NeoCel

NeoCel – Novel processes for sustainable cellulose-based materials

Project details

Type of project: Research & Innovation Action
Project focus: Textile
Feedstock origin: Forestry waste
Feedstock type: Lignin & wood residues

Project period: 1 September 2016 - 31 December 2019
Status: Completed
CBE JU Contribution: € 1 934 233,25
Call identifier: H2020-BBI-PPP-2015-02

Summary

As the world’s population increases, it needs more textiles. A source with great potential for long term increase in production volumes are man-made cellulosic fibres.

The NeoCel project will develop innovative and techno-economically feasible processes for producing high quality textile fibres from reactive high cellulose pulps. It will enhance the use of cellulose from sustainable sources, with a special focus on textiles.

NeoCel will reduce the environmental impact and occupational health issues relating to man-made cellulose fibre production and promote sustainably produced, good quality man-made cellulosic fibres for the textile and fashion industries.

To develop innovative and techno-economically feasible alkaline processes for sustainable production of high quality textile fibres from reactive highcellulose pulps in connection to pulp mills.
Enhance the use of cellulose from sustainable sources for material applications with special focus on textiles
Reduce the environmental impact and occupational health issues related to man-made cellulose fibre production
Promote the availability of sustainably produced, good quality man-made cellulosic fibres for textile and fashion industry

Developing regenerated cellulose textile fibres with lower environmental impact than any other type of existing textile fibre. The developed fibres to be highly cost competitive due to at least 15% lower production cost compared to standard viscose.
To strengthen the market position of regenerated cellulose fibres for textile application by an expected reduction of production cost of at least 15% for the developed process in the project. The market share is expected to increase to 15% even if the total market for textile fibres is also expected to strongly increase.
Achievement of strength properties in the range of cotton and outperforming standard Asian viscose: novel regeneration chemistries in the first spin bath enabling both improved recovery of dope chemicals and facilitating prolonged stretching leading to higher strength and addition of strength increasing compounds.
Competitive production of regenerated cellulose fibres by system integration with the pulp mill, energy optimisation, recovery/regeneration of chemicals and better use of pulp mill side streams.