Sustainable mineral/ microfibrillated cellulose composite formulation additives: Properties and uses - presentation
David Skuse
FiberLean Technologies Limited, Par Moor Centre, Par Moor Road, Par, Cornwall, UK PL24 2SQ
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When pulp and minerals are co-processed in aqueous suspension, the mineral acts as a grinding aid allowing cost effective production of fibrils. Furthermore, this processing uses robust, industrial milling equipment. Mineral/ microfibrillated cellulose composite materials produced in this manner have been commercialised under the tradename, FiberLean® MFC. There are 12 000 dry metric tonnes of FiberLean® MFC fibril production capacity in operation, worldwide. Such composites can be prepared using a wide range of virgin and recycled pulp sources and a wide range of minerals, with choices dependent on the end formulation requirements.
The products can be used in a wide range of applications:
- As wet and dry strength additives to enhance the mechanical properties of web-based structures, such as paper, packaging, tiles and boards.
- To enable wet-end coating of optically effective, light weight coatings in graphic applications, in particular, as surfaces for ink-jet printing.
- As a component of grease, moisture and gas barrier systems.
- As the main constituent in products such as non-woven mats.
- As rheology modifiers, for example in paints and oil field formulations.
- As reinforcing additives in composites.
In this presentation we will describe the mineral/ microfibrillated cellulose products and demonstrate how the choice of minerals and fibres used in their preparation can affect the end-use properties.