Raw Material Refinement
The process commences with the refinement of raw materials, which include renewably sourced pulp or residual materials, such as leather, textiles, or agricultural cropping by-products. These materials are converted into micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC). This step is essential, as it sets the foundation for a process that is not only materially unique but also lends itself to industrial scalability.
Environmental and Industrial Advantages
Spinnova’s technology creates textile fibers while using significantly less water and with lower CO2 emissions compared to e.g. conventional cotton. The process does not use any harmful chemicals, resulting in a safer and more sustainable process. This method can be adapted for various industrial applications beyond textiles. Additionally, SPINNOVA® fiberss can be recycled in the same process without losing quality.
Fiber Spinning and Finishing
Through Spinnova’s proprietary technology, the MFC suspensions are spun into fibers. These fibers then undergo various finishing steps, which may include mechanical or chemical crimping, fiber finishing, hydrophobization, opening, and carding. The final stage involves spinning the prepared fibers into yarn, ready to be used in textile applications.
BioLUSH Fibers
Traditional hemp fiber production relies on heavy mechanical processing and refinement to separate bast fibers, yielding course, variable fibers that require intensive chemical and carding/spinning treatments.
In Bio-LUSH, the spinning process begins with lignin-containing pulp derived from hemp shives, produced at Stockholm University. Through mechanical micro-fibrillation, controlled suspension formulation, and a spinning process that does not rely on chemically dissolving the cellulose, we can generate textile-grade fibers. This process allows hemp (or similar) to become a processable feedstock for robust fibers without the need for harsh chemicals, reduced water, and a lower carbon-foot print compared to traditional cotton and viscose.
Further testing of the fibers for antimicrobial properties is in progress.
