Marcus Wallenberg Prize for processing wood biomass into textile fibre

The international prize recognises, encourages and stimulates pathbreaking scientific achievements that contribute significantly to broadening knowledge and to technical development within the fields of importance to forestry and forest industries.

The sustainable chemistry research group led by Prof. Kilpelainen developed superbase ionic liquid solvents for dissolution of wood biomass, e.g. bleached or unbleached pulp or recycled cellulose pulp. Prof. Sixta and his team developed the ionic liquid-based fibre shaping process based on dry-jet wet spinning.

“This unique collaboration has resulted in novel sustainable concept of textile fibre production from wood. The innovation is expected to result in a large range of new product and business opportunities for the forest industry," said Johanna Buchert, chairperson of the Marcus Wallenberg Prize Selection Committee, in a press release.

The main processes to produce man-made cellulose textile fibres are the viscose process, where cellulose is solubilized using alkali and carbon disulphide and the Lyocell process, where N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) is used to dissolve cellulose.

The viscose process has, however, become environmentally controversial due to the use of toxic carbon disulphide as the main reagent. The Lyocell process on the other hand is hampered by the instability of the NMMO.

These challenges have led to extensive research on different solvent systems for cellulose to produce regenerated cellulose fibres. Ionic liquids have gained interest as green alternatives for organic solvents in different processes.

Ionic liquids are salts that can be melted below 100 degree C and have unique properties including low vapour pressure, high thermal stability, and high dissolving capability of different organic and inorganic substances.