Resolute Forest Products Inc., Montreal, Que., Canada, this week announced the launch of a new research and development joint venture, Performance BioFilaments Inc. Jointly owned with Mercer International Inc., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Performance BioFilaments will work to develop commercial applications for cellulose filaments, a new source of sustainable biomaterial made from wood fiber that can improve the strength and durability of many commercial and consumer products found on the market today.

 

"Today's launch highlights our ongoing effort to drive innovation in the forest products industry," said Richard Garneau, president and CEO of Resolute Forest Products. "Resolute will provide funding and expertise to Performance BioFilaments, supporting the venture's research and development capabilities that aim to bring sustainable products to a broad spectrum of industries."

 

Jimmy S.H. Lee, president and chairman of Mercer, noted that "commercializing cellulose filaments represents a compelling business opportunity developed through our focus on collaborative innovation and takes one of our initiatives to the next level. We are excited to be working jointly with Resolute, which allows us to leverage our respective global research knowledge and resources to implement the commercialization process for this high potential material."

 

Performance BioFilaments will build upon the significant investment made by FPInnovations in technology development and production through its current C$43.1 million cellulose filaments project. All of the know-how gained from their project, as well as commercial development quantities of cellulose filaments, will be available to Performance BioFilaments for its commercialization efforts.

 

Cellulose filaments are made from wood fiber, one of nature's most abundant materials, and are used to add strength, stability, flexibility, and longevity to a variety of materials, including cement, composites, and coatings.

 

"The strength of cellulose filaments can be compared to that of synthetic reinforcement fibers made from non-renewable petroleum inputs," said Gurminder Minhas, managing director of Performance BioFilaments. "The difference is that cellulose filaments are entirely renewable, with a very low carbon footprint. We're thrilled to debut this company with the launch of this kind of revolutionary product."

 

Cellulose filaments are adaptable for use in the aviation, marine, aerospace, electronics, manufacturing, and construction sectors, as well as in paint and consumer products. Their unique, ribbon-like composition has the potential to improve the quality of various materials, and the product is considered to have significant cost advantages compared with alternatives.

 

FPInnovations Inc., a Canadian scientific organization working in forest products research and development, will produce the material. Performance BioFilaments will have access to all current and future cellulose filament research being advanced at a third-party mill in Trois-Rivières, Que., Canada—the world's first 5 metric tpd cellulose filament demonstration plant that started up earlier this year.

 

Performance BioFilaments will build upon the significant investment made by FPInnovations in technology development and production through its current C$43.1 million cellulose filaments project. All of the know-how gained from their project, as well as commercial development quantities of cellulose filaments, will be available to Performance BioFilaments for its commercialization efforts.

 

More information is available online.