SHOW PREVIEW
The Success Story of Cellulosic Fibers Continues The Annual Conference Will Provide Insights on the Current Trends of Circular Economy, Recycling and Sustainable Carbon Cycles By Geoff Fisher, European Editor, IFJ
atural fibers, such as cotton and
will not be able to satisfy N hemp, the increasing global demand for more sustainable and renewable fibers. Cellulosic fibers are undoubtedly part of the solution. Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls and is a natural polymer. It is both bio-based and biodegradable, even in marine environments, where its degradation does not result in the production of any microplastic. Cellulosic fibers are at the forefront in the race to replace single-use plastic products. For example, 100% cellulose-based recyclable barrier papers, cellulose foam for packaging, wet wipes and hygiene products are already in the market or under development. The various production technologies for extracting cellulose from plants can also be used for the recycling of cellulose, which ensures circularity of the material. At the same time, innovations using alternative raw materials, in particular textile waste, used clothing and agricultural residues, are also gaining ground.
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The audience at the Cellulose Fibres Conference 2023.
Nova-Institute
With a compound annual growth rate of 5-10%, cellulosic fibers have been a major success story within the textile market over the past decade, with similar growth rates projected in future. Meanwhile, the continued growth of cellulose-based nonwovens, packaging and hygiene products continues to push the boundaries of fibers beyond the horizon of traditional textile applications. Sustainability, fiber-to-fiber recycling and alternative fiber sources are some of the key topics of the next Cellulose Fibres Conference, to be held in Cologne,
Germany, on March 13−14, 2024 and online. The two-day event, which includes an exhibition area, will cover the entire value chain, from lignocellulose, chemical pulp, and cellulosic fibers such as viscose, modal and lyocell, to new developments across a wide range of applications, including textiles from renewable fibers and nonwovens such as wet wipes, as well as new areas such as composites, hygiene, packaging, and nanocellulose in the food industry. Organized by Nova-Institute, an independent German research institute founded in 1994 that offers research and consultancy with a focus on the transition of the chemical and material industry to renewable carbon, this annual conference will highlight some of the most successful cellulose-based solutions currently on the market or planned for the near future. First held in February 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic struck, this next edition will be the fifth in the series – a unique event in the global cellulosic fibers industry’s calendar. Last year’s conference attracted around 230 participants from 27 countries. Pertti Nousiainen of NousFibre Consulting, Finland, said, “The Cellulose
