Resolute Opens Quebec Cellulose Filament Plant

Resolute Forest Products Inc. has opened its commercial-scale plant for the production of cellulose filaments at its Kénogami paper mill in Saguenay, QC. Cellulose filaments, also known as nanofibrillated cellulose, are a novel biomaterial derived from wood fibre, which can be used as a natural additive in many products to improve technical performance. The product provides a significant step into new markets for Resolute. It is mechanically processed without chemicals or enzymes and is manufactured entirely from renewable sources, resulting in a low carbon footprint. Among other things, the company has seen promising test results for use in concrete, where the additive could improve performance in infrastructure projects, and in packaging applications, where it can be used to make 100 per cent biosourced and fully recyclable translucent film, displacing traditional plastic film.