism for transporting a fine-powder cellulose fiber starting material and a hydrophobizing chemical substance, a specific extruder, a solvent tank connected to the extruder, and a dryer connected to the solvent tank, and a method for continuously producing chemically-modified cellulose, the method having a step of washing, in the solvent tank, chemically-modified cellulose having been produced out of the fine-powder cellulose fiber starting material and the hydrophobizing chemical substance in the extruder, and then drying the chemically-modified cellulose in the dryer, in order to remove any unreacted hydrophobizing chemical substance.

Provided is a novel cellulose derivative having excellent water resistance. This is a cellulose acylate oxoalkanoate which is a cellulose derivative corresponding to cellulose, except with substituents replacing part or all of hydrogen atoms in the hydroxy groups of the cellulose. The substituents includes a group represented by General Formula (1) and a group represented by General Formula (2). The cellulose acylate oxoalkanoate has a degree x of substitution with the group represented by General Formula (1), a degree y of substitution with the group represented by General Formula (2), and a degree z of unsubstitution, where x, y, and z meet conditions specified by Expressions (A), (B), and (C):
0.1x2.99(A)
0.01y2.90(B)
z=3xy(C) ##STR00001##

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for a molded foam containing a peroxide and a blowing agent, in which cellulose fibers are uniformly dispersed in a resin for a foam molding material having high hydrophobicity such as a thermoplastic resin and a rubber, and a foam excellent in mechanical properties which is obtained by reaction of the composition for a molded foam during foam molding. The composition for a molded foam contains a modified cellulose fiber (A) having an unsaturated bond, a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubber (B), a peroxide (C), and a blowing agent (D).

A biopolymer film is provided that comprises a combination of: crystalline nano cellulose (CNC)/esterified crystalline nano cellulose (ECNC) reinforced with chitosan. The two polymer components can be present in any ratio but an approximate CNC to ECNC 70:30 ratio is preferred. The chitosan component is derived from exoskeletons of crustaceans. Also provided are methods of preparing biopolymer film and preparing food packaging components from said biopolymer film. The CNC/ECNC mixture is dissolved in an ethanol solution and the chitin is dissolved in acetic acid and mixed together to form a polymer blend.

A fibrous cellulose having a high resin reinforcing effect and a method for manufacturing the same, and a fibrous cellulose composite resin having high strength and a method for manufacturing the same. A fibrous cellulose has an average fiber width of 0.1 ?m or more, an average fiber length of 0.02 to 3.0 mm, and a fibrillation ratio of 1.0% or more. A kneaded product of this fibrous cellulose and a resin is formed into a fibrous cellulose composite resin. In manufacturing the fibrous cellulose, a raw material fiber is defibrated so as to have an average fiber width of 0.1 ?m or more, an average fiber length of 0.02 to 3.0 mm, and a fibrillation ratio of 1.0% or more. The fibrous cellulose obtained by this method and a resin are kneaded to manufacture a fibrous cellulose composite resin.