CSA reveals standard on cellulosic nanomaterials

June 19, 2014, Toronto, Ont. – Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group, a leading
standards development, testing and certification organization, has released
Canada’s first national standard on cellulosic nanomaterials: CSA Z5100-14,
Cellulosic nanomaterials – Test methods for characterization. The new standard
provides over 20 test methods allowing nanocellulose materials to be identified
and characterized according to unique properties to encourage introduction into
global markets.

Cellulosic nanomaterials are a sustainable, biodegradable
and considered to be a non-toxic material extracted from cellulose sources such
as wood pulp. They can be divided into two distinct groups: cellulose
nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). Nanocellulose is a new
class of nanotechnology and has a wide variety of commercial applications.

“The potential uses for nanocellulose materials are truly
amazing,” said Bonnie Rose, President Standards, CSA Group. “CSA Group is
dedicated to promoting a more sustainable world, and we are proud to contribute
to cutting edge technology that will offer new and innovative ways to make
products greener and safer.”

Canada is a world leader in the production of CNCs and is
committed to the development and application of both CNCs and CNFs. CNCs
consist of highly crystalline basic structure of cellulosic fibres and have a
very high tensile strength (>130 GPa). They can be used to reinforce
plastic, make films that are transparent and produce colour and iridescence.
CNCs can also be used to improve the properties of coatings, adhesives and
textiles. CNCs have four main potential industrial applications: paints and
coatings, films and barriers, textiles, and composites. CNFs which consist of
both crystalline and amorphous structure of cellulosic fibres can be used to
replace man-made fibres and can be made into a gel with high potential for
products like packaging materials, in food as a replacement for carbohydrates
used as thickeners and in pharmaceuticals as a water absorbent gel in diapers
or bandages.

Canada will also be leading the development of a technical
report on CNCs. The ISO work item began in May 2014, and Canada is providing a
Project Leader from the National Research Council of Canada, on behalf of
Standards Council of Canada. The new ISO Project Group, a working group
subgroup of ISO/TC229, Nanotechnologies, will review methods for the characterization
of CNCs. The technical report will assist future development of international
standards for products using nanocellulose materials with liaison between
ISO/TC 229 and ISO/TC 6, Paper, board and pulps, providing a path for entry
into global markets.

Both the publication of the national standard, CSA Z5100-14
and approval of a new work item at ISO, via CSA Group and Standards Council of
Canada, were made possible in part by the financial support of Natural
Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service.