Patent application for waste-to-fibre production process

ASX-listed biotechnology company Nanollose and Grasim Industries have filed a joint patent application for a novel process for environmentally-friendly fibres.

The patent filing follows a collaboration agreement between the two companies announced in February last year. They have developed manufacturing processes for a lyocell fibre named nullarbor, which is claimed to be stronger than silk and stronger than regular lyocell, and made from microbial cellulose rather than tree pulp. It is a “tree-free” viscose rayon fibre, with uses in fibre, yarn, fabrics and garments.

“We are extremely pleased with the progress of our collaboration with Grasim and Birla Cellulose which has already delivered this patent application. The nullarbor fibre produced by the team at Birla Cellulose has exceeded our expectations, and we now have a fibre that is not only more eco-friendly but has superior properties over conventional tree-based fibres.” said Dr Wayne Best, Executive Chairman of Nanollose, in a statement.

“We are very much looking forward to commencing the pilot production and presenting textiles made from this remarkable fibre to the fashion industry.”

Birla Cellulose is a division of Grasim Industries. Grasim is listed on the National Stock Exchange of India, Bombay Stock Exchange and Luxembourg Stock Exchange, and is part of Aditya Birla Group.

“This is an exciting development in the area of next generation alternative feedstock and we are looking forward to scaling up this technology in collaboration with Nanollose,” said Dr. Aspi Patel, Chief Technology Officer for the Aditya Birla Group and Birla Cellulose.

Nanollose was founded in 2014 and uses a fermentation process to create “microbial cellulose from industrial organic and agricultural waste.” It listed on the ASX in 2016.

Picture: https://smallcaps.com.au

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