The nanocellulose challenge

The forest industry is seeking new technological solutions and products. One very interesting possibility is the production and utilisation of cellulose nanofibers for new types of materials and novel applications. These new opportunities are being developed at the Finnish Centre of Nanosellulosic Technologies launched in spring 2008 by VTT, Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) and the UPM-Kymmene Corporation. The centre employs about 40 persons, and the project portfolio, which addresses production technology, physical and chemical modification, characterization and novel applications, is financed by public and private investments. Nanocellulosic materials are expected to have their first application areas within paper industry products. One of the aims is also to create new application and product openings outside the paper sector, which requires the creation of novel cross-disciplinary scientific knowledge of the fundamental material characteristics as well as of chemical and biotechnical modification of nanocellulose fibers. These are the main aims of a public cross-disciplinarily project at the centre called Tailoring of the Nanocellulosic Materials for Industrial Applications and is jointly run by TKK, VTT and ten industrial partners.