Highly Fire Retardant Coating Developed From Nanocellulose
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(from Nanowerk News) A spray- or brush-applied fire retardant coating made from nanocellulose is well suited for improving the fire properties of wood-based materials. It reduces the access of oxygen to the surface, thus significantly inhibiting combustion.
The coating is set to revolutionize the market for coatings used in the fire retardant treatment of construction materials. VTT, Finland, has found an effective production method for the coating through piloting and is currently seeking a partner to commercialize the technology.
The fire retardant coating is based on HefCel technology (High-Consistency Enzymatic Fibrillation of Cellulose) developed and patented by VTT. HefCel technology enables the efficient and cost-effective production of nanocellulose from wood-based pulp. Combining HefCel nanocellulose with organic pigments forms a spray- or brush-applied, airtight film that prevents the access of oxygen through the coating and at the same time significantly inhibits combustion.
The idea was developed by VTT research scientists Vesa Kunnari and Jaakko Pere as part of the Design Driven Value Chains in the World of Cellulose (DWoC) project.
With its new piloting equipment VTT is now able to manufacture bigger HefCel batches. The research scientists were pleased with the quality of the first trial batch and the energy-efficiency of the production method. "We have many more good ideas about how to simplify the process and make it even more efficient," says Senior Scientist Panu Lahtinen from VTT.
Source: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
