Design of nano and micro fibrillated cellulose production processes from forest industrial wastes in a multiproduct biorefinery

Abstract

The need to develop biobased materials from renewable feedstocks requires the previous design and assessment of the production processes of these promising new value-added products. Nano and micro- fibrillated cellulose (NFC and MFC, respectively) are two of these new products that could revolutionize the biobased industry. In the present work, the production of NFC and CMF was analyzed in a multiproduct biorefinery from eucalyptus sawdust. It was determined that it is possible to obtain 308 kg of NFC or MFC, 169 kg of xylose syrup, and about 220 kg of lignin per ton of dry sawdust. The investment required for the analyzed alternatives of NFC and MFC is between 40–44 million USD and the NPV values are between 30 and 60 million USD. The most attractive alternative is the production of NFC, xylose syrup, and lignin (alternative III of NFC). The most important production costs correspond to enzymes and energy (for NFC and MFC, respectively). Besides, it was determined that with the proposed schemes for a sawdust availability of < 20,000 dry ton per year, it is possible to obtain NPV values ˃ 0.