nova-Institute
nova-Institute 
On February 2-3, 2021 during the 2nd International Conference on Cellulose Fibers as an online event organized by the nova-Institute GmbH, Hürth/Germany, the "Cellulose Fiber Innovation of the Year" title will be awarded for the first time to those for a development of new technologies and applications in the cellulose industry.
The 6 nominees are:
• Compostable fiber products from agricultural hemp and flax waste - Bast Fibre Tech (Canada): compostable fiber products produced out of agricultural waste from hemp and flax processing. Using biogenic waste from the production of fast-growing crops instead of using wood or fossil resources is environmentally and economically more sustainable. Applications could be toilet paper and recyclable, thus flushable cleaning wipes.
• Cellulose nanofiber assisted biomimetic aerogels for EMI shielding - Empa – Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Switzerland): cellulose-based aerogels with silver nanowires. The flexible composite blocks high-frequency electromagnetic radiation.
• Plastic-free absorbent hygiene products - Kelheim Fibres (Germany): a plant-based fiber solution for absorbent hygiene products. It consists of 3 layers with different functionalities: a soft and breathable upper layer of Olea fiber which is water repellent and thus keeps the skin dry, a second layer out of fibers with a Y shaped cross-section which, thanks to the capillary channels thus created, ensures an efficient distribution of liquids and an absorbent core.
• Textile fiber based on paper grade pulp - Metsä Spring (Finland): a more energy-efficient process based on a new solvent family to produce man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF). Using ionic liquids, the MMCF can be produced from paper-grade pulp.
• FibriTech – a porous and light material from cellulose for soil-free farming - OrganicDisposables (Poland): FibriTech is a new process for the production of porous and light material from cellulose and lignocellulose. A mixture of fibers can be used, including waste and recycled fibers.
• Cellulose-based Foam by Stora Enso – a lightweight cellulose-based foam for packaging - Stora Enso (Sweden): It is designed as an eco-friendly alternative for fossil-based packaging and cushioning materials such as expanded polystyrene or polyethylene.
The “2nd International Conference on Cellulose Fibers” will cover the entire value chain from lignocellulosic feedstock, dissolving pulp, cellulose fibers – such as rayon, viscose, Modal, lyocell or new developments – to a wide range of applications, woven textiles (clothing) and nonwovens (wipes and technical applications). All these sectors have significantly gained momentum over the last few years.
• Compostable fiber products from agricultural hemp and flax waste - Bast Fibre Tech (Canada): compostable fiber products produced out of agricultural waste from hemp and flax processing. Using biogenic waste from the production of fast-growing crops instead of using wood or fossil resources is environmentally and economically more sustainable. Applications could be toilet paper and recyclable, thus flushable cleaning wipes.
• Cellulose nanofiber assisted biomimetic aerogels for EMI shielding - Empa – Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Switzerland): cellulose-based aerogels with silver nanowires. The flexible composite blocks high-frequency electromagnetic radiation.
• Plastic-free absorbent hygiene products - Kelheim Fibres (Germany): a plant-based fiber solution for absorbent hygiene products. It consists of 3 layers with different functionalities: a soft and breathable upper layer of Olea fiber which is water repellent and thus keeps the skin dry, a second layer out of fibers with a Y shaped cross-section which, thanks to the capillary channels thus created, ensures an efficient distribution of liquids and an absorbent core.
• Textile fiber based on paper grade pulp - Metsä Spring (Finland): a more energy-efficient process based on a new solvent family to produce man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF). Using ionic liquids, the MMCF can be produced from paper-grade pulp.
• FibriTech – a porous and light material from cellulose for soil-free farming - OrganicDisposables (Poland): FibriTech is a new process for the production of porous and light material from cellulose and lignocellulose. A mixture of fibers can be used, including waste and recycled fibers.
• Cellulose-based Foam by Stora Enso – a lightweight cellulose-based foam for packaging - Stora Enso (Sweden): It is designed as an eco-friendly alternative for fossil-based packaging and cushioning materials such as expanded polystyrene or polyethylene.
The “2nd International Conference on Cellulose Fibers” will cover the entire value chain from lignocellulosic feedstock, dissolving pulp, cellulose fibers – such as rayon, viscose, Modal, lyocell or new developments – to a wide range of applications, woven textiles (clothing) and nonwovens (wipes and technical applications). All these sectors have significantly gained momentum over the last few years.
