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UPM has started pre-commercial production of fibril cellulose
16.11.2011
UPM has started pre-commercial production of fibril cellulose and is currently developing new fibril cellulose applications with industrial partners.
UPM initiated the fibril cellulose product development process in 2008.
Pre-commercial production began this autumn at Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland. UPM
is now able to provide different types of fibril cellulose for extensive
customer testing. UPM's objective is to create the preconditions needed for
industrial-scale production of fibril cellulose.
"Fibril
cellulose is part of UPM's renewal and our Biofore strategy. We are currently
focusing on commercialising fibril cellulose. The first stage mainly consists
of developing products used in paper and packaging materials and the concrete
and paint industries. We are also looking for new partners to develop new
applications," says Esa Laurinsilta, Director, UPM Fibril Cellulose.
The production process used by UPM for fibril cellulose is the result of
long-term development. The fibres in the most finely grained products are
fibrils measured at the nano scale. The rougher products consist of micrometre
fibres. UPM has protected the results of the development work with
comprehensive patents that cover the manufacture of fibril cellulose and the
applications.
Fibril cellulose can be used in a wide range of
applications. UPM's fibril cellulose provides new properties and design
opportunities for traditional materials; it can be used to make products
tougher, lighter or thinner, depending on the application.
When
water is added to fibril cellulose, a strong gel structure is created.
Therefore, fibril cellulose can be used in many industrial applications
requiring high stabilisation capacity and high viscosity.
UPM's
fibril cellulose has proved to be functional in several application tests over
the past few years. "In October, we produced the first industrial-scale batch
of speciality paper reinforced with fibril cellulose at the UPM Tervasaari
mill," Laurinsilta says.
Laurinsilta stresses the
importance of the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes)
and the development partners for the new product: "Forty researchers at the
Finnish Centre for Nanocellulosic Technologies have developed fibril cellulose
for UPM in cooperation with the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and
Aalto University."
For further information, please
contact:
Esa Laurinsilta, Director, Fibril Cellulose, New
Businesses & Development, UPM, tel: +358 40 821 0350
See
UPM Viewpoint videoblog with Esa Laurinsilta providing more information about
fibril cellulose at www.upm.com > UPM Blog.
UPM, Corporate
Communications
Media Desk, tel. +358 (0) 40 588 3284
media@upm.com
www.twitter.com/UPM_News
UPM
leads the way in integrating bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable
and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials
and are recyclable. The company’s business is divided into three business
areas: Energy and Pulp, Paper and Engineered Materials. UPM employs around
24,500 people and has production facilities in sixteen countries. The
company’s annual turnover amounts to more than EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares
are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company –
www.upm.com
UPM New Businesses and Development (NBD) is an
important part of UPM's reform and Biofore strategy. The objective of NBD is
to provide added value to renewable wood raw material by refining ideas into
new products and business ideas. Its key projects include new fibre materials,
fibril cellulose and biochemicals. www.upm.com/fibrilcellulose