Canadian Biomass Magazine

Resolute, Mercer announce joint biomaterial venture

June 23, 2014
By Canadian Biomass

June 23, 2014, Montreal, Que. - Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced the launch of a new research and development joint venture, Performance BioFilaments Inc. Jointly owned with Mercer International Inc., 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.

June 23, 2014, Montreal, Que. – Resolute Forest Products Inc.
announced the launch of a new research and development joint venture,
Performance BioFilaments Inc. Jointly owned with Mercer International Inc.,
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 Chief Executive Officer. "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."

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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 to alternatives.

 

FPInnovations Inc., one of Canada's leading scientific
organizations 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, Quebec – the world's first five-metric-ton-per-day cellulose
filament demonstration plant that started up earlier this year.

 

For more information, please visit www.performancebiofilaments.com.


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