Nanollose and Birla extend collaboration
21/03/2023
The two companies began working together in 2020 and filed a joint patent in January 2021 for a high tenacity ‘tree-free’ lyocell. In February 2022, the first pilot production of the novel lyocell fibre was completed and yielded 260 kg of Nullarbor-20 fibre, so called because it is made from a blend of 20% microbial cellulose and 80% wood pulp. This fibre has since been sent to mills and manufacturers to be tested as a yarn, fabric and garment.
The new agreement prolongs the partnership two more years, to 2025, to bring the new fibre to market. Nanollose’s fermentation process is said to transform a range of waste and by-products from the food and agricultural industries, including coconut.
This announcement follows up on Nullarbor fibre picking up the top prize as Cellulose Fibre Innovation of 2023, a competition organised by German sustainable research institute Nova earlier this month. Renewcell’s Circulose took second prize and India-based GenCrest was third for its Vybrana fibre derived from banana farming waste.
Image courtesy Nanollose
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