A method for consolidating a fibrous material of plant-based fibers, such as cellulose fibers and/or poly-lactic acid fibers, the method including: applying to the fibrous material an aqueous solution including a cellulose derivative, and/or a salt thereof, and an acid, the aqueous solution having a pH within the range of from 3 to 7, optionally within the range of from 3 to 6, optionally within the range of from 3 to 4.5; and drying the bonded fibrous material, optionally at 100° C. or higher. Also, a fibrous material formed by the method, an aqueous binder solution including a cellulose derivative, and/or a salt thereof, and an acid, and a nonwoven material including airlaid plant-based fibers being consolidated by a bio-based binder in the presence of a carboxylic acid, the bio-based binder being a cellulose derivative, and/or a salt thereof.

A method for consolidating a fibrous material of plant-based fibers, such as cellulose fibers and/or poly-lactic acid fibers, the method including: applying to the fibrous material an aqueous solution including a cellulose derivative, and/or a salt thereof, and an acid, the aqueous solution having a pH within the range of from 3 to 7, optionally within the range of from 3 to 6, optionally within the range of from 3 to 4.5; and drying the bonded fibrous material, optionally at 100° C. or higher. Also, a fibrous material formed by the method, an aqueous binder solution including a cellulose derivative, and/or a salt thereof, and an acid, and a nonwoven material including airlaid plant-based fibers being consolidated by a bio-based binder in the presence of a carboxylic acid, the bio-based binder being a cellulose derivative, and/or a salt thereof.

A fabric of nanofibers that includes an adhesive is described. The nanofibers can be twisted or both twisted and coiled prior to formation into a fabric. The adhesive can be selectively applied to or infiltrated within portions of the nanofibers comprising the nanofiber fabric. The adhesive enables connection of the nanofiber fabric to an underlying substrate, even in cases in which the underlying substrate has a three-dimensional topography, while the selective location of the adhesive on the fabric limits the contact area between the adhesive and the nanofibers of the nanofiber fabric. This limited contact area can help preserve the beneficial properties of the nanofibers (e.g., thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, infra-red (IR) radiation transparency) that otherwise might be degraded by the presence of adhesive.

A fabric of nanofibers that includes an adhesive is described. The nanofibers can be twisted or both twisted and coiled prior to formation into a fabric. The adhesive can be selectively applied to or infiltrated within portions of the nanofibers comprising the nanofiber fabric. The adhesive enables connection of the nanofiber fabric to an underlying substrate, even in cases in which the underlying substrate has a three-dimensional topography, while the selective location of the adhesive on the fabric limits the contact area between the adhesive and the nanofibers of the nanofiber fabric. This limited contact area can help preserve the beneficial properties of the nanofibers (e.g., thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, infra-red (IR) radiation transparency) that otherwise might be degraded by the presence of adhesive.

A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

An insulation product is disclosed that includes a plurality of glass fibers and a cross-linked formaldehyde-free binder composition at least partially coating the glass fibers. The glass fibers have an average fiber diameter in the range of 8 HT (2.03 μm) to 15 HT (3.81 μm). The insulation product is structured such that at least 30% by weight of the glass fibers in the insulation product are oriented within +/−15° of a common plane defined by a length and width of the insulation product. The insulation product has a density, when uncompressed, between 0.2 pcf and 1.6 pcf.

A cross-linked nonwoven fibrous mat is disclosed comprising a core layer including a fibrous precursor mat bound with a formaldehyde-free core binder composition and a cross-linker disposed on at least one surface of the core layer, said cross-linker comprising one or more of isocyanate, polyol, and melamine functional groups. The cross-linked nonwoven mat has a hot-wet retention of at least 25%.

A cross-linked nonwoven fibrous mat is disclosed comprising a core layer including a fibrous precursor mat bound with a formaldehyde-free core binder composition and a cross-linker disposed on at least one surface of the core layer, said cross-linker comprising one or more of isocyanate, polyol, and melamine functional groups. The cross-linked nonwoven mat has a hot-wet retention of at least 25%.

An insulation product with an improved material efficiency is disclosed comprising a plurality of glass fibers and a cross-linked formaldehyde-free binder composition at least partially coating the glass fibers. The glass fibers have an average fiber diameter in the range of 8 HT (2.03 μm) to 15 HT (3.81 μm). At a density (x) between 0.2 pcf and 1.6 pcf, the insulation product may achieve a material efficiency (y), expressed as R.Math.ft.sup.2/lb, that meets or exceeds a value (y) that satisfies Formula (VII):

y=40.1916068x2−120.5813540x+129.628397  Formula (VII)

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