Developments for boosting the
implementation of microfibrillated
cellulose in papermaking
Mikael Ankerfors, Tom Lindström,
and Daniel Söderberg
Innventia AB
SPCI Convention
September 26, 2013
Nomenclature
 Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)
– Original name since the 1980’s
 Nanocellulose = Collective name for all types of nanocellulose. Used
for this material the last 6 years.
– Other nanocelluloses are NanoCrystalline Cellulose (NCC) and
Bacterial NanoCellulose (BNC)
 Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) = new name started to be used 4-5
years ago
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Elementary fibril aggregates in wood-fibres
Source: Daniel, G., Volc, J., Niku-Paavola, M.-L. (2004). Cryo-FE-SEM & TEM immuno-techniques reveal new
details for understanding white-rot decay of lignocellulose. C. R. Biologies 327, 861-871.
2012-03-27
3
Mikael Ankerfors, Innventia AB
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Organisation of cellulose in fibres
Adapted from: Rowland and Roberts 1972
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Why is it interesting?
Cellulose crystallite
E140 GPa
Source: Hongu, T and Phillips, G.O.
(1997). New Fibres, Woodhead
publishing
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MFC in the 1980’s
Energy consumption = 30000 kWh/tonne
MFC
Homogenisation
Pulp
Source: Lindström, T. and Winter, L. (1988). Mikrofibrillär
cellulosa som komponent vid papperstillverkning. STFImeddelande C159 (internal STFI-report)
Source: Turbak, A.F., Snyder,
F.W. and Sandberg, K.R.
(1983). J. Appl. Pol. Sci.: Appl.
Pol. Symp. 37: 815-827.
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Our solution – pre-treatments
Energy consumption = 1000-2000 kWh/tonne
Energy reduction = 93-97 %
MFC
Homogenisation
Mechanical &
Enzyme
treatment
Pulp
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Example of an MFC gel from Innventia
MFC gen. 1
2 w-%
Mikael Ankerfors, Innventia AB
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Cryo-TEM Image of Innventia’s MFC
Source: Wågberg, L., Decher, G., Norgren, M., Lindström, T., Ankerfors, M. Axnäs, K.. The Build-Up of
Mikael Ankerfors, Cellulose
Innventia AB
Polyelectrolyte Multilayers of Microfibrillated
and Cationic Polyelectrolytes. Langmuir 2008, 24, 784-795.
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The Innventia lab-scale nanofacility
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Innventia’s pilot plant for MFC production
(100 kg/day)
Mikael Ankerfors, Innventia AB
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Innventia’s pilot scale nanofacility
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Standard process layout
Pulp
Enzyme
MFC
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Innventia’s stock-prep system for FEX
Mikael Ankerfors, Innventia AB
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Stress-strain curves for films of different MFCs
”Nanopaper”: Strongest
cellulose-based material
made by man
Stress
at brake
[MPa]
Young’s
Modulus
[GPa]
Strain
at break
[%]
Nanopaper
~200
10-20
6-12
Unbl. kraft
64
5
4
Bl. kraft SW
54
5
5
Bl. kraft HW
34
4
4
Newsprint
16
2
2
Ground wood
6
1
1
Pulp
Source: Henriksson, M., Berglund, L.A.,
Isaksson, P., Lindström, T., Nishino, T. Cellulose
Nanopaper Structures of High Toughness.
Biomacromolecules 2008, 9, 1579-1585.
Source: Fellers et al. (1983) Carton board.
Profitable use of pulps and processes.
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MFC has interesting for paper applications
 As a dry strength agent enabling e.g.
– Increased filler content in publication papers
– Weight-reduction in board
 As an oxygen barrier material for packaging
 As an additive in coatings
 As a surface strength agent to reduce linting and dusting
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MFC used as dry strength agent – old news
MFC wet-end addition to CTMP
Tensile index (kNm/kg)
MFC
Fines
C-starch
Added amount (%)
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Source: Lindström, T. and Winter, L.
(1988). Mikrofibrillär cellulosa som
komponent vid papperstillverkning.
STFI-meddelande C159 (internal
STFI-report)
Pilot trial outline
Goal

Use MFC as additive in the FEX-system in order to identify possible
weaknesses/needs
Set-up

Fine paper pulp composition 80/20 (short/long)

STFI-former (roll-blade)

Valmet 7-row headbox

Speed 600 m/min and slice opening 14 mm

Press loads 60/500/700 kN/m

Innventia’s pilot MFC generation 1

PCC as filler @ 20%-35%

Retention system from Eka
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FEX pilot paper machine
Fourdrinier former
Roll-blade former
Shoe presses
Conventional
press
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Conclusions
 No major processing issues!
 Positive effects can be seen
 In order to perform trials and compare effects to what can be
achieved by chemical additives:
– Dosage strategy should be developed
– Effects of process units (screens, pumps, pipes etc.) need to be
considered since the physics will be different compared to polymer
additives
– Innventia is equipped to study these effects
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Our goal

To assist industrial partners to produce and use MFC in industrial scale

To further improve the MFC product and its processes

With the aid of the FEX-pilot paper machine, optimise the use of MFC in
paper applications

Targeted applications:
– Strength additive for paper and board
– Barrier material for replacement of aluminium foils
– Bio-nanocomposites
– Nanopapers

Also:
– High-tech materials
– Aerogels
– Food applications
– Misc.
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The next step…
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The next step…
 Development of a demonstration scale movable MFC factory to
enable full scale trials at e.g. paper mills
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Idea pitch 2013-02-14
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Contact information
Mikael Ankerfors – mikael.ankerfors@innventia.com
Tom Lindström – tom.lindstrom@innventia.com
Mikael–
Ankerfors,
Daniel Söderberg, Tom Lindström, Fredik Rosén, Per Tomani
Daniel Söderberg
daniel.soderberg@innventia.com
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Magnus Björkman – magnus.bjorkman@innventia.com